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MTG enthusiasts often enjoy tribe-based decks — who hasn't constructed a zombie strategy before? — and this new Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set brings back 2 popular mechanics that align perfectly to the flavor.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

One first ability, called "Ally," was introduced with a Zendikar set which grants boosts each time additional creatures with the Ally type enter the field.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents an enchantment type which originated in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribe, Shrines likewise gain strength as you owns more Shrines on the battlefield.

The Return of the Ally Mechanic

Although Shrine cards have appeared here and there in recent sets, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — until that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where this feature is central.

Aang has to gather numerous allies during the quest to restore balance across the four nations, and there's no more fitting method to reflect this through a Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Cards Showcase

Following the initial set reveal, here is previews of one Allies and one Shrine card in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo stands as a beloved minor figure in ATLA, a young man from the Earth Tribe who resided in an Air Temple following his village was destroyed in a flood, an event that rendered him unable to walk.

Because of his father's skill with mechanics, he can glide through the skies using his glider, and challenges the Avatar to a flying contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's passion for flying and the Earth Tribe's use on flying machines through allowing you loot whenever you attack using an airborne unit, and also boosting your creatures via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, it appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total upon coming into the battlefield, depending on how many of Shrines you have.

It furthermore drains an additional life anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

It looks like a strong card, considering its cheap cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

A major weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides Commander are that Shrines are typically legendary permanents, however Northern Air Temple can be great in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to every opponent during the start of your main phase.

A Timely Crossover

At a time when Universes Beyond products have been receiving a lot of hate from the community, a beloved series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be precisely what MTG requires.

Preview period has begun, with the full set will be released November 21st.