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MTG players often embrace tribal tactics — who has not assembled a goblin strategy at some point? — while this new ATLA Universes Beyond set revives 2 popular examples that match seamlessly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial mechanic, called "Ally," was debuted with the Zendikar set and gives bonuses each time more permanents with the Ally type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment type that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain abilities as a player controls additional of them in play.

The Comeback of Allies Ability

Although Shrines have been shown up sporadically across newer sets, the Ally mechanic has been much rarer — until this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang has to gather numerous friends during his journey to bring back balance across the four nations, and it's no better way to reflect this through a Magic set.

Revealed Card Preview

Following its first set announcement, here are a look at an Ally plus one Shrines cards in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

This character stands as a popular supporting figure from ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed by a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo can soar through the skies using his glider, even challenges Aang in an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use on gliders by letting you draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying creature, while also strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his dwelling, it is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

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

This appears to be a powerful addition, considering its low cost plus good ETB ability.

A major weakness for Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired alongside another Shrine, which drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time while crossover sets are receiving significant backlash by the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar can be precisely what MTG needs.

Preview period has begun, and the full set will be released on Nov. 21.