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Magic: The Gathering players often embrace tribal strategies — what player hasn't built an elf deck before? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 beloved mechanics which match seamlessly with its theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The first mechanic, called "Ally," was introduced in the Zendikar set and gives buffs whenever additional permanents bearing the Ally type come onto the field.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype that originated in Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become strength when a player owns additional of them on the battlefield.

The Return of Allies Mechanic

While Shrine cards have shown up here and there in newer sets, the Ally subtype was much rarer — but this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must assemble many companions on his journey to restore balance across the four nations, and there's no more fitting method to represent that through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

After the initial card announcement, here are previews of an Ally plus one Shrine card in the new ATLA release.

Teo: The Beloved Character

Teo is one beloved minor figure from ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe that lived in an Air Temple following his village was ruined by a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's prowess with mechanics, he can glide through the skies with his glider, and dares the Avatar in a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines through letting the player loot each time a player attacks using an airborne unit, and additionally boosting your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his dwelling, it is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life total upon entering play, based on how many of Shrines you control.

The card also removes one more point anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful card, considering its low cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

One major drawback for Shrine-based decks outside of EDH are that these cards are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Timely Crossover

At a time while crossover sets have been receiving significant backlash by fans, an iconic series like Avatar could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, with the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.