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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently enjoy tribal strategies — what player has not assembled a zombie deck at some point? — and the new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set is reintroducing two well-known mechanics that match seamlessly to the flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first mechanic, known as "Allies," first introduced with the Zendikar and provides boosts whenever additional creatures with the Ally subtype come onto the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents an enchantment subtype that first appeared with Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise become abilities as you controls more Shrines in play.

The Return for the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have been appeared occasionally across recent sets, the Ally mechanic was far less common — until that changes in ATLA, in which the mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang must assemble numerous allies on the journey to bring back balance across the four nations, and it's no more fitting way to represent that in an Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

After its first card reveal, here are previews of one Ally plus a Shrine card in the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo stands as one popular minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from the Earth Tribe that resided at an Air Temple after his home was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's skill with engineering, he is able to glide through the skies using his glider, and challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

This card Teo represents his passion for the skies along with his tribe's reliance of flying machines by allowing the player loot whenever a player attacks using an airborne unit, while additionally pumping your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, it is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life when entering the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

It also removes one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a powerful card, given its cheap cost plus valuable ETB ability.

A big drawback of Shrine decks in formats besides Commander is that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple can be effective when paired alongside another Shrine, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond sets have been receiving a lot of criticism by the community, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what MTG needs.

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