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MTG fans often embrace tribe-based tactics — who has not assembled a zombie deck once or twice? — and the forthcoming ATLA crossover release brings back 2 well-known examples that match perfectly to the setting.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The initial mechanic, named "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar and gives boosts each time more permanents bearing this subtype come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also become power as a player controls additional of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrines have shown up occasionally across recent sets, Allies subtype has been much rarer — until that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to gather many allies on the quest to restore balance to the four nations, so there's no more fitting method to represent this in a Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following its first card announcement, here are previews of one Allies and a Shrine cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is one popular minor character from ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom that resided at the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's expertise with engineering, Teo is able to fly in the air using a flying device, even challenges the Avatar in a flying contest.

The card Teo reproduces Teo's fondness for the skies along with his tribe's reliance of gliders through letting the player loot each time a player attacks with an airborne creature, and also pumping your team via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his dwelling, this is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life when entering the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore removes one more life anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.

This appears to be an impactful card, considering its low mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

One major weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH are that Shrines are always Legendary, however this card can be great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond products are receiving a lot of backlash by the community, an iconic series such as Avatar can be precisely what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, and the full set will be released on Nov. 21.