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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often embrace tribe-based decks — what player has not built an elf deck at some point? — while the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release brings back two well-known mechanics that fit seamlessly with the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One initial ability, named "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar which gives boosts each time more creatures with this type enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is another enchantment type that first appeared in Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, Shrines also become power when you controls more Shrines in play.

A Comeback for Allies Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have been appeared sporadically across newer sets, Allies subtype has been much rarer — until that changes with ATLA, in which this feature is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to gather numerous friends on the journey to bring back peace across the world, so it's no more fitting way to show that in a Magic expansion.

Revealed Card Preview

After the initial set announcement, here is previews of an Ally plus one Shrine card in the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as one cherished minor character in ATLA, a boy of Earth Kingdom who lived in an Air Temple after his village was ruined in a flood, which left him unable to walk.

Thanks to his father's expertise in mechanics, he is able to soar in the air with his glider, even challenges Aang in a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his fondness of flying and his tribe's use of flying machines through allowing you draw and discard whenever you attack using a flying unit, while also strengthening your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life upon entering the battlefield, based on the number of Shrines you control.

It furthermore drains an additional life anytime another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This looks like an impactful addition, considering the card's low cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

A big weakness for Shrine-based strategies outside of Commander is that these cards are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination with another Shrine, that deals damage to all opponents during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

At a time while Universes Beyond products are garnering a lot of criticism from the community, a beloved series such as Avatar could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period has begun, with all cards set to be launched on Nov. 21.