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MTG players consistently embrace tribal strategies — who has not assembled a zombie deck once or twice? — while this new ATLA Universes Beyond release revives two beloved examples which align seamlessly to the theme.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One first ability, called "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar set and grants boosts each time more permanents with this type come onto the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" represents another enchantment subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines also gain abilities when you controls more of them in play.

A Comeback for the Ally Ability

While Shrines have appeared here and there across newer sets, Allies subtype has been far less common — but that changes in ATLA, in which the mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang must recruit numerous friends during the journey to restore balance across the four nations, and it's no better way to show this in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following the initial card announcement, below is previews of one Ally and one Shrine cards from the new ATLA release.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a beloved minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe that resided in the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined by a disaster, which left him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's expertise with engineering, Teo can soar through the skies using a flying device, and dares the Avatar to a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion for flying and his tribe's use on gliders by letting the player draw and discard each time a player attacks using an airborne unit, and also pumping your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his home, this is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total when entering play, based on how many of Shrines you control.

The card also drains one more point whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like a powerful addition, given the card's cheap cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback of Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH is that these cards are typically Legendary, however this card is great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

At a time while crossover sets are receiving significant criticism by fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with all cards set to be released November 21st.