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Magic: The Gathering fans often enjoy tribe-based strategies — who hasn't built an elf deck at some point? — and the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release is reintroducing two well-known mechanics that fit seamlessly to its setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One initial ability, named "Allies," first debuted in the Zendikar and provides boosts whenever more creatures with the Ally subtype come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become power when you owns additional Shrines in play.

The Comeback for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have appeared sporadically in newer sets, the Ally subtype has been far less common — but that ends with ATLA, in which this feature gets prominently used.

Aang has to assemble a lot of allies during the quest to bring back peace across the four nations, so it's no better way to show this in a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following the initial set reveal, below are a look of one Ally plus one Shrine card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

Teo stands as one popular supporting figure in ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe who lived in the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's skill with engineering, he can fly in the air with his glider, and challenges the Avatar in a flying contest.

This card Teo represents his fondness of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines through allowing you loot whenever you attack with an airborne creature, while also pumping your creatures via counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine

Regarding Teo's home, this is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life total when entering the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

It furthermore drains one more life whenever another Shrine enters the field.

It looks like a strong addition, considering the card's cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

One major drawback for Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH are that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however this card is great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Timely Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond products have been garnering significant backlash from fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.