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MTG enthusiasts often embrace tribe-based strategies — who hasn't constructed a zombie deck before? — while the new ATLA crossover release is reintroducing 2 popular examples that align seamlessly with the flavor.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The initial mechanic, called "Ally," was introduced with a Zendikar set and provides bonuses each time additional creatures with the Ally type enter the field.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment subtype which first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise become power as you has more Shrines in play.

A Return for Allies Mechanic

Although Shrines have appeared sporadically across newer releases, the Ally mechanic has been far less common — but that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang has to assemble numerous allies on the quest to restore balance across the four nations, so it's no better way to represent this in a Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following its first card announcement, here is a look at one Ally and a Shrine cards in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as a popular minor character from ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe that lived in an Air Temple after his village was ruined by a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's prowess with engineering, he is able to glide in the air with a flying device, and dares Aang to an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's fondness of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing you draw and discard each time a player attacks with a flying creature, while also strengthening your team via counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Regarding Teo's home, it appears in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore removes an additional point whenever a Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be an impactful card, given the card's cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A big drawback of Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander is that Shrines are typically Legendary, but this card can be effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond sets are receiving significant hate by the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards will be launched November 21st.