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Magic: The Gathering players often embrace tribal strategies — who hasn't assembled a zombie strategy before? — while the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release revives two beloved mechanics which fit seamlessly to the theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial mechanic, named "Ally," first debuted with a Zendikar set which grants bonuses whenever more permanents bearing this subtype come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is another enchantment subtype that first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments likewise gain strength as a player controls more of them in play.

A Comeback for the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have been appeared here and there in recent sets, Allies mechanic was much rarer — but this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit numerous friends on the quest to bring back peace across the world, and it's no more fitting method to reflect this in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

After its first card announcement, here is a look at one Allies and one Shrines cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Beloved Character

This character is one cherished minor character in ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe that lived at the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined in a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his father's prowess with engineering, Teo can glide in the air with his glider, even challenges the Avatar in an aerial contest.

The card Teo represents Teo's fondness for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders through allowing you draw and discard whenever a player attacks with a flying unit, while also strengthening your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's home, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life total when entering the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you control.

The card also removes one more point anytime another Shrine enters the battlefield.

It appears to be a powerful addition, considering its cheap cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback for Shrine-based decks outside of EDH is that these cards are always legendary permanents, but this card can be great when paired with another Shrine, that drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Collaboration

Currently while crossover products are garnering a lot of criticism by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar could be exactly just what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and the full set will be released November 21st.