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MTG enthusiasts consistently enjoy tribal decks — what player has not constructed an elf deck once or twice? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 beloved examples that match perfectly to its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first ability, called "Ally," first introduced in the Zendikar which grants bonuses whenever more permanents with this subtype enter the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is an enchantment type that originated in Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise become strength when you controls more Shrines in play.

The Comeback for the Ally Ability

While Shrines have shown up here and there in newer releases, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — until this changes in ATLA, in which the feature gets central.

The protagonist Aang must recruit a lot of companions on his quest to bring back peace to the world, so there's no better method to show that through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

After the initial set announcement, below is a look at an Ally and one Shrines card in the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

Teo stands as one cherished minor character from ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who resided at the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined in a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's prowess in mechanics, Teo can soar through the skies with a flying device, and dares Aang to an aerial race.

The card Teo showcases his passion for the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of gliders through allowing the player draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying unit, and also pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it appears as the card Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life when entering the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore removes an additional point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like a powerful card, considering the card's low cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

A major weakness of Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH is that Shrines are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Timely Crossover

At a time when crossover products are garnering a lot of hate from the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, and all cards set to be released November 21st.