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Magic: The Gathering players often enjoy tribe-based tactics — what player hasn't built a zombie deck at some point? — while this upcoming ATLA crossover release brings back two popular examples which match seamlessly with the flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial mechanic, named "Allies," was introduced in a Zendikar and gives buffs whenever additional creatures with the Ally type come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based subtype that originated in Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also become power as a player owns more of them on the battlefield.

A Comeback of Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have appeared sporadically across recent sets, Allies mechanic was seldom seen — until this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature is prominently used.

Aang has to recruit many companions during his quest to bring back peace to the world, and there's no more fitting method to represent that through an Magic set.

Exclusive Card Showcase

Following the first set reveal, below are a look at an Allies and a Shrines cards from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is one popular minor figure in ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom that lived at the Northern Air Temple after his home was ruined in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Because of his father's skill with engineering, Teo can fly in the air using his glider, even dares the Avatar to an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his love of flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines by allowing the player draw and discard each time you attack using an airborne unit, while also pumping your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, this appears as the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life upon coming into play, based on the number of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore drains one more point whenever another Shrine enters the field.

This looks like a strong card, considering its cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback of Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH are that these cards are typically Legendary, however this card can be effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Timely Crossover

At a time while crossover products have been receiving significant criticism by fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar can be precisely just what MTG needs.

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