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MTG enthusiasts often adopt tribe-based tactics — what player has not built a zombie strategy before? — and the upcoming ATLA crossover set is reintroducing two popular examples that align seamlessly with its setting.

Returning Tribal Abilities

The first ability, called "Ally," first debuted with the Zendikar and gives bonuses whenever additional creatures with the Ally subtype come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based subtype which originated in Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become power as a player has more Shrines on the battlefield.

The Comeback for the Ally Ability

While Shrines have appeared here and there across newer releases, the Ally mechanic has been seldom seen — but that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this mechanic is central.

The protagonist Aang must assemble a lot of companions during his journey to bring back peace to the world, so there's no more fitting way to represent this through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After the initial set reveal, below are previews of an Ally plus a Shrines card in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is one cherished minor figure in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe that lived at the Northern Air Temple after his home was ruined in a flood, an event that left him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's skill with mechanics, Teo is able to soar through the skies using a flying device, and dares Aang to a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's passion of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines through allowing the player loot whenever a player attacks using an airborne creature, while also boosting your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Regarding Teo's home, this appears in the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

The card also removes one more life anytime a Shrine enters the field.

This looks like a powerful addition, given the card's low cost and good ETB ability.

One major drawback for Shrine decks outside of EDH is the fact that these cards are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

Currently while crossover products are receiving a lot of backlash from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.