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MTG players consistently enjoy tribe-based decks — what player has not built a goblin strategy at some point? — and the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back two beloved mechanics that fit perfectly with its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first mechanic, known as "Ally," was introduced in the Zendikar set which provides boosts each time more creatures with the Ally type come onto the field.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based subtype that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also gain strength as you owns more Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrines have been shown up sporadically across newer sets, the Ally subtype was seldom seen — but this changes with ATLA, where the mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang has to gather many allies on the journey to restore balance to the world, so it's no better way to show this through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following the initial card announcement, below are previews at an Ally plus a Shrine card in the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as one beloved minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom that resided at an Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's expertise in engineering, he is able to soar in the air using his glider, and challenges Aang to a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's fondness of flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines by allowing you draw and discard whenever a player attacks using a flying creature, and additionally strengthening your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears in the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you control.

It also removes an additional life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It appears to be a powerful card, given the card's cheap cost and good ETB ability.

A major weakness of Shrine decks in formats besides Commander is that Shrines are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

Currently while crossover products are receiving a lot of criticism from fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, with all cards set to be launched November 21st.