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Magic: The Gathering players often enjoy tribe-based decks — who has not built an elf strategy once or twice? — and the new ATLA crossover set brings back two well-known examples which align perfectly with the flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One first mechanic, named "Ally," first debuted in a Zendikar and gives bonuses whenever more permanents bearing this subtype enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise become strength as a player has additional of them on the battlefield.

A Comeback of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have appeared here and there across recent sets, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — until that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic is prominently used.

Aang must assemble many companions during the journey to restore balance to the world, so it's no more fitting method to represent that through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

Following its initial set announcement, here is a look at one Ally plus one Shrines cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is one cherished supporting character from ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom that lived at an Air Temple after his home was ruined by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's prowess with engineering, Teo is able to glide in the air using his glider, and challenges the Avatar to an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion of flying along with the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines by letting the player loot whenever a player attacks using an airborne unit, and additionally strengthening your creatures via counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, this is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total when entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore removes one more life anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be a strong addition, considering its cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

A big weakness for Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander is the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great when paired with another Shrine, which drains every opponent during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

At a time while crossover sets are garnering a lot of criticism by the community, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG requires.

Preview period is already here, with the full set set to be released November 21st.