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Magic: The Gathering fans consistently embrace tribal decks — what player hasn't constructed an elf deck once or twice? — and the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives two well-known mechanics that align perfectly to its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The initial ability, known as "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar set which provides boosts each time more permanents bearing this type enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based type that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise gain power when you owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.

A Return of Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have been appeared sporadically in recent sets, Allies subtype was much rarer — but that ends in ATLA, where this mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang must assemble numerous companions during the journey to bring back peace across the four nations, and there's no more fitting method to show this through an Magic set.

Exclusive Cards Preview

Following the initial card reveal, below is previews at one Allies and one Shrine card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is a beloved minor figure from ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe that lived in an Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his father's prowess with engineering, he can glide in the air with a flying device, and challenges the Avatar in a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's fondness for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders by letting you draw and discard whenever a player attacks using a flying creature, while additionally strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, this is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life upon entering play, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

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

It looks like a powerful card, given the card's cheap mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A big weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that these cards are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination with another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond products are garnering significant hate by the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, and all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.