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Magic: The Gathering players consistently adopt tribal tactics — what player hasn't assembled an elf strategy at some point? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back 2 popular mechanics which match perfectly with its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The initial mechanic, known as "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar and grants boosts each time additional creatures bearing the Ally subtype come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, these enchantments also gain abilities as you owns more Shrines in play.

The Comeback of the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have been appeared occasionally across recent sets, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — until that changes with ATLA, where the feature is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble many companions on his quest to bring back balance across the four nations, and it's no more fitting method to reflect that through an Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

After the first set reveal, below is a look of one Ally plus a Shrines card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as a popular minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom that resided in an Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's prowess in engineering, Teo is able to soar in the air with a flying device, and challenges Aang to a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's love for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing you draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying unit, while additionally strengthening your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, this appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total upon entering the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card also removes an additional point anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It appears to be an impactful card, given the card's low cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A major weakness of Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is that these cards are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired with another Shrine, which deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently while crossover products are garnering significant hate from the community, a beloved series such as Avatar can be exactly just what MTG needs.

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