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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently adopt tribal decks — who has not built an elf strategy at some point? — and the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 popular mechanics which fit perfectly with the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The initial ability, named "Allies," was introduced in a Zendikar and grants buffs whenever additional creatures with this subtype come onto the battlefield.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based subtype which originated in Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also gain abilities as you has more of them on the battlefield.

The Return of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrines have appeared occasionally in newer releases, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — but this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature gets central.

Aang must gather a lot of friends during his quest to restore peace to the world, and there's no better method to represent this in a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following its first set announcement, below is a look at one Ally and a Shrine card from the new ATLA set.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

This character stands as one popular minor character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe who lived at an Air Temple after his home was ruined in a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's skill with engineering, he is able to glide through the skies using his glider, and dares Aang to a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's fondness for flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing the player draw and discard whenever you attack with an airborne creature, and also pumping your team via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total upon entering play, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore drains one more life anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like a strong addition, considering the card's low cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A big weakness for Shrine decks outside of EDH are the fact that these cards are always Legendary, but this card is great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond products are garnering significant hate by fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering needs.

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