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MTG fans often enjoy tribe-based strategies — what player hasn't constructed a zombie strategy once or twice? — while the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release revives two beloved examples that fit perfectly with the setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial mechanic, called "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar set and grants boosts whenever more permanents bearing this subtype enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments likewise become abilities as a player controls more Shrines in play.

The Comeback for Allies Ability

Although Shrines have been appeared sporadically across newer sets, Allies subtype was seldom seen — until that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must recruit a lot of friends during the journey to restore balance to the four nations, and there's no better way to show that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Exclusive Card Preview

After its initial card announcement, here are previews at one Ally plus a Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

This character stands as one cherished minor character in ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom who resided at the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined by a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Due to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo can fly through the skies using a flying device, and dares the Avatar to an aerial race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's love for flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines by letting you draw and discard each time you attack using a flying unit, and also pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, it is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

It also drains one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.

This appears to be a strong addition, considering its cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

A big drawback for Shrine decks outside of Commander is that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be great when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond products are garnering significant criticism by the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period has begun, with all cards will be released on Nov. 21.