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Magic: The Gathering fans often enjoy tribal decks — what player hasn't assembled a zombie strategy once or twice? — while the forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set revives 2 popular mechanics which match perfectly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial ability, known as "Ally," first introduced with the Zendikar set and provides buffs whenever more creatures with this subtype come onto the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is another enchantment-based type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain abilities when you has more of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback for the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have been appeared here and there in recent releases, Allies subtype has been far less common — until that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets central.

Aang has to recruit numerous companions on the quest to bring back peace to the world, and it's no more fitting method to represent that in a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Preview

After the first card reveal, below is a look at one Ally plus one Shrine card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as one cherished supporting figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that lived in the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's skill in engineering, Teo is able to soar through the skies using a flying device, and dares Aang in a flying contest.

The card Teo represents Teo's fondness of the skies and his tribe's reliance of flying machines by letting you loot whenever a player attacks with an airborne unit, and additionally strengthening your team via counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's home, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life upon coming into play, based on the number of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore drains an additional point whenever another Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like a strong addition, considering the card's cheap mana cost and valuable ETB effect.

A big weakness for Shrine strategies outside of Commander are that these cards are always legendary permanents, however this card is great in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been garnering a lot of backlash from fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, with all cards set to be launched November 21st.