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MTG players consistently adopt tribal strategies — who has not assembled an elf deck before? — while this forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing 2 popular mechanics which fit perfectly with its flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One initial mechanic, called "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar set which gives buffs whenever additional creatures with the Ally type enter play.

On the other hand, "Shrine" represents an enchantment type that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also gain strength as a player controls additional of them on the battlefield.

A Return of the Ally Ability

While Shrines have been shown up occasionally in recent sets, the Ally mechanic was seldom seen — but that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to assemble a lot of friends on the journey to restore balance to the world, so there's no better method to reflect that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

After its first card announcement, below are previews at an Allies plus one Shrines card in the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

Teo is a popular minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that resided at an Air Temple after his home was ruined in a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Because of his dad's prowess in mechanics, he is able to fly through the skies using his glider, and challenges Aang in an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his fondness for flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders through letting the player loot each time you attack using a flying creature, and additionally pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

It furthermore removes one more life whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like a powerful card, considering the card's low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One major weakness of Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond products are receiving a lot of hate from the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, and all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.