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Magic: The Gathering players frequently enjoy tribe-based tactics — who hasn't constructed an elf deck once or twice? — and this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back two popular examples which align seamlessly to its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The initial ability, named "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar which gives boosts each time more creatures bearing the Ally type enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based type which first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also gain abilities when a player has more Shrines on the battlefield.

A Return for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrines have shown up here and there across newer releases, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — but that ends with ATLA, in which this mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang has to assemble a lot of friends on the journey to restore peace to the world, so it's no more fitting method to reflect that through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following the initial set announcement, below are previews at one Allies plus a Shrine cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is a beloved minor character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom that lived in the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined by a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's prowess with mechanics, he is able to soar through the skies with his glider, and dares Aang to a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's fondness for flying and his tribe's reliance of gliders by letting the player loot each time you attack with an airborne creature, and additionally boosting your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's home, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you control.

It also removes one more point whenever a Shrine enters the field.

It appears to be a strong card, given the card's cheap mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

One major drawback for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH is that Shrines are typically Legendary, but this card is effective when paired alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

Currently when crossover sets are garnering a lot of criticism from the community, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

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