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MTG players often embrace tribal decks — who hasn't built an elf strategy at some point? — while this upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release revives two popular mechanics which match perfectly with the setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial ability, called "Ally," was introduced in a Zendikar set which provides buffs each time more permanents bearing the Ally type enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is an enchantment subtype that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, these enchantments also gain abilities when you owns additional Shrines in play.

The Return for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have shown up occasionally in newer releases, Allies mechanic was far less common — until that changes with ATLA, in which the mechanic gets prominently used.

Aang has to assemble numerous allies on his journey to restore peace across the world, so there's no more fitting way to show this through an Magic set.

Exclusive Card Preview

After the initial card reveal, below is previews of one Ally plus one Shrines cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Beloved Character

This character stands as one cherished supporting figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that resided at an Air Temple after his village was ruined in a disaster, an event that left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's skill with engineering, Teo can glide in the air using a flying device, and challenges Aang to a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his love of flying and his tribe's reliance on flying machines by allowing you draw and discard each time a player attacks with an airborne unit, while also boosting your creatures with counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, it appears in the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life when entering the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you control.

It also removes an additional point whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like a powerful addition, given its low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

A major drawback of Shrine strategies outside of EDH is that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however this card is effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.

A Welcome Collaboration

At a time while Universes Beyond products are garnering significant criticism by the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

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