🔗 Share this article

MTG enthusiasts consistently enjoy tribe-based decks — who hasn't built a goblin deck before? — while the upcoming ATLA crossover set revives 2 well-known examples that fit perfectly with its setting.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

One initial ability, named "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar set which grants boosts each time additional creatures with this type enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain strength as a player controls more of them in play.

The Return for the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have been appeared sporadically across newer releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — but that ends in ATLA, in which the feature is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must gather a lot of companions during his quest to restore peace across the four nations, and there's no more fitting method to reflect this in an Magic set.

Revealed Cards Showcase

After the initial set announcement, below is a look at one Allies and a Shrines card in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

This character stands as a popular supporting figure from ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe who resided in the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined in a disaster, which left him unable to walk.

Because of his father's prowess in engineering, he can soar through the skies with a flying device, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial contest.

The card Teo reproduces Teo's passion of the skies along with his tribe's reliance on gliders by allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying creature, and additionally strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, this appears as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you have.

It also removes one more point whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful card, considering its low cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback of Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH is that Shrines are always Legendary, but this card is effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond sets have been garnering a lot of criticism by the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what MTG needs.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards set to be released November 21st.