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MTG enthusiasts consistently embrace tribal decks — who hasn't built an elf deck once or twice? — while the new ATLA Universes Beyond release brings back two beloved examples that fit seamlessly with its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial ability, named "Allies," first debuted in the Zendikar and gives buffs each time additional creatures bearing the Ally type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain power when a player owns additional Shrines in play.

A Return of the Ally Ability

While Shrines have been shown up occasionally across recent releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — but this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic is prominently used.

Aang has to gather numerous companions during the journey to restore peace across the world, so it's no better method to represent that in an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Card Showcase

After its initial set reveal, here are previews at one Ally plus one Shrines cards from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

This character stands as one cherished minor figure from ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe who resided at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Because of his father's prowess in engineering, he can glide through the skies using his glider, and dares the Avatar in a flying contest.

The card Teo reproduces his passion for the skies along with his tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing you loot whenever you attack using a flying creature, while also pumping your creatures with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, this is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card also removes an additional point anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be an impactful card, considering its low cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

One major weakness for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides Commander are that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but this card can be great when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond products are garnering a lot of backlash from the community, a beloved series like Avatar could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, with all cards set to be released November 21st.