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MTG enthusiasts often adopt tribe-based strategies — what player has not constructed a zombie strategy before? — while the forthcoming ATLA Universes Beyond release is reintroducing two popular mechanics which match perfectly to its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The initial mechanic, known as "Ally," first debuted with the Zendikar set and provides buffs each time additional permanents with the Ally type come onto the field.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is another enchantment-based type that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, these enchantments likewise become strength as you has more of them on the battlefield.

The Return for the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have appeared here and there across recent sets, Allies subtype has been much rarer — until this changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit a lot of companions during his journey to restore balance across the four nations, and there's no better method to reflect that in an Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following its initial card announcement, here are previews of an Allies plus a Shrine cards in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is a popular minor character in ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who lived at the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a disaster, an event that left him unable to walk.

Due to his father's prowess with mechanics, he can glide through the skies with a flying device, even dares the Avatar in an aerial race.

This card Teo reproduces his love of the skies and the Earth Tribe's use on gliders through allowing the player draw and discard each time a player attacks using an airborne creature, and additionally strengthening your creatures with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his dwelling, this appears as the card The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total when coming into play, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore drains an additional life whenever another Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be an impactful addition, considering the card's low mana cost and valuable ETB ability.

One major drawback for Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH is the fact that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but this card is great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

Currently while crossover products are receiving significant hate from fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what MTG requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.