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Magic: The Gathering players consistently enjoy tribal tactics — what player has not built an elf strategy once or twice? — and the new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back two popular examples which fit perfectly to the theme.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The first ability, named "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar which provides buffs each time additional creatures with the Ally subtype enter the field.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment subtype which first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines also become power when a player owns additional of them in play.

The Comeback for the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have been shown up sporadically across recent sets, Allies subtype has been far less common — until this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must assemble a lot of friends during his quest to bring back peace to the world, and there's no more fitting method to show that through an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

After its first set reveal, here is previews of an Ally plus one Shrine cards in the new ATLA set.

Teo: A Beloved Figure

This character is one popular supporting figure from ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe that resided in the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, an event that left him unable to walk.

Due to his father's expertise with mechanics, he is able to fly in the air using his glider, and challenges the Avatar in a flying race.

This card Teo reproduces Teo's fondness for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines by allowing the player loot whenever a player attacks with an airborne creature, and also pumping your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears in the card The Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life upon coming into play, based on the number of Shrines you control.

The card also removes an additional life whenever another Shrine comes onto the field.

It appears to be a powerful addition, considering its low mana cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

A major weakness for Shrine decks outside of Commander are the fact that these cards are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is great when paired alongside another Shrine, which drains every opponent during the start of your main phase.

The Welcome Crossover

At a time while Universes Beyond products have been garnering significant hate from the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards will be released November 21st.