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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often adopt tribal decks — what player has not assembled a goblin strategy before? — and this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives 2 beloved examples which fit seamlessly to its theme.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The first mechanic, known as "Ally," was debuted in a Zendikar which gives boosts each time additional permanents bearing this subtype come onto the field.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents another enchantment type which first appeared in Kamigawa. While not a creature tribe, Shrines likewise gain abilities when a player has more of them on the battlefield.

A Comeback of the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have been appeared occasionally across newer releases, Allies mechanic has been much rarer — but this ends in ATLA, in which this feature is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of friends on the quest to bring back balance across the four nations, and there's no better way to reflect that in a Magic set.

Revealed Card Preview

Following its first card reveal, here are a look of an Allies and one Shrines card from the new ATLA set.

Teo: A Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo stands as one beloved minor character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy from Earth Kingdom that resided in the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined by a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's skill in engineering, he is able to glide through the skies with his glider, and challenges the Avatar in a flying contest.

The card Teo reproduces his fondness for the skies along with the Earth Tribe's reliance on gliders by allowing you draw and discard each time you attack using a flying creature, and additionally strengthening your team via counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of his home, it is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life total upon entering the battlefield, based on the number Shrine cards you have.

The card furthermore removes one more life anytime a Shrine enters the field.

It looks like a powerful addition, considering its cheap cost plus good enter the battlefield effect.

One big drawback of Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH is that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple can be effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

Currently when crossover sets have been receiving significant criticism by the community, an iconic franchise like Avatar could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, and all cards set to be released November 21st.