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Magic: The Gathering players consistently enjoy tribe-based decks — who hasn't assembled a goblin strategy once or twice? — while the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set revives two well-known mechanics that match seamlessly to its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One first mechanic, known as "Allies," first debuted with the Zendikar which provides boosts each time more creatures with this type enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents an enchantment subtype which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, these enchantments likewise gain strength when a player owns more of them in play.

A Return for the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have shown up here and there in newer releases, Allies subtype was far less common — until this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang must gather numerous companions during the journey to bring back peace across the world, so there's no better method to represent this through an Magic set.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following the first card reveal, here is a look at an Allies and one Shrines cards from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

This character is one beloved minor character from ATLA, a young man from Earth Kingdom who lived at an Air Temple after his village was ruined by a disaster, which left him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's expertise in mechanics, Teo can fly in the air using his glider, even challenges the Avatar to an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's passion for flying and his tribe's reliance on gliders by letting the player draw and discard each time you attack using an airborne creature, while also strengthening your team with counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, this is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life total when entering play, based on how many of Shrines you have.

The card also drains one more life anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like a strong card, considering its low mana cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One major drawback of Shrine-based strategies in formats besides Commander are the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great when paired alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Welcome Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond products have been garnering a lot of criticism by fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what MTG requires.

Preview period has begun, and the full set will be released on Nov. 21.