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Magic: The Gathering fans consistently adopt tribe-based strategies — who hasn't built a goblin strategy before? — and the upcoming ATLA crossover release brings back 2 well-known examples which match seamlessly with the flavor.

Returning Tribal Abilities

The first mechanic, called "Allies," was introduced in a Zendikar and gives boosts whenever more permanents with the Ally type enter the battlefield.

Alternatively, "Shrine" represents another enchantment-based type that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not a creature tribal theme, these enchantments also gain abilities when a player controls additional Shrines in play.

A Comeback of the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have shown up sporadically across recent releases, Allies mechanic was far less common — but that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature is prominently used.

Aang has to recruit many companions on his journey to restore balance to the four nations, so there's no more fitting method to show that in a Magic set.

Exclusive Card Showcase

Following the first set announcement, here are previews at one Ally and a Shrines cards in the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Figure

Teo is one beloved minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of the Earth Tribe who lived in an Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a disaster, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's expertise with engineering, Teo can soar through the skies using a flying device, and dares Aang to an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider showcases Teo's fondness of flying along with the Earth Tribe's reliance of flying machines through allowing the player draw and discard each time you attack using a flying creature, while additionally strengthening your creatures via counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of his dwelling, this is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total upon entering play, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

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

This looks like a strong addition, considering its low mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield effect.

A big weakness of Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH are that Shrines are always legendary permanents, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent during the start of your main phase.

The Timely Crossover

At a time when crossover products have been receiving a lot of criticism by fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering needs.

Preview period has begun, with the full set will be released on Nov. 21.