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MTG enthusiasts often enjoy tribal strategies — what player has not assembled a zombie strategy once or twice? — while the upcoming ATLA crossover release revives 2 popular examples that fit perfectly to its theme.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The initial mechanic, named "Allies," was introduced in a Zendikar and gives bonuses each time additional permanents bearing this subtype come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is another enchantment-based type that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also become abilities as you controls additional of them in play.

A Comeback of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have been appeared here and there in recent releases, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — until that ends with ATLA, where the mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble a lot of allies on the journey to bring back balance across the four nations, and it's no better way to show that in a Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Showcase

Following its first card reveal, below is previews at an Allies plus one Shrines cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is one popular minor figure from ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who resided at an Air Temple after his village was destroyed in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's prowess in engineering, Teo can soar through the skies using his glider, and dares the Avatar in an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his fondness of flying and his tribe's use of flying machines through letting you draw and discard each time a player attacks with a flying unit, while additionally boosting your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Regarding his home, this is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.

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

It looks like a strong addition, given its cheap mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A big weakness of Shrine-based decks outside of Commander is the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination alongside another Shrine, that drains all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently when crossover products have been receiving a lot of criticism from fans, an iconic series such as Avatar could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.