🔗 Share this article

MTG players often enjoy tribal tactics — who has not assembled a goblin strategy before? — while the upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two popular examples which match perfectly to its flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

One first mechanic, known as "Ally," was debuted with a Zendikar and grants bonuses whenever more permanents with this subtype come onto the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents another enchantment subtype which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also gain strength as a player controls additional Shrines in play.

The Return for Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have been appeared sporadically in newer releases, the Ally subtype has been far less common — but this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must recruit many friends during his journey to bring back balance to the four nations, and it's no more fitting method to represent this in an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After the first card announcement, here are a look at one Ally plus a Shrine card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a beloved minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom that lived in an Air Temple after his village was ruined by a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's prowess with engineering, Teo can glide through the skies with his glider, even challenges Aang to a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his love for flying and his tribe's use of gliders through letting you loot each time you attack using an airborne creature, while also boosting your team via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Regarding his home, this is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total when entering the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore removes an additional point whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It appears to be a powerful card, considering the card's cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

A major weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, however this card can be effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently when crossover products are receiving a lot of backlash from fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, with the full set will be released on Nov. 21.