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Magic: The Gathering players often embrace tribe-based tactics — what player hasn't assembled an elf deck once or twice? — while the new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives two popular examples that align perfectly to the setting.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One first mechanic, named "Ally," was debuted with the Zendikar set which gives buffs whenever additional creatures bearing the Ally type come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines also gain abilities when you owns more of them in play.

A Comeback for the Ally Ability

While Shrines have shown up sporadically in recent sets, the Ally mechanic has been far less common — until this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature gets prominently used.

Aang has to assemble many allies on his journey to bring back balance across the world, and it's no more fitting way to reflect that through an Magic set.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

After the first card announcement, below are a look at one Ally and one Shrine cards from the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character stands as one beloved supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined in a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Due to his father's skill in engineering, he can glide through the skies with a flying device, and dares the Avatar to an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his fondness of flying and his tribe's use of gliders through letting you loot each time a player attacks using an airborne creature, while additionally strengthening your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Regarding Teo's home, it is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

It also drains an additional point anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.

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

One major weakness for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides Commander are the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time while crossover sets are garnering significant backlash by the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.