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Magic: The Gathering players often embrace tribe-based tactics — who has not constructed an elf strategy at some point? — while this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release is reintroducing 2 popular mechanics which fit seamlessly with the theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first ability, called "Allies," first introduced in a Zendikar set which provides bonuses whenever additional creatures with this type enter the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also become power when a player controls more of them in play.

A Return of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have appeared occasionally in recent sets, Allies subtype was much rarer — until that ends with ATLA, in which this mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must gather a lot of allies on his quest to bring back peace to the world, so there's no more fitting method to represent this in a Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following its initial card reveal, here are a look of an Ally plus one Shrines card from the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

This character is one cherished minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from the Earth Tribe that lived at an Air Temple after his home was ruined in a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's skill in mechanics, Teo is able to fly through the skies with his glider, even dares the Avatar in a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his fondness for flying and the Earth Tribe's use of gliders by allowing you loot whenever a player attacks with a flying unit, and additionally pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of his home, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you control.

It also drains an additional point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

It appears to be an impactful addition, considering the card's cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

One big drawback of Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is that Shrines are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Collaboration

Currently while crossover products are receiving a lot of backlash from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.