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MTG fans consistently enjoy tribe-based tactics — what player has not assembled a zombie deck at some point? — and the new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set is reintroducing 2 popular mechanics which fit perfectly to its setting.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The first mechanic, known as "Ally," was debuted with a Zendikar set which provides bonuses each time more permanents with the Ally subtype enter the field.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is another enchantment subtype which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, these enchantments likewise become power as you controls additional Shrines in play.

A Return for Allies Mechanic

While Shrine cards have appeared occasionally across newer releases, the Ally subtype was much rarer — until that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this mechanic gets central.

Aang must recruit many companions during his quest to restore balance across the four nations, so it's no more fitting way to represent this through a Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

After the first set announcement, below is a look of one Ally plus a Shrine card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as one beloved supporting character from ATLA, a boy from the Earth Tribe who lived in the Northern Air Temple after his home was ruined by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Because of his father's expertise with mechanics, Teo is able to soar through the skies with a flying device, and dares the Avatar in an aerial contest.

This card Teo reproduces Teo's love for flying and his tribe's reliance of gliders through letting you loot whenever you attack using an airborne unit, while additionally strengthening your team via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

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

This looks like a powerful card, given the card's cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

One big weakness of Shrine-based strategies in formats besides Commander are that these cards are typically Legendary, however this card is effective when paired with another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond sets are receiving a lot of backlash from the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, and all cards set to be released November 21st.