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MTG players consistently adopt tribe-based decks — who has not built an elf strategy at some point? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back 2 popular examples which match perfectly to the theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Abilities

One first mechanic, known as "Ally," first introduced in the Zendikar and gives buffs whenever more permanents with the Ally subtype come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is another enchantment subtype which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines also become power as you has additional Shrines in play.

The Return for Allies Ability

Although Shrines have shown up occasionally in recent releases, Allies subtype has been much rarer — but this changes with ATLA, in which the mechanic gets prominently used.

Aang has to recruit numerous companions on his journey to bring back balance to the four nations, so there's no more fitting method to represent that through a Magic set.

Revealed Card Preview

After the initial card announcement, here are previews at one Ally and a Shrine card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

This character is a cherished minor figure from ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe who lived in the Northern Air Temple after his village was ruined by a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's prowess with mechanics, Teo is able to glide in the air with his glider, and dares the Avatar to a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider represents his fondness of flying and his tribe's reliance on flying machines through allowing the player draw and discard whenever a player attacks with an airborne creature, while additionally strengthening your team with counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, this appears in the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life when entering the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

It also drains an additional life whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a strong addition, given the card's low cost and good enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback for Shrine strategies outside of Commander is that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, but this card is great when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond products have been garnering a lot of criticism by the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Spoiler season has begun, with all cards set to be released November 21st.