🔗 Share this article

MTG players consistently adopt tribal strategies — who has not built a zombie deck before? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing two well-known examples that align perfectly to its theme.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One initial ability, known as "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar which provides buffs whenever additional creatures with the Ally type enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, Shrines also become power when you owns more of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback of Allies Ability

Although Shrines have been shown up sporadically in recent sets, the Ally mechanic has been seldom seen — but this ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic gets central.

Aang has to gather a lot of friends on his quest to restore peace to the four nations, so there's no more fitting way to show that in an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following the first set announcement, below is a look at an Allies and a Shrines cards from the new ATLA release.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a beloved minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe who resided in an Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's skill with engineering, he can glide through the skies with his glider, and challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's passion for flying and the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines by letting you loot each time you attack with an airborne creature, and additionally boosting your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his home, this is represented in a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life when entering the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you have.

It furthermore drains one more life anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like a powerful addition, considering its low cost plus valuable ETB ability.

One big drawback of Shrine decks outside of Commander is that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination with another Shrine, that drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time when crossover sets have been garnering significant backlash by fans, an iconic series like Avatar can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards will be released on Nov. 21.