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Magic: The Gathering fans often embrace tribe-based strategies — what player hasn't assembled an elf strategy at some point? — while the new ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing two popular mechanics which align seamlessly with its setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first ability, known as "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar and gives buffs whenever additional permanents with this type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based subtype which originated with Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also gain strength when you controls additional Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback of the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally across recent releases, Allies subtype has been far less common — but this ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature gets central.

The protagonist Aang must recruit a lot of friends during his quest to restore balance across the four nations, and it's no more fitting method to show that in a Magic set.

Revealed Card Preview

After its first card announcement, below is previews at an Ally and a Shrines cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is a popular supporting figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe who resided in the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's expertise in engineering, he is able to soar through the skies using his glider, and dares Aang in a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion of the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines through letting the player loot each time you attack using an airborne unit, while additionally pumping your creatures with counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's home, this is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life when coming into play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It furthermore drains one more life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful card, given the card's low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

A big weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH is that these cards are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond sets have been receiving significant backlash by fans, a beloved series such as Avatar could be precisely just what MTG requires.

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