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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts consistently adopt tribe-based decks — what player hasn't assembled a goblin strategy before? — and the new ATLA crossover release revives 2 well-known examples which fit perfectly to the theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first mechanic, called "Allies," first introduced in a Zendikar set and grants buffs each time more permanents with this type come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based subtype that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, these enchantments also become strength when you controls more of them in play.

The Comeback for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have shown up occasionally in newer sets, Allies subtype was much rarer — until this changes in ATLA, in which the mechanic gets central.

The protagonist Aang must gather numerous allies during the quest to restore peace to the world, and there's no more fitting method to show this in an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following its initial card reveal, below are previews at one Allies plus one Shrines cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Beloved Character

This character stands as one cherished minor character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of Earth Kingdom who lived in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, an event that left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's skill with engineering, Teo is able to soar through the skies with his glider, even challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion for the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of gliders through letting you loot whenever you attack using a flying unit, and also strengthening your team with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, this is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card also drains one more point whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like a powerful card, given the card's cheap cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A big weakness of Shrine-based decks outside of Commander is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be great when paired with another Shrine, which deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Collaboration

At a time when Universes Beyond products have been receiving significant hate from fans, an iconic series such as Avatar could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, and the full set set to be released November 21st.