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Magic: The Gathering players frequently adopt tribal strategies — what player hasn't assembled a zombie strategy at some point? — while the forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 well-known examples that fit perfectly to its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial ability, named "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar set which gives buffs whenever more permanents bearing this type come onto the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based subtype which first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise become abilities as a player owns more of them on the battlefield.

The Return for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrines have shown up occasionally across newer sets, the Ally subtype was far less common — but this ends with ATLA, in which this mechanic is prominently used.

Aang has to gather a lot of friends during his quest to bring back peace to the four nations, so there's no more fitting method to represent this in an Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following the initial card reveal, here are previews at one Ally and a Shrine card from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

This character is one popular minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom who lived in an Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his father's prowess with mechanics, Teo can fly through the skies with his glider, even challenges Aang in a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his love for the skies and his tribe's use on flying machines through letting the player loot whenever a player attacks with an airborne unit, and also boosting your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his home, it appears in the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces an opponent's life total when coming into play, based on the number Shrine cards you have.

It also removes an additional point whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like a powerful card, given the card's low cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

A major weakness of Shrine strategies outside of EDH are that Shrines are always Legendary, however this card is great when paired alongside another Shrine, which deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Timely Crossover

Currently when crossover products are garnering a lot of criticism by the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar can be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

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