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Magic: The Gathering fans consistently embrace tribal decks — what player hasn't built an elf deck before? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release is reintroducing two well-known examples that match perfectly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

The initial mechanic, named "Allies," was introduced in a Zendikar set which grants boosts whenever more permanents with the Ally type come onto the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment subtype that first appeared with Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, Shrines also gain abilities when you controls additional Shrines in play.

A Comeback for the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally across recent releases, the Ally mechanic has been seldom seen — until that ends with ATLA, where the mechanic gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of companions during the quest to bring back peace across the world, so it's no more fitting way to show that through a Magic set.

Revealed Card Preview

Following its first card reveal, here is previews at one Ally plus a Shrines card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

This character is a cherished minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom who lived in the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed by a flood, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's skill in mechanics, he is able to fly through the skies with a flying device, even challenges the Avatar in a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion of the skies along with his tribe's use of flying machines through allowing you draw and discard each time you attack with an airborne unit, while additionally boosting your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's home, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life total upon entering play, based on the number of Shrines you control.

It also drains an additional life whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

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

A big drawback for Shrine decks in formats besides EDH is that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but this card is great when paired with another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond products have been receiving a lot of criticism from fans, a beloved series such as Avatar could be exactly just what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, with all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.