🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering players often embrace tribal decks — what player has not built a goblin deck at some point? — while the forthcoming ATLA crossover release revives two popular mechanics that fit perfectly with its theme.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The first mechanic, named "Allies," was introduced with a Zendikar set and gives buffs each time additional permanents bearing this subtype come onto the field.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that first appeared in Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise gain strength as a player controls additional of them in play.

A Comeback for Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have shown up here and there across newer releases, the Ally subtype was much rarer — until this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit a lot of friends during the journey to bring back balance to the world, so it's no better way to represent that in a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Card Preview

Following its initial card announcement, below are a look of an Allies plus one Shrines card in the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as a beloved supporting character from ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom that resided at the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's prowess in mechanics, he is able to glide in the air using a flying device, even dares the Avatar in an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his passion for the skies along with his tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing the player loot each time you attack using an airborne unit, and additionally pumping your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, it is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

The card also removes an additional life whenever a Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be a powerful card, given its cheap cost plus valuable ETB effect.

One big drawback of Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander is that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but this card can be effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

At a time when crossover products have been garnering significant criticism by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards set to be launched November 21st.