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MTG enthusiasts frequently enjoy tribe-based strategies — who hasn't built a goblin deck once or twice? — while this new ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing two beloved mechanics that align perfectly with its theme.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The first mechanic, known as "Allies," was debuted in the Zendikar and provides buffs each time more permanents with this type come onto the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based type that first appeared with Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines also become abilities as a player owns additional Shrines in play.

A Comeback for Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have shown up sporadically across newer releases, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — but that ends with ATLA, in which the mechanic is central.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit numerous companions during the quest to restore balance to the four nations, so there's no more fitting way to represent this through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After the first card reveal, below are a look at one Ally plus one Shrine cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is one beloved minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom who resided in the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's skill with engineering, he is able to glide through the skies using a flying device, even dares the Avatar in a flying contest.

The card Teo showcases Teo's fondness for flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders through letting you loot each time a player attacks with a flying creature, while also boosting your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, it appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore drains an additional life anytime another Shrine enters the field.

It appears to be a powerful card, given the card's low mana cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A big drawback for Shrine strategies outside of EDH is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

At a time when Universes Beyond sets have been receiving significant backlash from the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

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