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MTG players consistently enjoy tribe-based decks — what player has not built a goblin deck once or twice? — while this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release revives 2 beloved examples which align seamlessly to its flavor.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial ability, named "Allies," was debuted with a Zendikar set and gives buffs whenever additional creatures bearing the Ally type enter the field.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment-based subtype that first appeared with Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribe, these enchantments also gain abilities as a player controls additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Return of Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have been appeared occasionally in newer sets, the Ally subtype has been far less common — until that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit numerous friends during the journey to bring back balance to the world, so there's no better method to represent that through an Magic expansion.

Exclusive Card Showcase

After its first set reveal, here is previews of an Ally and one Shrine card from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Character

Teo stands as one popular supporting character in ATLA, a young man from Earth Kingdom who resided in an Air Temple following his home was ruined in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Because of his dad's prowess in mechanics, he is able to fly in the air using his glider, even dares the Avatar to a flying race.

The card Teo represents his fondness for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines by allowing the player loot each time you attack with a flying unit, while also boosting your creatures with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, this is represented as the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

It also removes an additional point whenever a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It appears to be a strong addition, given the card's low cost and valuable ETB effect.

A major drawback of Shrine-based strategies in formats besides Commander are that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but this card is great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been receiving significant hate by fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar could be precisely what MTG requires.

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