🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans often enjoy tribal tactics — what player hasn't built an elf deck before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back two well-known examples that fit perfectly to the setting.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One first ability, called "Ally," was introduced in the Zendikar set and gives bonuses whenever additional permanents bearing the Ally subtype come onto the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment type which first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise become strength when a player has additional of them on the battlefield.

A Return for Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally across newer sets, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — until that ends in ATLA, where the mechanic is central.

The protagonist Aang has to gather numerous allies on his quest to restore peace across the world, and there's no better method to reflect this through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

Following the initial card announcement, below is a look of one Allies plus one Shrine card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a popular minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that resided at an Air Temple following his village was ruined in a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Because of his father's expertise in mechanics, he is able to glide in the air using his glider, and dares Aang in an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's passion of flying and his tribe's use of gliders through letting the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks using an airborne creature, and additionally boosting your team via counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his home, this is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you have.

It furthermore drains an additional life whenever another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful addition, given the card's low mana cost and good ETB ability.

A big drawback of Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH are that these cards are typically Legendary, but this card is great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

At a time when crossover sets are receiving significant criticism from the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.