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Magic: The Gathering fans often enjoy tribe-based tactics — what player hasn't assembled a goblin deck once or twice? — and this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set brings back 2 well-known examples that fit seamlessly to the theme.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One first mechanic, called "Allies," first debuted with a Zendikar set and provides buffs each time more creatures bearing the Ally type enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also become power as a player owns more Shrines on the battlefield.

The Return for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have appeared here and there across newer sets, Allies subtype has been far less common — but this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must gather a lot of friends on his quest to bring back peace to the world, and there's no better method to reflect this in an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

Following its first set announcement, below are a look at one Ally and one Shrine cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as a beloved minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom who resided in an Air Temple after his home was ruined in a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's prowess with mechanics, he is able to soar through the skies using his glider, even dares Aang to a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his fondness for flying and his tribe's reliance on gliders through letting you draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying unit, while also strengthening your creatures via counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his home, it appears in the card The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life when entering play, depending on how many Shrine cards you control.

It furthermore drains an additional life whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful card, given its low mana cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

A major drawback of Shrine decks outside of Commander are that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but this card is great when paired alongside another Shrine, which drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond sets are garnering a lot of criticism by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards will be released on Nov. 21.