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Magic: The Gathering fans often enjoy tribal tactics — what player hasn't constructed an elf deck before? — and this forthcoming ATLA crossover release is reintroducing two beloved examples that fit perfectly to its theme.

Returning Tribal Mechanics

The initial ability, known as "Allies," first introduced in a Zendikar which grants bonuses whenever additional creatures with the Ally type enter play.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment subtype which first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also become power as you owns more Shrines in play.

The Comeback for Allies Mechanic

While Shrines have appeared here and there across newer releases, the Ally subtype was far less common — until that ends with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang must assemble numerous allies on his quest to restore balance to the world, so it's no more fitting way to show this in a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Preview

After the first set announcement, here are a look of one Allies and one Shrine card in the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is one popular supporting figure from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined by a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his father's prowess in engineering, Teo is able to glide through the skies using a flying device, even dares Aang to a flying race.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's fondness for flying and the Earth Tribe's reliance on flying machines by letting you draw and discard each time you attack using a flying creature, and also pumping your team via +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Powerful Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this is represented in the card Northern Air Temple, that drains an opponent's life when coming into the battlefield, based on how many of Shrines you control.

It furthermore drains one more life whenever a Shrine comes onto the field.

It looks like a strong card, considering its low mana cost and valuable ETB effect.

One big drawback for Shrine-based strategies outside of Commander is that these cards are typically Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains every opponent during the start of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently when crossover sets have been garnering significant hate by fans, a beloved series like Avatar could be precisely just what MTG needs.

Preview period is already here, and the full set will be released on Nov. 21.