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Magic: The Gathering players frequently embrace tribal decks — what player has not built an elf strategy at some point? — while the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set is reintroducing 2 popular mechanics that match seamlessly to the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial mechanic, called "Allies," first debuted in a Zendikar set and grants bonuses each time more permanents with the Ally subtype enter the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared in Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also gain strength as a player has additional of them on the battlefield.

A Comeback for Allies Ability

Although Shrines have appeared occasionally in recent releases, the Ally subtype was seldom seen — but that ends with ATLA, in which this feature is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must gather numerous allies on the journey to bring back peace across the four nations, and there's no more fitting method to represent this through a Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

After its initial set announcement, here is a look at one Allies plus one Shrines card in the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as a cherished minor character from ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who resided in the Northern Air Temple following his village was ruined by a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's expertise with mechanics, Teo is able to soar in the air using a flying device, even dares Aang to an aerial contest.

The card Teo reproduces Teo's love for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines through allowing the player loot whenever you attack with an airborne unit, while also strengthening your creatures with counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine

Regarding Teo's home, it appears as the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life upon entering play, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

It also removes an additional point whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like a powerful card, given the card's low cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

A big weakness of Shrine-based strategies outside of Commander are the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, but this card can be effective in combination with another Shrine, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently while crossover sets have been garnering a lot of hate by the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set set to be released November 21st.