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MTG fans often adopt tribal strategies — who has not assembled a zombie strategy once or twice? — and the new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set revives 2 well-known mechanics that align seamlessly with its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One initial mechanic, called "Allies," first debuted with a Zendikar set which provides bonuses each time additional creatures with this type come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, these enchantments likewise become abilities when a player has additional Shrines in play.

The Comeback for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been appeared here and there in newer releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — but this changes in ATLA, where this feature gets heavily featured.

Aang must gather many allies on his quest to bring back peace to the four nations, and it's no more fitting way to show this through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following the initial card announcement, here is a look of one Ally and one Shrines cards from the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo stands as a beloved supporting character in ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's expertise in mechanics, Teo can fly in the air using his glider, and challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's love of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing the player loot whenever you attack using an airborne unit, and additionally pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, this is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore drains an additional life whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.

This appears to be a powerful card, considering its cheap cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

A big weakness for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH are that these cards are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond sets are garnering a lot of hate from the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set will be released November 21st.