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Magic: The Gathering players often enjoy tribe-based decks — who has not built a zombie strategy once or twice? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two beloved mechanics which fit perfectly to the flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first mechanic, called "Allies," was introduced in a Zendikar set and gives buffs each time more permanents with this subtype come onto the field.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is another enchantment-based type that first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also become strength as a player controls more Shrines in play.

A Comeback of Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have been appeared here and there across newer releases, the Ally mechanic has been much rarer — until this changes in ATLA, in which this mechanic is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must assemble numerous companions during the journey to bring back peace to the four nations, so there's no more fitting way to reflect this in an Magic set.

Revealed Card Preview

After its first card reveal, here are a look of an Ally and one Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is one popular supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his father's prowess with engineering, Teo is able to soar in the air using a flying device, and dares the Avatar in an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his passion of flying and his tribe's use on gliders through letting the player draw and discard each time a player attacks using an airborne unit, and also pumping your team via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total when entering play, based on how many of Shrines you have.

It also drains one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like an impactful card, considering its low cost and valuable ETB effect.

A major weakness for Shrine-based decks outside of Commander are the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently while crossover sets are receiving significant backlash from fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards will be launched November 21st.