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MTG enthusiasts often embrace tribe-based decks — who hasn't built an elf strategy once or twice? — and the forthcoming ATLA crossover set revives 2 beloved mechanics which align perfectly to its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first mechanic, known as "Ally," first introduced in a Zendikar and gives boosts each time additional permanents with the Ally type enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment subtype that originated in Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, Shrines also gain power as a player has more Shrines in play.

The Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have been shown up sporadically in newer releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — but this changes in ATLA, where this mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang has to recruit many companions on his journey to restore peace across the world, and there's no more fitting method to show that through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After the first card announcement, here are a look of one Ally plus one Shrines cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is one popular supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of Earth Kingdom who resided in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's prowess with engineering, Teo is able to glide in the air with a flying device, even dares Aang to a flying contest.

This card Teo showcases Teo's passion of flying and the Earth Tribe's use of gliders through letting the player draw and discard each time you attack using an airborne unit, while also pumping your creatures via counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life total upon coming into play, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

It also drains an additional life anytime another Shrine enters the field.

It looks like an impactful card, given its low mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A big weakness of Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH are the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

At a time while Universes Beyond sets have been garnering a lot of backlash by the community, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, and all cards set to be released November 21st.