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Magic: The Gathering fans often enjoy tribal decks — who hasn't assembled an elf strategy before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two beloved examples which fit seamlessly to the flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial mechanic, known as "Ally," was introduced in a Zendikar and provides bonuses each time additional permanents with the Ally subtype come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is another enchantment subtype which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise become strength when you controls additional of them in play.

The Comeback of the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have been shown up here and there in newer sets, Allies subtype was seldom seen — until this changes with ATLA, in which the mechanic gets central.

The protagonist Aang must gather numerous friends on his quest to bring back balance across the world, and there's no more fitting method to show this through a Magic set.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following the first set announcement, here are a look of one Ally and one Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

Teo is a cherished minor figure in ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived in an Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's skill in mechanics, he is able to soar in the air with a flying device, and dares the Avatar in a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his fondness of the skies along with his tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks using a flying unit, while also strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his dwelling, this appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life total upon entering play, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

It furthermore removes an additional point anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be a powerful addition, given the card's low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

One big weakness of Shrine-based strategies outside of Commander are the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination with another Shrine, which deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently when crossover sets are receiving a lot of hate by fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, and all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.