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MTG players frequently embrace tribal tactics — what player has not constructed an elf deck at some point? — and this upcoming ATLA crossover release brings back 2 popular mechanics which match seamlessly with its flavor.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The initial mechanic, named "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar set and grants boosts whenever more creatures with the Ally type enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents an enchantment type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, these enchantments also gain strength as a player has additional of them in play.

A Comeback for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been appeared occasionally in recent sets, the Ally mechanic has been seldom seen — but this ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature is central.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit a lot of friends on the quest to bring back peace across the four nations, and there's no better method to show this through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Card Showcase

Following the first set reveal, below is a look at an Ally and a Shrine cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as a cherished minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe who resided in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a disaster, an event that left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's prowess in engineering, he can fly through the skies using his glider, even challenges the Avatar to a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his passion of the skies and his tribe's use of flying machines through allowing the player loot whenever a player attacks with a flying creature, and also strengthening your creatures with counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you have.

It furthermore drains an additional life whenever another Shrine enters the field.

It appears to be a powerful addition, given the card's low cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A big drawback for Shrine strategies outside of EDH are that these cards are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is effective in combination alongside another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond products are garnering a lot of hate from the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG requires.

Preview period is already here, with the full set will be released on Nov. 21.