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MTG fans often embrace tribal tactics — who has not assembled a zombie strategy at some point? — while the upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release revives two well-known examples which align seamlessly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial mechanic, known as "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar set which grants bonuses whenever more creatures with this type come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also gain strength as a player owns more of them in play.

The Return of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been shown up sporadically in recent releases, the Ally subtype has been much rarer — until this ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature gets central.

Aang has to gather a lot of allies during his journey to bring back balance across the four nations, so it's no more fitting method to represent that through an Magic set.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

Following its initial card reveal, below are a look at one Ally and one Shrine card in the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo stands as a beloved supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from the Earth Tribe that resided at the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined by a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's prowess in mechanics, Teo can fly through the skies using his glider, even challenges Aang in a flying race.

This card Teo reproduces his love for the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines by letting the player loot whenever you attack with a flying unit, and also pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you have.

It also drains one more life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like a powerful card, considering its cheap cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One big weakness for Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander are the fact that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however this card can be effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time while crossover sets are receiving significant backlash from the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what MTG requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with all cards will be launched November 21st.