🔗 Share this article

Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts consistently adopt tribe-based tactics — what player hasn't built a zombie strategy at some point? — and this new ATLA Universes Beyond release brings back two popular mechanics that fit perfectly with the flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first ability, known as "Allies," was debuted in the Zendikar set and gives buffs each time more creatures bearing this type come onto the field.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is another enchantment-based subtype which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, these enchantments also gain strength as you owns additional of them in play.

The Comeback of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have appeared here and there across recent releases, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — until that ends in ATLA, in which this mechanic gets central.

Aang has to recruit numerous friends on the journey to bring back peace across the world, and there's no better method to represent that in an Magic set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following the first set announcement, below are previews at an Ally plus a Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

Teo stands as a cherished minor character in ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom who resided in the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's prowess in engineering, he is able to soar in the air with a flying device, and challenges the Avatar to an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion for flying along with his tribe's reliance of gliders through letting the player loot whenever you attack with an airborne unit, while additionally strengthening your creatures via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of his home, it appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life when entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore removes one more point anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like a powerful card, given its cheap mana cost plus good ETB effect.

A major drawback for Shrine strategies outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

At a time when Universes Beyond products are receiving a lot of backlash from the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what MTG requires.

Preview period is already here, with the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.