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MTG fans often adopt tribe-based strategies — what player has not constructed a zombie strategy once or twice? — while this forthcoming ATLA crossover release is reintroducing two beloved examples that fit perfectly to its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

One initial ability, called "Allies," was debuted in the Zendikar and provides boosts whenever additional permanents bearing the Ally type enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment type that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also gain abilities as you owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Comeback of Allies Mechanic

While Shrine cards have shown up here and there in recent sets, Allies mechanic has been far less common — but that ends in ATLA, in which the mechanic gets central.

The protagonist Aang must gather a lot of companions during the journey to restore peace across the four nations, so there's no more fitting way to represent this in an Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After the initial card reveal, below are a look at an Allies plus a Shrine cards in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

Teo stands as one cherished supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom that lived at an Air Temple following his home was ruined by a disaster, which left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's skill in engineering, Teo is able to fly in the air using his glider, even challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing the player draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying unit, while additionally boosting your creatures with counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Regarding Teo's home, it appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total when entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It furthermore removes an additional life anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like a powerful card, given its cheap cost plus good ETB ability.

One major weakness of Shrine strategies outside of EDH is the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however this card can be effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond products have been receiving a lot of criticism from the community, an iconic series like Avatar can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, and the full set set to be launched November 21st.