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Magic: The Gathering fans often enjoy tribal strategies — what player has not assembled a goblin strategy once or twice? — and this upcoming ATLA crossover set is reintroducing 2 beloved examples that fit seamlessly with the flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One initial ability, called "Allies," was introduced in a Zendikar set which gives boosts whenever additional permanents with the Ally subtype enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also gain power as a player has more of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback of the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have been appeared here and there across newer releases, Allies mechanic was far less common — until this ends in ATLA, where the feature gets heavily featured.

Aang has to recruit numerous friends during the quest to bring back balance across the world, and there's no better method to reflect this through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following its first card announcement, here are a look of one Allies and a Shrines cards in the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as a popular supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom that resided in the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed in a disaster, which left him unable to walk.

Because of his father's expertise in mechanics, he can glide through the skies with his glider, even challenges Aang in a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his fondness for the skies and his tribe's reliance of flying machines through letting you draw and discard each time you attack using a flying unit, while additionally strengthening your team with counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of his home, it is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life when entering play, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

The card also drains an additional point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

This appears to be an impactful card, given its cheap mana cost and good ETB ability.

One major drawback for Shrine-based strategies outside of Commander is that Shrines are typically Legendary, however this card can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.

The Welcome Crossover

Currently while crossover products are receiving significant hate from fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period has begun, and all cards will be launched November 21st.