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Magic: The Gathering players consistently embrace tribal strategies — who hasn't built a zombie strategy before? — and this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives 2 well-known mechanics that fit seamlessly to its setting.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The first mechanic, called "Allies," was introduced with a Zendikar set which provides buffs whenever additional permanents bearing this subtype enter the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based type that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines also gain abilities as a player owns more Shrines on the battlefield.

The Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have shown up here and there in newer sets, the Ally subtype was seldom seen — until that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature is central.

The protagonist Aang must assemble a lot of companions on the journey to bring back balance to the four nations, and there's no better way to reflect this through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following the initial card announcement, below is a look of one Allies plus a Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo stands as a beloved supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom who lived at an Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's prowess in engineering, Teo is able to fly through the skies with his glider, even challenges the Avatar in an aerial contest.

This card Teo reproduces Teo's love of flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders by letting the player loot each time you attack with an airborne creature, and additionally boosting your creatures via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine

Regarding Teo's dwelling, this is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card also drains an additional point whenever a Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be a strong card, given the card's cheap cost plus valuable ETB ability.

One major weakness of Shrine decks outside of EDH is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, however this card can be great in combination alongside another Shrine, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently when crossover sets have been garnering a lot of hate from fans, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering needs.

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