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MTG enthusiasts frequently enjoy tribe-based decks — what player hasn't built a zombie strategy once or twice? — while the forthcoming ATLA crossover release revives two beloved examples that align perfectly with its theme.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One first mechanic, named "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar which gives bonuses whenever more permanents bearing this type enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment type which originated in Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise become strength as you controls more of them in play.

A Comeback for Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have shown up here and there across recent releases, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — until that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature is central.

Aang has to assemble a lot of friends during the journey to restore peace across the four nations, and there's no more fitting method to represent this through an Magic set.

Revealed Cards Preview

After the initial card reveal, here is previews of an Ally and a Shrines card in the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

This character stands as a popular minor figure in ATLA, a young man from Earth Kingdom who lived at the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed in a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's skill in engineering, Teo is able to glide in the air with his glider, and challenges Aang in a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's love for the skies and the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines by allowing the player draw and discard each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, while also boosting your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total when entering the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore removes one more point anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be a powerful card, considering its cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback of Shrine-based decks outside of Commander are that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

At a time when crossover products have been garnering significant hate from fans, an iconic series such as Avatar could be precisely just what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.