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Magic: The Gathering fans often adopt tribe-based tactics — who hasn't constructed a zombie strategy at some point? — and the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release brings back two popular mechanics that fit perfectly with its theme.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

One first ability, called "Allies," was debuted with a Zendikar and gives boosts whenever more permanents bearing the Ally subtype enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based subtype which originated in Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines also gain power when a player has additional of them in play.

A Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have shown up sporadically across newer releases, the Ally mechanic was much rarer — but this changes in ATLA, in which the mechanic is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit numerous allies on the quest to restore balance to the four nations, so it's no better way to reflect this through a Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

After the initial set announcement, below is previews of an Ally and one Shrines cards from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a beloved supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of Earth Kingdom that resided in the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a disaster, an event that left him unable to walk.

Because of his father's expertise in mechanics, Teo is able to fly in the air with a flying device, even challenges Aang in a flying contest.

This card Teo showcases his passion for flying along with his tribe's reliance of gliders by letting you draw and discard each time a player attacks using a flying creature, while also pumping your creatures via +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his home, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life when entering play, based on the number of Shrines you have.

It also removes one more point anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be an impactful card, given its cheap cost plus valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A big drawback for Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH is the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great when paired alongside another Shrine, which drains every opponent during the start of your main phase.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently when Universes Beyond products have been receiving a lot of hate from fans, an iconic series like Avatar can be exactly what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, with the full set will be released November 21st.