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MTG players often adopt tribe-based decks — what player hasn't built a zombie deck once or twice? — and the forthcoming ATLA crossover release brings back two well-known examples which fit seamlessly with the setting.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One first ability, called "Allies," first introduced in the Zendikar which gives buffs each time additional creatures with the Ally type come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment subtype that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise become strength as you owns additional of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have appeared sporadically across newer releases, the Ally subtype has been seldom seen — until this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic gets central.

The protagonist Aang must recruit a lot of friends during his quest to bring back peace across the four nations, so there's no more fitting method to represent this through an Magic set.

Revealed Card Preview

After the initial set announcement, here are previews of one Allies plus one Shrines cards in the new ATLA release.

Teo: The Beloved Character

This character stands as a popular minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's expertise in engineering, Teo can glide through the skies using his glider, even challenges Aang in a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his fondness for flying and his tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing you draw and discard each time you attack using an airborne creature, while additionally strengthening your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life upon entering play, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore drains one more life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It appears to be a strong card, given the card's cheap cost plus valuable ETB effect.

One big weakness of Shrine decks outside of Commander are that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired with another Shrine, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while crossover sets are receiving significant hate by the community, an iconic series like Avatar could be precisely just what MTG requires.

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