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Magic: The Gathering players frequently embrace tribe-based strategies — what player has not built an elf deck at some point? — and this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back 2 beloved mechanics that align perfectly with the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The initial ability, called "Ally," was debuted with the Zendikar and provides boosts each time more permanents bearing this subtype enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based subtype that first appeared with Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, these enchantments also gain strength as you has additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Comeback of the Ally Ability

While Shrines have been appeared here and there across newer releases, Allies mechanic was seldom seen — but that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature gets prominently used.

Aang has to assemble many friends during his quest to bring back peace to the four nations, and it's no more fitting method to represent this in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

Following its first set reveal, below are previews at an Allies plus a Shrine card in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

Teo is one beloved supporting character from ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed by a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's prowess in engineering, he can glide in the air using his glider, even dares Aang in an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's passion of flying and his tribe's reliance on flying machines by allowing you loot whenever a player attacks using an airborne unit, while also pumping your team with counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you have.

It also removes one more life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It appears to be a strong addition, considering its cheap cost plus valuable ETB ability.

One major weakness for Shrine decks outside of Commander are the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but this card is great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond products have been garnering significant backlash from fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar could be precisely just what MTG requires.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards will be launched November 21st.