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MTG enthusiasts often embrace tribe-based tactics — who has not constructed an elf strategy at some point? — and the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release brings back 2 well-known examples which match seamlessly to its flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One first ability, called "Allies," was debuted with the Zendikar and grants bonuses each time additional creatures with this type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also gain power when you has more of them on the battlefield.

The Comeback of the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have been appeared here and there in recent releases, the Ally mechanic was far less common — until that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang must gather many allies on his quest to restore balance across the world, so it's no more fitting method to show this through a Magic set.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

After its first set reveal, here are previews of one Allies plus a Shrine cards in the new ATLA release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

This character is one beloved minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe who lived in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, an event that left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's skill with mechanics, Teo is able to glide through the skies with a flying device, and challenges the Avatar in a flying race.

The card Teo showcases his passion of the skies and the Earth Tribe's reliance of gliders through allowing you loot whenever you attack with an airborne creature, and also boosting your creatures with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Speaking of his home, this appears as a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life upon entering play, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore drains an additional point whenever a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This looks like a strong addition, given the card's cheap cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

One major drawback of Shrine strategies outside of EDH are the fact that Shrines are always Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be great when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which deals damage to all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

At a time while crossover products are garnering significant criticism from the community, a beloved franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period is already here, with the full set set to be launched November 21st.