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MTG enthusiasts frequently enjoy tribal strategies — who has not assembled an elf strategy at some point? — while the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release is reintroducing two well-known examples that align perfectly with its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The first ability, named "Allies," first introduced in a Zendikar set and grants boosts whenever additional creatures with this subtype come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also gain abilities as a player owns more Shrines on the battlefield.

The Return for the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have appeared sporadically across recent sets, the Ally mechanic was far less common — until this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit many allies during his journey to restore peace across the world, so there's no better way to represent that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

After the initial set announcement, below are previews of one Allies and a Shrine card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

This character stands as a cherished minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom who resided in an Air Temple following his village was ruined by a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's expertise with engineering, Teo can soar in the air using a flying device, and dares Aang in a flying contest.

The card Teo reproduces Teo's love for the skies along with his tribe's reliance on flying machines by letting you draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying unit, and also strengthening your creatures via counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his home, it appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore removes one more point anytime a Shrine enters the field.

It looks like a powerful addition, given its cheap cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One big drawback for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides Commander is that these cards are always legendary permanents, but this card can be great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent during the start of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time when Universes Beyond products have been receiving significant hate by the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period has begun, and all cards will be launched November 21st.