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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently enjoy tribal decks — who has not assembled an elf deck at some point? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back 2 well-known examples that match seamlessly to the theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first ability, known as "Ally," first debuted in the Zendikar set and grants buffs each time more permanents bearing this type enter the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents an enchantment type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become abilities as a player owns more of them on the battlefield.

A Return of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have appeared here and there in newer sets, the Ally subtype was far less common — but this ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble many companions during his quest to restore balance across the world, so there's no more fitting way to represent this through a Magic set.

Revealed Card Preview

After its initial card reveal, below are a look of an Allies and a Shrine cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is a cherished supporting figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom who resided in an Air Temple following his village was ruined by a flood, an event that left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's prowess with mechanics, he is able to soar in the air using his glider, and challenges the Avatar in an aerial race.

The card Teo represents his fondness for the skies along with his tribe's use on gliders through letting you draw and discard each time you attack with a flying creature, while additionally strengthening your team via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, this appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life when coming into play, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore removes an additional life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like a strong card, considering the card's cheap mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One major weakness of Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but this card is effective when paired alongside another Shrine, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Collaboration

At a time while crossover sets are receiving a lot of hate by fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards will be launched November 21st.