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Magic: The Gathering fans consistently enjoy tribe-based decks — what player hasn't assembled an elf strategy before? — while the upcoming ATLA Universes Beyond set is reintroducing two beloved mechanics that align seamlessly with its setting.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One initial mechanic, named "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar set which grants buffs each time more permanents bearing the Ally subtype enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise gain abilities when a player owns more of them in play.

The Comeback of Allies Ability

Although Shrines have been shown up sporadically across newer releases, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — but that changes in ATLA, where the feature is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit many allies on the quest to restore balance to the four nations, so it's no more fitting method to represent this through an Magic set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following its first set announcement, below is previews at one Allies plus a Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Character

Teo is one popular supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe who resided at an Air Temple after his home was destroyed in a disaster, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Due to his father's skill in mechanics, Teo is able to glide through the skies with a flying device, even challenges Aang in an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's fondness for the skies along with his tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing the player loot each time a player attacks with a flying creature, and additionally strengthening your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's home, this is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total upon entering the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore drains an additional point whenever another Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like a powerful card, considering its cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

One major weakness for Shrine-based strategies in formats besides EDH is that Shrines are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Crossover

Currently while Universes Beyond sets have been garnering a lot of criticism by the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar can be exactly just what MTG needs.

Preview period has begun, with the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.