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Magic: The Gathering players consistently adopt tribe-based strategies — who hasn't constructed a goblin deck before? — while this new ATLA crossover set revives two popular mechanics which match perfectly to its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One first mechanic, called "Allies," was debuted in the Zendikar which grants boosts each time more permanents with the Ally type enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based subtype which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise gain abilities when you has additional of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback of the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have shown up here and there across newer sets, Allies mechanic was much rarer — until that changes with ATLA, in which this feature gets prominently used.

Aang has to assemble numerous friends on the quest to restore balance across the world, and it's no better method to represent this in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

Following the initial set reveal, below is a look of one Allies and one Shrine card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as one popular minor character from ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe who lived in an Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's prowess with mechanics, Teo is able to fly through the skies with a flying device, even dares Aang in an aerial contest.

This card Teo represents his fondness of the skies and his tribe's use of gliders through allowing the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with a flying creature, and additionally boosting your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his dwelling, this is represented as the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life when entering the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

It furthermore removes one more point whenever another Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like an impactful card, given the card's low cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

One big drawback of Shrine decks outside of Commander are the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but this card can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond products have been garnering a lot of hate from the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, and all cards will be released November 21st.