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MTG fans often adopt tribal strategies — what player has not built a zombie deck before? — while the forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing 2 beloved examples which align perfectly with the theme.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

One initial mechanic, named "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar set and grants bonuses each time more creatures bearing this type enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is another enchantment type which first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also become power when you has more Shrines in play.

A Comeback for the Ally Ability

While Shrines have been shown up here and there in recent sets, Allies mechanic has been seldom seen — until this ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must assemble many companions on his quest to restore peace to the world, and there's no more fitting method to show that in an Magic set.

Revealed Cards Preview

After the initial set announcement, here are previews of one Allies and one Shrines card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: A Beloved Character

This character is one beloved minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that lived in the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's expertise with engineering, Teo can soar through the skies using his glider, and dares Aang to a flying race.

This card Teo showcases his love for the skies and the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines by letting you draw and discard whenever a player attacks using a flying unit, and additionally boosting your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you have.

The card also removes one more life anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a powerful addition, given the card's cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback of Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but this card can be effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time while crossover sets are garnering a lot of hate by fans, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what MTG needs.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set set to be launched on Nov. 21.