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Magic: The Gathering players frequently embrace tribe-based decks — what player has not built a goblin strategy before? — while the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release brings back two popular mechanics that fit seamlessly to the setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One initial ability, called "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar and provides buffs whenever additional creatures bearing this type enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise become abilities when a player has more of them in play.

The Comeback of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrines have been shown up sporadically across newer sets, Allies mechanic has been seldom seen — but this ends in ATLA, where the mechanic is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must recruit numerous friends on his quest to restore peace across the world, so there's no more fitting method to show that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After its initial set reveal, below is a look of one Ally plus a Shrines cards in the new ATLA set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character is one cherished minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom who lived at the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's expertise in engineering, Teo is able to glide in the air using his glider, and challenges the Avatar to a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his love for flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders through letting you loot whenever a player attacks using a flying unit, while also strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, this appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you have.

It also drains one more point anytime a Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be an impactful addition, given its cheap cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A major drawback of Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH are that these cards are typically Legendary, however this card is great when paired alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

Currently while crossover sets have been receiving significant hate by the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar could be exactly what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with the full set will be launched November 21st.