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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often embrace tribe-based decks — who has not built a goblin deck before? — while the new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives two well-known examples that align perfectly with its setting.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The initial mechanic, named "Ally," first introduced in the Zendikar set which provides buffs each time additional creatures bearing this subtype enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based subtype that originated in Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also gain power as a player has more of them in play.

A Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have appeared here and there across newer sets, Allies subtype was much rarer — but that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature gets prominently used.

Aang must recruit a lot of companions during the quest to restore balance across the world, and it's no more fitting way to reflect this in an Magic set.

Exclusive Card Preview

After the initial card reveal, here is a look of one Allies plus one Shrines cards from the new ATLA set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

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

Because of his father's prowess with mechanics, he can fly in the air using his glider, even dares the Avatar in a flying contest.

The card Teo represents Teo's love for the skies along with his tribe's use on flying machines through allowing the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with an airborne unit, while also strengthening your creatures via counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding his dwelling, this appears as a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life when coming into play, depending on how many of Shrines you control.

It furthermore removes one more life whenever another Shrine comes onto the field.

This appears to be a strong addition, considering its cheap mana cost and valuable ETB effect.

A big weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander is the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination alongside another Shrine, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while crossover sets have been garnering significant hate from fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar could be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

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