🔗 Share this article Scoop: How Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Reintroduces Two Fan-Favorite Tribe-Focused Gameplay Features MTG fans often embrace tribe-based tactics — what player hasn't built an elf strategy once or twice? — and the forthcoming ATLA crossover set revives 2 well-known examples that match perfectly to the setting. Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics One first mechanic, called "Ally," was introduced in a Zendikar and provides boosts each time additional permanents bearing the Ally type come onto the battlefield. Meanwhile, "Shrine" is another enchantment type that originated with Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines also become strength as a player controls more Shrines in play. The Comeback for Allies Mechanic Although Shrine cards have been appeared sporadically in recent sets, the Ally subtype was much rarer — but that ends with ATLA, in which this feature gets prominently used. Aang must gather many companions on the journey to bring back peace across the four nations, and it's no better method to represent that through an Magic: The Gathering expansion. Exclusive Cards Showcase Following the initial set reveal, below is a look of one Allies and one Shrines card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release. Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure Teo is one beloved minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom who lived in the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk. Because of his dad's skill with engineering, he can glide through the skies using his glider, even dares the Avatar in a flying contest. The card Teo reproduces Teo's passion for the skies along with his tribe's reliance of flying machines by letting the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with an airborne creature, and additionally strengthening your team via +1/+1 counters in the process. Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Speaking of his dwelling, it is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total when entering the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have. It also removes an additional life anytime another Shrine comes onto the field. This looks like a powerful addition, given the card's low cost and good enter the battlefield ability. A major weakness for Shrine strategies in formats besides Commander are the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but this card is great in combination alongside another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn. A Welcome Collaboration Currently when Universes Beyond products are garnering significant hate by the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar can be precisely just what MTG needs. Preview period has begun, with all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.