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Magic: The Gathering fans often enjoy tribe-based decks — what player has not assembled a goblin strategy at some point? — while this forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 popular examples which align seamlessly to the flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial ability, named "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar set and gives boosts whenever more permanents bearing this type enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype that first appeared in Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become strength as a player controls additional Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have been shown up here and there in recent releases, the Ally mechanic has been much rarer — until that ends in ATLA, where the mechanic is central.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit many allies during his journey to bring back balance across the world, so there's no more fitting way to represent this through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following the first set reveal, here are a look at one Ally and a Shrine cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is one popular supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom that lived in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed in a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's skill with engineering, he can soar in the air using a flying device, and dares the Avatar to an aerial contest.

The card Teo showcases Teo's fondness for flying and the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines through letting the player loot whenever you attack using an airborne unit, and additionally boosting your creatures with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine

Regarding his home, this is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total upon entering the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you have.

It furthermore removes one more life anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like an impactful addition, considering its cheap mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One major weakness of Shrine strategies outside of EDH is that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently when crossover sets have been garnering a lot of hate by fans, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.