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Magic: The Gathering players consistently embrace tribal strategies — who has not built a goblin deck once or twice? — and this forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 well-known examples which align seamlessly with the flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Abilities

One first mechanic, called "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar and provides buffs each time additional permanents with the Ally type come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment type that first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also gain power when you controls more of them in play.

A Comeback for Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have been shown up here and there across recent sets, the Ally subtype was seldom seen — until that changes in ATLA, in which this mechanic gets central.

Aang has to recruit a lot of friends on his journey to restore peace across the world, so it's no better method to show that in an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After its first card reveal, here is previews at an Allies plus a Shrines card from the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

This character stands as a beloved supporting figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom that lived at an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's expertise with mechanics, he is able to soar in the air using his glider, and challenges Aang to a flying race.

The card Teo reproduces his fondness of the skies and the Earth Tribe's use of gliders by allowing you draw and discard each time you attack using a flying unit, and also boosting your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his dwelling, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, depending on how many Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore removes an additional life anytime another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful card, given the card's low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One big weakness for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides Commander are the fact that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains all opponents during the start of your turn.

The Welcome Collaboration

Currently when crossover sets are receiving a lot of backlash by fans, an iconic series like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, and all cards set to be launched November 21st.