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MTG players often adopt tribal decks — what player hasn't assembled a zombie deck at some point? — while the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing 2 beloved examples which match seamlessly with the flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial mechanic, known as "Ally," first introduced in a Zendikar set and gives boosts each time more permanents bearing the Ally type come onto the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise become power as you has more of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback of the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have been appeared occasionally in newer sets, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — but that ends with ATLA, where the feature gets heavily featured.

Aang must recruit numerous companions on his quest to bring back peace across the world, so it's no more fitting way to represent this in an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following the first card reveal, here is previews at an Allies and one Shrines card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

Teo stands as one beloved minor figure in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who resided at the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's skill with engineering, Teo can glide in the air with his glider, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion of the skies and his tribe's use of flying machines through allowing you draw and discard each time a player attacks using an airborne creature, and also pumping your creatures with counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine

Regarding Teo's home, this appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life total upon coming into play, based on the number of Shrines you control.

It also drains one more life whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

It appears to be a strong card, given the card's cheap mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

One big drawback for Shrine decks in formats besides EDH is that these cards are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is great when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

At a time when crossover products have been garnering significant backlash by fans, a beloved series like Avatar could be exactly what MTG needs.

Preview period has begun, with the full set will be launched November 21st.