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MTG players often enjoy tribe-based tactics — what player has not constructed a zombie strategy once or twice? — and this new ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing 2 beloved mechanics which align perfectly to its theme.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

One first mechanic, named "Allies," first introduced in a Zendikar and gives buffs whenever more permanents bearing this type come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment subtype which originated with Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise gain strength when a player has additional Shrines in play.

The Return for Allies Ability

While Shrines have shown up sporadically in newer releases, the Ally subtype was much rarer — but this changes in ATLA, in which this mechanic gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to gather numerous friends during his journey to bring back balance across the four nations, so there's no more fitting method to represent that through a Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following the first set announcement, here is previews at an Ally plus one Shrines card from the new ATLA set.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a beloved minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom that lived at the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's skill in engineering, Teo is able to glide in the air using a flying device, and dares the Avatar to a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's fondness for the skies along with his tribe's use on flying machines through allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying creature, and additionally boosting your team with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his home, this is represented as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you control.

It furthermore removes one more point whenever another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a powerful addition, considering its low mana cost plus valuable ETB ability.

One major weakness for Shrine-based decks outside of EDH are that these cards are typically legendary permanents, however this card is great in combination alongside another Shrine, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond products have been garnering a lot of criticism by the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what MTG requires.

Preview period has begun, and the full set set to be launched November 21st.