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Magic: The Gathering fans often adopt tribe-based decks — who hasn't assembled an elf deck once or twice? — and the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back two popular examples that match perfectly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

The first mechanic, named "Ally," was introduced with a Zendikar set which gives boosts each time more permanents with the Ally subtype enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is another enchantment type that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, Shrines also gain strength when a player controls additional of them in play.

The Return for the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have been appeared here and there in newer releases, Allies subtype has been much rarer — but this changes in ATLA, in which the feature gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to gather numerous companions on his journey to bring back balance to the four nations, so there's no better way to show that through a Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Showcase

Following the initial set announcement, below is previews at one Ally and one Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

This character stands as one popular minor figure in ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who lived in an Air Temple following his village was ruined in a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his father's skill with engineering, he can soar through the skies with his glider, and challenges the Avatar in an aerial race.

The card Teo reproduces Teo's passion for the skies along with his tribe's use on gliders through allowing you loot whenever you attack using an airborne unit, and additionally boosting your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Regarding Teo's home, this is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total upon coming into play, based on the number of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore removes one more life anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like a strong card, given its cheap mana cost plus valuable ETB effect.

A big weakness of Shrine decks outside of EDH is the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but this card is great when paired with another Shrine, that drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while crossover sets are garnering a lot of hate by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.