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Magic: The Gathering players consistently enjoy tribal strategies — what player has not constructed a goblin strategy before? — and the new ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing 2 well-known mechanics that fit seamlessly to the flavor.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The first mechanic, called "Allies," first debuted with a Zendikar set which gives bonuses whenever additional creatures bearing the Ally subtype enter the field.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment subtype which originated with Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments likewise gain abilities as you has additional Shrines in play.

A Return of Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have shown up here and there across newer sets, the Ally mechanic has been much rarer — until that changes in ATLA, in which the feature is prominently used.

Aang has to assemble many friends on the quest to bring back balance to the four nations, and it's no better way to show that in an Magic set.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following the first set reveal, here are a look of one Allies and one Shrines card in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

This character is a beloved supporting figure from ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom who resided at an Air Temple following his home was ruined by a disaster, which rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's prowess with mechanics, Teo can soar through the skies using a flying device, even dares the Avatar to a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's passion for the skies and his tribe's use on flying machines through letting you loot whenever you attack using an airborne creature, while also strengthening your team with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of his dwelling, this is represented as a card named Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total when coming into play, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

It furthermore removes one more life anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a strong card, considering its low mana cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

One big drawback of Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently while crossover products have been garnering a lot of backlash from the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, and the full set set to be launched November 21st.