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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts consistently adopt tribe-based tactics — what player has not constructed an elf deck once or twice? — and this upcoming ATLA crossover set revives two popular examples which fit perfectly with its setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first mechanic, known as "Allies," first introduced in the Zendikar set and provides boosts whenever additional permanents with the Ally subtype come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based type that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become power when you controls additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Comeback of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have appeared occasionally across recent sets, the Ally subtype was much rarer — until this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature gets central.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit a lot of companions on his journey to restore peace to the four nations, so there's no better method to show that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following its initial set announcement, here is a look of one Allies and a Shrines cards from the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is one popular minor character from ATLA, a boy from Earth Kingdom who resided at an Air Temple after his village was ruined by a flood, an event that left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's expertise with mechanics, he can glide through the skies with a flying device, even dares Aang to a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's love for the skies along with his tribe's reliance on flying machines by letting you draw and discard each time you attack using a flying unit, while additionally strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, this is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life when entering the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card also drains one more point anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like an impactful card, given the card's cheap cost and good ETB effect.

One major weakness for Shrine strategies outside of Commander is that Shrines are typically Legendary, however this card can be great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond sets have been receiving significant hate from fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what MTG needs.

Preview period has begun, and the full set will be launched November 21st.