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MTG players frequently embrace tribe-based decks — what player hasn't built an elf strategy at some point? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release is reintroducing two popular examples that match seamlessly with its flavor.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

One initial mechanic, called "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar and provides boosts whenever additional permanents with this subtype come onto the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, these enchantments also become strength when a player controls additional Shrines in play.

The Return for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrines have appeared sporadically across newer sets, the Ally subtype was seldom seen — until that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit a lot of friends on the quest to bring back balance across the four nations, and it's no more fitting way to represent that in an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following its initial card announcement, below are previews at an Ally plus one Shrine cards from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is one popular supporting character in ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's expertise in mechanics, he can glide through the skies with a flying device, and dares Aang in a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's fondness of the skies and his tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing the player draw and discard whenever you attack using a flying unit, and additionally boosting your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his home, it is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total when coming into play, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card also drains an additional point whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like a strong card, given the card's cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

A big drawback for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH is that Shrines are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond sets have been receiving significant hate by fans, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and the full set set to be launched November 21st.