🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts consistently embrace tribal tactics — what player has not built an elf strategy once or twice? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release revives 2 beloved examples which fit seamlessly with the flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first ability, named "Allies," first debuted with the Zendikar set which gives buffs whenever additional permanents bearing this type come onto the field.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is an enchantment type that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, these enchantments also become power as a player controls additional of them on the battlefield.

The Return of the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have been appeared occasionally in recent sets, the Ally mechanic has been much rarer — but this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature gets heavily featured.

Aang has to assemble a lot of allies during his quest to bring back balance to the four nations, so it's no better way to represent that through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Showcase

After its initial set announcement, here is a look of an Ally and one Shrines cards from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is a beloved supporting figure from ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom that resided at the Northern Air Temple after his home was ruined by a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Because of his father's skill with engineering, Teo is able to soar in the air using his glider, even dares the Avatar to a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his fondness for flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders through letting the player draw and discard each time you attack using an airborne creature, while additionally pumping your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, this is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card also removes an additional life anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like a strong card, given the card's low cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A big weakness for Shrine strategies outside of Commander are that these cards are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

Currently while crossover sets have been receiving significant hate by the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, with all cards will be launched November 21st.