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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often embrace tribe-based decks — what player has not constructed an elf strategy at some point? — while the forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two beloved mechanics which match seamlessly to the flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial mechanic, called "Allies," first debuted with the Zendikar and provides bonuses each time additional creatures with this type enter play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, these enchantments also gain strength as you owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.

A Comeback for Allies Mechanic

Although Shrines have been appeared here and there in recent sets, Allies subtype has been far less common — until this ends in ATLA, where this mechanic gets prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must gather numerous allies on the journey to restore peace across the four nations, and it's no more fitting way to show that through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

After its first card reveal, here is a look of one Allies plus one Shrines cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

Teo is a popular supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's expertise with engineering, he is able to fly in the air using a flying device, even dares the Avatar to an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his love for flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines by letting you loot each time you attack with a flying unit, while also strengthening your creatures via counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his home, this is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on how many Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore removes one more life anytime another Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be a strong addition, given its low mana cost and valuable ETB ability.

One major drawback for Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH are that Shrines are typically Legendary, however this card is effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently while crossover sets have been receiving a lot of criticism from fans, a beloved series such as Avatar can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

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