🔗 Share this article Scoop: The Way Magic's Avatar: The Last Airbender Set Brings Back 2 Popular Tribal Gameplay Features Magic: The Gathering fans consistently embrace tribal tactics — who hasn't built an elf deck before? — while the new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 well-known examples which align seamlessly with the flavor. Returning Tribal Abilities One initial ability, named "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar and provides bonuses whenever additional permanents with the Ally type enter the battlefield. Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment subtype which originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also gain abilities when a player controls more of them in play. The Return of Allies Ability Although Shrines have been appeared here and there in newer releases, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — until this ends in ATLA, in which the feature is heavily featured. The protagonist Aang has to assemble many companions on the journey to bring back peace to the four nations, so it's no better method to represent this in a Magic set. Revealed Card Preview Following the first card reveal, below are a look at an Ally and a Shrine card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release. Teo: The Beloved Figure This character is a cherished minor figure from ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe that lived in the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed in a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic. Due to his dad's expertise in engineering, Teo can fly in the air with his glider, and dares Aang in an aerial contest. The card Teo showcases Teo's love of flying and the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines by letting you draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying creature, while additionally pumping your creatures via counters in the process. The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment Regarding his home, this appears as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you have. It furthermore removes one more point whenever another Shrine comes onto the battlefield. This appears to be an impactful addition, given the card's low mana cost plus valuable ETB effect. One major weakness for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH are the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn. The Timely Collaboration Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been receiving significant hate by fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG needs. Spoiler season is already here, and the full set will be launched November 21st.