🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering fans often embrace tribal decks — who has not assembled a zombie deck before? — and the upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing two beloved mechanics that align seamlessly to its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first ability, known as "Allies," first debuted with a Zendikar which provides bonuses each time additional permanents with the Ally subtype enter the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment subtype that originated in Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, these enchantments also gain strength when a player has additional Shrines in play.

The Comeback for the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have been shown up here and there across newer releases, Allies subtype was far less common — until this changes in ATLA, in which this mechanic gets prominently used.

Aang has to recruit numerous allies during his journey to bring back peace across the four nations, and it's no better method to reflect that in an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

After its first card reveal, here is a look at one Allies and one Shrines card in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

This character stands as one cherished supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe that resided at an Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's prowess in engineering, he is able to fly in the air with his glider, even dares the Avatar in an aerial race.

This card Teo reproduces his love for flying along with the Earth Tribe's use of gliders through allowing you loot whenever a player attacks with a flying unit, while also strengthening your creatures with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it is represented as the card The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

It furthermore drains one more life anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

It appears to be a strong addition, given the card's cheap cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

A big drawback for Shrine-based decks outside of Commander are the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently while crossover sets have been receiving significant hate from fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.