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MTG players consistently embrace tribal decks — what player has not assembled a zombie strategy at some point? — and the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives two well-known mechanics that align perfectly to the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial ability, called "Allies," first debuted in the Zendikar set and gives bonuses whenever additional permanents with this subtype come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based subtype which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become power as a player controls more Shrines in play.

A Comeback of Allies Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been appeared here and there across recent releases, the Ally mechanic was far less common — until this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must gather a lot of friends during the quest to bring back peace across the world, and it's no more fitting method to reflect that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

After its first card announcement, below is a look of one Allies and a Shrine card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as a popular supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom that lived in an Air Temple after his home was ruined by a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's prowess with engineering, Teo can soar in the air with his glider, and dares the Avatar to an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's fondness of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders by letting the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with an airborne creature, and also boosting your creatures via counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this is represented as the card The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life when entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It furthermore drains one more point anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a strong card, given the card's cheap cost and good ETB ability.

One major weakness of Shrine-based decks outside of EDH are that these cards are always legendary permanents, but this card can be great when paired alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently while crossover sets have been receiving significant backlash by fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.