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MTG players frequently embrace tribal tactics — what player hasn't built an elf strategy before? — and the new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set is reintroducing two popular examples that align perfectly with the theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first ability, called "Allies," first debuted in a Zendikar set and gives buffs each time more creatures with the Ally type come onto play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines also gain power when you owns more of them in play.

The Comeback for the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have shown up occasionally across recent sets, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — until that ends in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature gets heavily featured.

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

Exclusive Card Showcase

Following the initial set announcement, below are previews of an Allies and a Shrine cards from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

Teo is a beloved minor character in ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe that lived in the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed in a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's skill with mechanics, he is able to fly in the air using a flying device, and challenges Aang to an aerial contest.

This card Teo represents Teo's love for flying and his tribe's reliance of gliders by letting the player loot each time you attack with an airborne unit, and additionally pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine

Regarding his home, it appears in the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life total upon entering play, depending on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card also drains an additional point anytime another Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful card, given the card's low cost and good enter the battlefield ability.

A big drawback for Shrine decks outside of Commander are that these cards are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired 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 receiving a lot of hate from the community, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, with the full set set to be launched November 21st.