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Magic: The Gathering players consistently embrace tribal strategies — what player hasn't assembled a goblin strategy before? — and the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond release is reintroducing 2 well-known examples that match seamlessly with its setting.

Returning Tribal Abilities

One first mechanic, known as "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar which provides bonuses each time additional permanents with the Ally type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment subtype that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also gain abilities when you has more of them in play.

The Comeback of Allies Ability

While Shrines have been appeared occasionally across newer releases, the Ally mechanic has been far less common — until this changes with ATLA, where this feature is central.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of companions during his journey to bring back peace to the world, and it's no better way to represent this in a Magic set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following the first set reveal, below is previews at an Allies and one Shrine card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

Teo stands as one cherished supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from Earth Kingdom who resided in an Air Temple following his village was ruined by a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Due to his father's prowess with engineering, Teo can fly through the skies using a flying device, and dares the Avatar to a flying contest.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces his fondness for flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders by letting the player loot each time a player attacks with an airborne unit, and additionally boosting your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his dwelling, it is represented in a card named Northern Air Temple, that reduces an opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on how many of Shrines you have.

It also drains an additional life whenever a Shrine enters the field.

It looks like a powerful card, considering its low mana cost and valuable ETB ability.

One major weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH is the fact that these cards are always Legendary, but this card can be great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Collaboration

Currently when crossover sets are receiving a lot of backlash by fans, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what MTG needs.

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