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Magic: The Gathering fans often adopt tribe-based strategies — what player has not built an elf deck before? — while the upcoming ATLA crossover set is reintroducing 2 popular mechanics that align perfectly with its theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The first ability, known as "Ally," first debuted in a Zendikar which gives bonuses each time more permanents with this subtype come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is another enchantment-based type that first appeared in Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain power as a player owns additional of them in play.

A Return of the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have been appeared occasionally across newer releases, Allies subtype has been much rarer — until that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature is central.

Aang must gather numerous friends during the journey to restore peace to the world, so there's no more fitting way to show that through an Magic set.

Revealed Cards Preview

After the first set reveal, here is a look at one Ally plus a Shrines cards from the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as a popular minor character in ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Because of his father's skill in engineering, Teo is able to glide in the air using his glider, and dares Aang in an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's fondness of flying along with the Earth Tribe's use on gliders by letting the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with an airborne creature, and also strengthening your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Regarding Teo's home, it appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.

It furthermore removes an additional point anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful addition, considering the card's cheap cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A major drawback of Shrine-based decks outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond products have been garnering significant hate by the community, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what MTG requires.

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