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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often enjoy tribe-based strategies — what player has not assembled a zombie strategy at some point? — while this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back 2 popular mechanics that align seamlessly with the flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The initial mechanic, named "Ally," was introduced in a Zendikar set which grants buffs each time more creatures bearing this subtype enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is another enchantment type that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise become abilities as a player owns more Shrines on the battlefield.

The Comeback of Allies Ability

Although Shrine cards have been appeared here and there in newer releases, the Ally subtype was seldom seen — but that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must gather numerous friends during his journey to restore peace to the four nations, and it's no more fitting method to show this in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following the initial set reveal, below is a look at one Allies plus one Shrine card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is a beloved supporting character in ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe that lived in an Air Temple after his village was ruined in a disaster, which left him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's skill in engineering, he can soar in the air using a flying device, even challenges Aang to an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's love for flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders through letting the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with a flying unit, while also strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you control.

The card also drains an additional life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like a strong card, considering its cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One big weakness of Shrine strategies outside of EDH is the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, however this card can be great when paired alongside another Shrine, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond products are receiving a lot of hate from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, and all cards set to be released November 21st.