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MTG players consistently enjoy tribe-based tactics — who has not constructed a goblin deck once or twice? — while this forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two beloved examples that align seamlessly to its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial ability, named "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar set which provides boosts each time additional creatures with the Ally type enter the field.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also gain power when a player owns additional of them in play.

A Comeback of the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have been shown up sporadically across newer releases, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — until that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of companions on the journey to bring back peace to the world, and it's no better method to reflect this in an Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Card Showcase

Following the first card announcement, here is previews at one Allies plus one Shrine card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

This character is a popular minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe who lived at an Air Temple following his village was destroyed by a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's prowess in engineering, Teo is able to fly in the air with his glider, even dares Aang to a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use of gliders by letting you draw and discard whenever a player attacks using an airborne creature, while also boosting your creatures via counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's home, this is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life upon entering play, based on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card also removes an additional life anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like a strong addition, considering the card's low cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

One major drawback for Shrine-based strategies outside of Commander are the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be great when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently while crossover sets have been receiving significant criticism by the community, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and the full set will be launched November 21st.