🔗 Share this article

MTG fans often adopt tribal decks — what player has not built a zombie deck once or twice? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release is reintroducing two well-known examples which fit seamlessly with the theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One initial mechanic, known as "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar set which gives bonuses whenever more permanents bearing the Ally type come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is an enchantment subtype that first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, Shrines also become power when a player owns more Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback for Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have been shown up here and there across recent releases, Allies mechanic has been far less common — but this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature is central.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble many companions during his journey to restore peace across the world, and there's no more fitting way to represent that through a Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following the first card reveal, here are previews of an Allies plus one Shrines cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

This character is a beloved minor character in ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe that resided at the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined in a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Because of his father's prowess with engineering, Teo can fly in the air with his glider, even challenges Aang to an aerial race.

This card Teo represents Teo's fondness of flying along with the Earth Tribe's use of gliders by allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack with an airborne unit, while additionally boosting your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine

Regarding his home, this appears in the card The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you control.

It furthermore removes one more point anytime a Shrine enters the field.

This looks like an impactful addition, considering its low cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

A big weakness for Shrine decks in formats besides Commander is the fact that these cards are always Legendary, but this card can be great when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

At a time while crossover sets have been receiving significant backlash from the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar could be exactly just what MTG requires.

Preview period has begun, with all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.