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Magic: The Gathering players often enjoy tribe-based strategies — who has not assembled a zombie strategy once or twice? — while the new ATLA Universes Beyond set revives 2 well-known mechanics which fit perfectly to its setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The initial ability, called "Ally," first debuted in a Zendikar set and provides buffs each time additional permanents with this type enter play.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" is an enchantment subtype which originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain power as a player has more of them in play.

The Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrine cards have shown up sporadically in newer sets, the Ally subtype was far less common — but that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature gets heavily featured.

Aang has to gather numerous companions during the quest to bring back balance across the world, so it's no better way to represent that through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Preview

After its first set reveal, here is a look at an Ally plus a Shrines cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

This character is one cherished supporting character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom who resided in the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's expertise in mechanics, Teo can fly through the skies with his glider, and dares Aang to a flying race.

The card Teo represents Teo's love for the skies and the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders through letting you draw and discard whenever you attack using an airborne unit, while also pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Powerful Shrine

Regarding his home, this appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total when entering the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore drains one more life whenever another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It appears to be a powerful addition, considering the card's low mana cost and valuable ETB effect.

A big weakness for Shrine decks outside of Commander is that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be great when paired alongside another Shrine, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

At a time while crossover sets have been receiving significant backlash from fans, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, with the full set set to be released November 21st.