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Magic: The Gathering fans frequently embrace tribe-based tactics — who hasn't built an elf deck at some point? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release is reintroducing two beloved mechanics which match seamlessly to the theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first ability, called "Ally," was introduced in the Zendikar and grants bonuses whenever additional creatures bearing this subtype come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based type which first appeared in Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise gain strength when you controls additional of them on the battlefield.

A Return for the Ally Ability

While Shrines have appeared sporadically in recent sets, Allies mechanic was seldom seen — but that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature gets prominently used.

Aang has to gather many allies during the journey to restore balance across the four nations, and it's no more fitting method to reflect that through a Magic set.

Exclusive Card Preview

After its first set announcement, here are a look of one Allies and one Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: The Beloved Character

Teo stands as a cherished minor character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that resided in the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's skill with mechanics, Teo can fly in the air using a flying device, and dares the Avatar to a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his love of the skies and the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines through letting you draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying creature, while also strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine

Regarding his dwelling, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore removes an additional life whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It appears to be a powerful card, given its cheap cost and good ETB ability.

One big weakness of Shrine decks outside of EDH are that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but this card can be effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

Currently when crossover products are receiving significant hate by fans, a beloved series like Avatar can be exactly just what MTG requires.

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