🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering players often enjoy tribe-based tactics — what player hasn't constructed an elf strategy at some point? — and this upcoming ATLA crossover set revives two popular examples which match seamlessly to its theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first ability, known as "Ally," was introduced in a Zendikar set and gives buffs whenever more permanents bearing the Ally subtype enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also gain power as you has more Shrines in play.

A Return of Allies Mechanic

Although Shrines have been appeared sporadically across recent sets, Allies mechanic has been far less common — but this ends with ATLA, where this feature gets prominently used.

Aang must recruit a lot of allies on his quest to restore peace across the four nations, and there's no more fitting method to show this through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After its initial card reveal, here is a look of one Allies and one Shrine card from the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is a cherished minor character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from the Earth Tribe that resided in an Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's skill in engineering, Teo can soar in the air with a flying device, even dares Aang to a flying contest.

This card Teo showcases Teo's love of flying along with his tribe's use on gliders by allowing you loot each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, while additionally boosting your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, it is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total when coming into play, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

The card also removes an additional life whenever a Shrine enters the field.

This looks like a powerful addition, given its low mana cost and valuable ETB ability.

One major drawback of Shrine strategies outside of Commander is the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but this card is effective in combination alongside another Shrine, that drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Timely Crossover

Currently while crossover products are receiving significant hate from fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards will be launched November 21st.