🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans often enjoy tribal tactics — what player has not assembled a goblin deck once or twice? — while the forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set revives two well-known examples which match perfectly with the flavor.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

One initial mechanic, named "Ally," first introduced in a Zendikar and provides boosts whenever additional permanents bearing the Ally type come onto the field.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is another enchantment subtype that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, Shrines also become strength when a player controls additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Comeback of Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have been appeared here and there in recent releases, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — until that changes with ATLA, in which the mechanic is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of companions on his journey to restore peace across the world, so it's no more fitting method to reflect that through a Magic set.

Revealed Card Showcase

After its first set reveal, here are previews of an Allies and a Shrines card from the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character is a beloved minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom that lived in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's prowess with engineering, Teo can glide through the skies using his glider, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's fondness for flying along with his tribe's use of flying machines through letting you loot whenever you attack with an airborne unit, and additionally pumping your creatures with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life upon entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore drains an additional life whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

It appears to be a strong card, given the card's cheap cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A big drawback of Shrine decks outside of EDH is the fact that these cards are always Legendary, however this card can be great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond sets have been garnering a lot of backlash from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, with the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.