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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts consistently enjoy tribal tactics — who has not constructed an elf deck once or twice? — while the new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing 2 popular examples that fit seamlessly to the setting.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Abilities

The first mechanic, called "Allies," first introduced in a Zendikar set which provides buffs each time additional permanents with this type come onto the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrine" represents an enchantment-based type that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines also become strength when you controls additional of them in play.

A Return of the Ally Ability

Although Shrines have appeared occasionally across recent releases, the Ally mechanic was far less common — until this changes in ATLA, where this feature gets central.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit many friends during the journey to restore balance across the four nations, so it's no better method to show that in an Magic: The Gathering expansion.

Revealed Card Showcase

Following the first set announcement, below is previews at an Ally and one Shrine card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

Teo is a beloved supporting character in ATLA, a young man of the Earth Tribe that lived in an Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's expertise in engineering, Teo can soar in the air with a flying device, and challenges the Avatar to a flying race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases his passion of flying and the Earth Tribe's use of flying machines by letting you loot each time you attack with an airborne unit, and also pumping your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: A Strong Shrine

Speaking of his home, it appears in the card Northern Air Temple, which drains your opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you have.

It also removes one more life anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like a strong card, considering the card's cheap mana cost plus valuable ETB effect.

One big drawback for Shrine strategies in formats besides Commander are that these cards are typically legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is great in combination with another Shrine, which drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

At a time while Universes Beyond products are receiving significant criticism from the community, a beloved series like Avatar could be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.