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MTG fans consistently adopt tribal decks — who hasn't built a zombie deck once or twice? — and the new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release brings back 2 beloved mechanics that fit seamlessly with its theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The first mechanic, known as "Allies," first debuted with the Zendikar and gives boosts whenever additional creatures with this type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that first appeared in Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, these enchantments likewise become abilities as a player controls more of them in play.

A Comeback of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been appeared sporadically across recent releases, Allies mechanic was seldom seen — until this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature gets prominently used.

Aang has to gather many companions on his journey to restore peace across the world, and there's no more fitting way to reflect that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

Following its first card announcement, below are previews of one Allies plus a Shrines card in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a beloved supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from the Earth Tribe that lived at an Air Temple after his village was ruined in a disaster, an event that left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's skill in mechanics, he can glide through the skies with a flying device, even challenges Aang to an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's fondness of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines through letting you loot each time a player attacks with an airborne unit, and additionally boosting your team with counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, it appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life total when entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

It furthermore drains one more point anytime a Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be a powerful card, considering its cheap cost plus valuable enter the battlefield effect.

One major weakness for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH is that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be great in combination with another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been receiving significant backlash by fans, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what MTG needs.

Spoiler season has begun, and all cards will be released November 21st.