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MTG enthusiasts often enjoy tribe-based strategies — what player hasn't assembled a zombie deck before? — while this forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two well-known examples that fit perfectly to the setting.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The first mechanic, named "Allies," was introduced with a Zendikar which gives boosts whenever more permanents with this subtype enter the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also become power when a player controls additional of them in play.

A Return of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have been appeared here and there in recent releases, the Ally mechanic was far less common — but this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this mechanic is central.

Aang has to recruit many friends on the journey to restore balance across the four nations, so it's no better way to show this through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following its first set announcement, below is previews of an Ally plus a Shrine cards from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character stands as a cherished minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe that lived in an Air Temple following his village was ruined by a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's expertise in mechanics, Teo can glide through the skies with his glider, even challenges Aang in an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's love of flying and the Earth Tribe's use of gliders by allowing you loot whenever you attack using a flying creature, and additionally pumping your creatures with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total upon coming into play, depending on how many of Shrines you have.

It furthermore drains an additional point whenever another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a strong card, considering its low cost plus good ETB ability.

One big weakness for Shrine strategies outside of EDH is the fact that these cards are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond products have been garnering a lot of criticism from fans, an iconic series like Avatar could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, and the full set set to be released November 21st.