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MTG players frequently enjoy tribe-based decks — who hasn't built a zombie deck once or twice? — and the forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back two well-known examples that match seamlessly to the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The first mechanic, known as "Ally," first introduced with a Zendikar and provides boosts whenever more permanents with this type come onto play.

Alternatively, "Shrines" represents an enchantment subtype that originated with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also become power when you controls additional of them on the battlefield.

The Return for Allies Ability

While Shrine cards have appeared here and there in recent releases, the Ally subtype has been far less common — until that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the mechanic gets central.

The protagonist Aang has to gather many companions during the journey to restore peace to the four nations, so there's no more fitting method to show this in an Magic set.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following its first set reveal, below are previews at one Allies and one Shrine cards from the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

Teo is a popular minor figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of Earth Kingdom who lived in an Air Temple following his village was ruined in a disaster, which rendered him unable to walk.

Thanks to his dad's expertise with mechanics, he can fly through the skies with a flying device, even dares Aang in a flying race.

The card Teo showcases his love of the skies and the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders by allowing the player draw and discard each time you attack using an airborne creature, while additionally strengthening your creatures with counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of his home, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life total upon coming into play, depending on how many Shrine cards you control.

It furthermore drains one more point whenever a Shrine enters the field.

It appears to be an impactful addition, given its low cost plus valuable ETB ability.

One major weakness for Shrine decks in formats besides EDH are the fact that these cards are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple is effective when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond products are receiving a lot of hate by fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what MTG requires.

Preview period has begun, and the full set will be launched November 21st.