🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans frequently adopt tribe-based tactics — who has not constructed a goblin deck before? — and this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 popular mechanics that fit perfectly with the flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first ability, named "Allies," first debuted in a Zendikar and provides boosts whenever additional permanents with the Ally type come onto the field.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents an enchantment type which originated in Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also become power as you has more of them on the battlefield.

The Return for the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have shown up sporadically in newer sets, Allies mechanic has been seldom seen — but this ends in ATLA, in which the feature gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must recruit a lot of companions on his quest to bring back peace to the world, so there's no more fitting way to show that through an Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

After the initial card announcement, below are a look at an Allies and a Shrine cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

Teo is a popular minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe who resided at the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's prowess with engineering, Teo is able to soar in the air with his glider, and challenges the Avatar in a flying contest.

The card Teo reproduces Teo's passion of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks using a flying creature, and also boosting your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's home, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life total when entering the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

It also drains one more life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful card, considering its low mana cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

A big drawback for Shrine-based strategies outside of Commander are the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, however this card can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond sets are receiving a lot of backlash from fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

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