🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans frequently enjoy tribe-based strategies — what player hasn't built an elf strategy once or twice? — while this forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release brings back 2 popular examples that align seamlessly with the setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial mechanic, known as "Allies," first debuted with a Zendikar and grants buffs each time additional creatures with the Ally type enter the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based subtype which originated with Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also gain power as you owns more of them in play.

A Comeback for Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally in newer sets, Allies subtype has been much rarer — but this changes with ATLA, where the mechanic is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble many companions on the journey to bring back balance across the four nations, and it's no better way to show that in a Magic set.

Revealed Card Showcase

After its initial card reveal, here is a look at an Allies plus one Shrines card in the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is a cherished minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from the Earth Tribe who resided in the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined in a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Because of his father's skill with mechanics, Teo is able to soar in the air with his glider, and dares the Avatar in a flying race.

The card Teo reproduces his fondness of flying along with his tribe's reliance on gliders by allowing you draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying creature, while additionally boosting your creatures via counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his home, it is represented in a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card also drains one more life anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

This appears to be a strong addition, given the card's low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

One major drawback of Shrine strategies in formats besides Commander is the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time while crossover products have been receiving significant criticism from the community, an iconic series such as Avatar can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, and all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.