Magic: The Gathering players frequently enjoy tribe-based decks — what player has not assembled a zombie strategy once or twice? — while this forthcoming ATLA crossover set brings back 2 well-known examples that align seamlessly to its theme.
One first mechanic, called "Allies," was debuted in the Zendikar set and gives boosts each time additional creatures bearing the Ally subtype come onto the battlefield.
Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based type which first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also become abilities as you owns additional of them in play.
While Shrine cards have appeared here and there in recent sets, the Ally subtype has been far less common — until this ends with ATLA, in which this mechanic is central.
The protagonist Aang has to assemble many friends during the journey to bring back balance across the world, and there's no more fitting way to reflect this through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.
Following the first set reveal, here is a look at one Allies plus a Shrines cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.
Teo is a popular supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.
Due to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo is able to soar through the skies using his glider, even dares the Avatar to a flying contest.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's love of flying along with the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines by letting the player draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying unit, while also pumping your team via counters at the same time.
Speaking of his dwelling, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total upon coming into play, based on the number Shrine cards you have.
It also removes an additional point whenever a Shrine enters the field.
This appears to be an impactful addition, considering the card's cheap mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.
One big drawback of Shrine decks outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.
At a time when Universes Beyond products have been garnering significant hate by the community, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG requires.
Preview period is already here, and the full set will be released November 21st.
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