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Magic: The Gathering fans often enjoy tribe-based strategies — what player has not constructed an elf strategy at some point? — and this forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing two well-known examples that match perfectly to its theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first mechanic, named "Allies," was debuted in the Zendikar and grants bonuses each time more creatures with this type enter the field.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based type that first appeared in Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain power when you has additional of them in play.

A Comeback of Allies Ability

While Shrines have been appeared occasionally across newer releases, Allies subtype was far less common — until that ends with ATLA, in which this feature gets central.

The protagonist Aang must assemble numerous allies on the journey to bring back peace across the world, and it's no more fitting way to show that through an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

Following the initial card announcement, here are previews of one Allies plus one Shrine card from the new ATLA release.

Teo: The Beloved Character

Teo stands as a cherished minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom who lived in the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's expertise with mechanics, Teo is able to glide through the skies with his glider, and dares Aang to a flying contest.

The card Teo reproduces Teo's fondness for the skies and his tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing you loot whenever you attack with an airborne unit, and also boosting your team via counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, it is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life when coming into play, based on how many of Shrines you have.

The card furthermore drains one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be an impactful card, considering the card's cheap cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

A major drawback of Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander is the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

At a time while Universes Beyond sets have been receiving significant backlash from the community, a beloved series like Avatar could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, with the full set set to be launched November 21st.