Magic: The Gathering players frequently embrace tribe-based decks — who hasn't built a goblin strategy once or twice? — while the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 well-known examples which align seamlessly with its theme.
The initial ability, known as "Allies," was introduced with a Zendikar set which gives buffs whenever additional permanents with the Ally subtype enter the field.
Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents an enchantment type that originated in Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also gain strength when a player controls more of them in play.
Although Shrines have appeared sporadically across recent sets, the Ally subtype was seldom seen — but that ends in ATLA, in which the mechanic is heavily featured.
The protagonist Aang has to recruit numerous companions during his journey to bring back peace to the four nations, so it's no more fitting method to reflect this through an Magic expansion.
After its first card reveal, below are previews at one Ally and one Shrines card in the new ATLA set.
This character stands as a beloved minor figure in ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined in a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.
Thanks to his father's skill in engineering, he is able to fly through the skies with his glider, even dares the Avatar in a flying contest.
The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion for flying along with his tribe's reliance of flying machines through letting you loot each time a player attacks with an airborne unit, while also boosting your creatures via counters at the same time.
Regarding Teo's home, it is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you have.
The card furthermore drains an additional point anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.
This looks like a strong card, given its low cost and good ETB effect.
A big drawback for Shrine decks in formats besides Commander are that these cards are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.
Currently when Universes Beyond products are receiving a lot of backlash from fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering needs.
Spoiler season has begun, with all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.
