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Magic: The Gathering players often embrace tribal strategies — who has not built a zombie strategy at some point? — while the new ATLA crossover release brings back two well-known mechanics that match perfectly with the theme.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One initial ability, called "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar which grants boosts each time additional creatures bearing this type enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents another enchantment subtype that originated in Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also become strength as a player owns additional Shrines in play.

The Return of Allies Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been shown up here and there in recent sets, Allies subtype was far less common — but that changes with ATLA, where the mechanic is central.

Aang has to gather a lot of friends on his quest to bring back balance to the world, and there's no more fitting method to reflect that in an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Showcase

After the first card announcement, here are previews at one Ally plus one Shrines card from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as a cherished minor character in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe that resided in the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined by a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his father's skill in mechanics, he is able to fly in the air using his glider, even dares Aang in an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's passion of flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines through allowing the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks using a flying creature, and also pumping your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his home, it appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life total upon coming into play, depending on how many Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore drains one more point anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful addition, considering the card's low mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

A big drawback for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH is that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but this card is great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

The Welcome Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond products have been garnering significant hate from the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar could be precisely what MTG needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards set to be released November 21st.