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Magic: The Gathering fans consistently enjoy tribal decks — what player has not constructed a goblin deck once or twice? — and this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing 2 popular examples that fit perfectly to the setting.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

One initial mechanic, known as "Allies," first debuted in a Zendikar and gives boosts whenever additional creatures with the Ally subtype come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based type that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines also become strength when you owns additional of them in play.

A Return of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have been appeared sporadically across recent sets, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — but this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature gets prominently used.

Aang has to recruit numerous friends during his journey to restore peace to the world, and it's no more fitting way to show this in a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

Following its initial card announcement, here are previews of one Ally plus one Shrines cards from the new ATLA set.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a beloved minor figure in ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe who resided in the Northern Air Temple after his home was ruined by a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's skill with engineering, Teo can glide through the skies using his glider, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial contest.

The card Teo represents his love for flying along with the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines by letting you loot each time a player attacks using a flying creature, and also boosting your team via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his dwelling, it is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you have.

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

It looks like a powerful addition, considering its cheap mana cost plus good ETB ability.

A major weakness of Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH are that these cards are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

A Welcome Collaboration

At a time when Universes Beyond sets have been receiving significant criticism from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what MTG needs.

Preview period has begun, with the full set will be released on Nov. 21.