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Magic: The Gathering players consistently adopt tribal strategies — what player has not constructed a goblin strategy at some point? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set is reintroducing 2 beloved examples that align seamlessly with the theme.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One first ability, named "Allies," was introduced in the Zendikar and grants boosts each time additional permanents bearing the Ally subtype enter the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents another enchantment type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also gain power when a player has additional of them on the battlefield.

A Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have been appeared occasionally across recent releases, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — but that changes with ATLA, in which the mechanic is central.

Aang has to gather a lot of friends on the quest to restore balance to the four nations, and there's no more fitting method to reflect this through an Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

After the first card announcement, below is previews at an Allies and one Shrine card from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

Teo is one beloved minor figure in ATLA, a young man from Earth Kingdom who lived in the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined in a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's expertise with engineering, Teo is able to fly through the skies with his glider, even challenges the Avatar in a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his love of flying along with his tribe's reliance of gliders by allowing you draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying unit, and also boosting your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life when entering the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you have.

It furthermore removes one more life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like a powerful card, considering the card's cheap mana cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback of Shrine strategies outside of EDH are that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond products are receiving significant criticism by the community, a beloved series like Avatar can be exactly what MTG requires.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards will be released on Nov. 21.