🔗 Share this article

MTG players consistently adopt tribe-based decks — who has not assembled an elf deck before? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 beloved examples which match seamlessly with the theme.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

The first ability, called "Allies," was debuted with a Zendikar and gives bonuses whenever more creatures with the Ally type come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also gain power as a player controls more Shrines in play.

The Return of Allies Ability

Although Shrines have been shown up here and there in recent sets, Allies subtype has been far less common — but that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic gets central.

Aang has to assemble a lot of allies during his journey to restore peace to the world, so it's no better method to show this in a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following the first set reveal, below are a look at an Ally plus a Shrines card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

Teo stands as one popular minor figure from ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe that resided in an Air Temple following his village was destroyed by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Because of his father's expertise in mechanics, he is able to glide through the skies with a flying device, and dares Aang in an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his fondness of the skies and the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders through letting you draw and discard each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, while also boosting your creatures with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his home, it appears in the card Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you control.

It furthermore removes one more point whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It appears to be a powerful addition, considering the card's cheap mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A big drawback of Shrine decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be great when paired with another Shrine, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond sets have been garnering a lot of criticism by the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, with all cards will be released November 21st.