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MTG enthusiasts consistently enjoy tribe-based decks — who hasn't constructed an elf strategy once or twice? — while this new ATLA Universes Beyond set revives 2 well-known examples which match perfectly with the setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first mechanic, called "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar set and grants buffs each time more permanents bearing this subtype enter the field.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is another enchantment subtype which first appeared in Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise become power as a player controls more Shrines in play.

A Return of Allies Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been shown up here and there in recent sets, Allies mechanic has been far less common — but that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic is central.

Aang must assemble many friends on his quest to restore balance across the four nations, and it's no better way to show this through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

After the first set reveal, below are a look at an Ally and a Shrine cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

This character is a popular supporting figure in ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who lived in the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's expertise in engineering, he is able to glide through the skies using his glider, even dares the Avatar in an aerial contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion of flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing you draw and discard whenever a player attacks with an airborne unit, while also boosting your creatures with counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.

The card also drains one more point whenever a Shrine enters the field.

This looks like a strong addition, given the card's cheap cost and good ETB ability.

One major drawback of Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH is that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination with another Shrine, which drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond sets have been garnering a lot of hate from the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, and the full set set to be released on Nov. 21.