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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently enjoy tribal tactics — what player has not built a zombie strategy before? — while this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set brings back two beloved examples which align perfectly with the flavor.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The initial ability, named "Ally," was introduced with a Zendikar set which provides boosts whenever additional creatures bearing the Ally type come onto the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also become abilities as a player controls more Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have shown up here and there in newer sets, the Ally subtype has been seldom seen — but that ends in ATLA, where this mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang has to recruit numerous allies during the quest to bring back balance to the world, and there's no more fitting method to reflect this in a Magic set.

Revealed Card Preview

After the first card announcement, below are previews at an Ally plus one Shrines card in the new ATLA set.

Teo: A Beloved Character

This character stands as one popular minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of Earth Kingdom that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined by a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Due to his father's expertise with mechanics, he can fly in the air using a flying device, and dares Aang to a flying contest.

This card Teo represents his passion for the skies and his tribe's use of flying machines through allowing the player loot whenever you attack with a flying creature, while also strengthening your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

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

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

It appears to be a strong card, considering its cheap mana cost and good ETB effect.

A major drawback for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great when paired with another Shrine, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time while crossover products are receiving a lot of backlash by the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, with the full set will be released November 21st.