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MTG players frequently adopt tribal strategies — who has not constructed an elf deck once or twice? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing two well-known examples that fit perfectly to the setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial ability, named "Ally," first debuted in a Zendikar set and gives boosts each time more creatures bearing the Ally type come onto the field.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise gain strength as you owns more Shrines on the battlefield.

A Return for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have shown up occasionally across newer releases, the Ally subtype has been seldom seen — but this ends with ATLA, in which the mechanic is central.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of companions during the journey to restore peace to the four nations, so there's no more fitting way to represent this through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following the first set reveal, below are a look of one Allies plus one Shrines cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as a popular supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom that lived at the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined by a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's prowess in engineering, Teo can fly in the air with a flying device, and challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's love of flying and his tribe's use on flying machines through letting the player draw and discard each time you attack with a flying unit, while additionally strengthening your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life upon coming into play, based on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card also removes an additional point anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be an impactful card, considering the card's low mana cost plus good ETB effect.

A major drawback of Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander is that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is great when paired with another Shrine, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time while crossover products have been garnering significant backlash by the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, with the full set set to be launched on Nov. 21.