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MTG enthusiasts often enjoy tribal tactics — what player hasn't constructed an elf strategy at some point? — and the upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release revives 2 well-known mechanics that match seamlessly to the theme.

Returning Tribal Abilities

The first ability, known as "Ally," first debuted in the Zendikar and grants bonuses each time additional creatures bearing the Ally subtype enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, Shrines also become power as a player controls more of them in play.

A Return of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have appeared occasionally across recent releases, the Ally subtype was far less common — but that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets central.

Aang has to gather a lot of companions during the quest to bring back peace to the world, so it's no more fitting way to represent this through a Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

After its first card announcement, here is previews at one Allies and one Shrines cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: A Beloved Character

This character stands as a beloved minor character in ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom that lived at an Air Temple after his village was ruined by a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's expertise with mechanics, he is able to fly through the skies with a flying device, and challenges the Avatar in an aerial contest.

This card Teo reproduces his love of the skies and his tribe's use on gliders by allowing the player draw and discard whenever you attack using a flying creature, while also pumping your creatures via counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, it is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total upon entering play, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore removes one more point whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like a strong addition, given its low cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

One big weakness for Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH are that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but this card can be great in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond products are receiving significant criticism by fans, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, and the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.