🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently embrace tribe-based tactics — who has not assembled an elf deck at some point? — and this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release brings back two beloved mechanics that match perfectly with its theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first ability, named "Allies," was introduced in the Zendikar set and grants buffs whenever more creatures bearing the Ally type come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents another enchantment subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also become strength when you controls additional Shrines in play.

A Comeback of Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have shown up sporadically across recent sets, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — but that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature gets central.

Aang must recruit many friends during the quest to restore balance to the four nations, so there's no better method to show this through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After its first card announcement, below is previews of an Ally and one Shrines cards from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as one cherished minor figure from ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom who lived at an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's expertise in mechanics, he can soar through the skies using a flying device, and dares the Avatar in a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his fondness of flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing you draw and discard each time a player attacks using an airborne unit, while additionally pumping your team with counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his home, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life upon entering play, based on how many of Shrines you have.

It also drains an additional point whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like a powerful addition, considering its cheap cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback for Shrine decks outside of Commander are that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond sets are receiving a lot of criticism from fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, and all cards will be launched November 21st.