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Magic: The Gathering fans often enjoy tribal tactics — who hasn't built an elf strategy before? — while the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives 2 well-known examples which fit perfectly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The initial ability, known as "Ally," first debuted with the Zendikar and grants boosts whenever additional permanents with the Ally type enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based subtype which first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribal theme, Shrines also gain abilities as you controls more Shrines in play.

The Return of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have shown up sporadically in recent sets, Allies subtype was seldom seen — but that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must gather many companions during the journey to restore peace to the world, so it's no more fitting way to represent that through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

After the initial set announcement, here is previews at an Allies plus a Shrine card in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

Teo is a cherished supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from the Earth Tribe that lived at the Northern Air Temple after his home was ruined in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Due to his father's expertise in mechanics, Teo can soar in the air with his glider, and dares Aang in a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's passion for the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines by allowing you loot each time you attack using an airborne creature, and also strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, this is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It furthermore drains one more life anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like a powerful card, considering its low mana cost and valuable ETB ability.

One major weakness for Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander are that these cards are always legendary permanents, however this card is effective in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been garnering significant backlash by the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar can be precisely just what MTG needs.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set set to be released November 21st.