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Magic: The Gathering fans frequently enjoy tribe-based decks — who has not built an elf strategy at some point? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives two well-known mechanics that align seamlessly to the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One initial ability, known as "Allies," first introduced in the Zendikar set and gives buffs each time more permanents bearing the Ally subtype come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based subtype that originated in Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise gain power when you owns more of them on the battlefield.

A Return of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have shown up here and there across newer releases, Allies subtype has been much rarer — but that changes with ATLA, where the feature is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble many companions during the journey to bring back balance to the world, and there's no more fitting way to represent this through an Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following its initial set reveal, here are previews of an Allies plus a Shrines card in the new ATLA release.

Teo: The Beloved Character

Teo is one cherished supporting figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe that resided at an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Because of his father's skill with mechanics, he can glide in the air with his glider, and challenges the Avatar to an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's fondness of the skies and his tribe's reliance of gliders through letting you loot each time you attack using a flying unit, and also pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore drains one more life anytime another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful card, given the card's low cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback of Shrine strategies in formats besides Commander are that these cards are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

At a time when crossover sets are garnering a lot of criticism by the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what MTG needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.