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Magic: The Gathering players often embrace tribal strategies — who has not built an elf strategy at some point? — and this new ATLA crossover set revives 2 popular mechanics which match perfectly to its flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The first mechanic, known as "Allies," was debuted with a Zendikar set which provides buffs each time more permanents bearing this subtype enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type which originated in Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribe, Shrines likewise gain abilities as a player owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have shown up here and there in newer sets, the Ally subtype has been far less common — until that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic is central.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit numerous allies during his quest to restore peace to the world, and there's no more fitting method to show that in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following its initial set announcement, here is a look of an Allies plus a Shrine card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is a popular supporting character from ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom who resided in the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed by a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's skill in mechanics, he can fly through the skies using a flying device, even dares Aang in an aerial contest.

The card Teo reproduces his fondness for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders by allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack using an airborne unit, and additionally pumping your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Regarding Teo's home, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

It furthermore removes one more point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like a strong addition, given its low mana cost plus good ETB ability.

A major weakness for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

At a time when crossover products have been garnering significant criticism from fans, a beloved series like Avatar could be precisely what MTG needs.

Preview period has begun, with the full set set to be launched November 21st.