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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts often enjoy tribal tactics — what player has not built a zombie strategy before? — while this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release is reintroducing 2 well-known examples that match perfectly with the flavor.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

One first mechanic, named "Ally," first debuted with a Zendikar set which gives boosts each time additional permanents bearing this subtype enter the field.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is an enchantment-based subtype which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines also gain abilities as you has more Shrines in play.

The Comeback of the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have shown up sporadically across newer sets, Allies subtype was seldom seen — until that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which the feature is heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of allies on his quest to bring back peace across the world, and it's no more fitting way to show this through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following its initial card announcement, below are a look at an Ally plus one Shrine cards from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender release.

Teo: The Beloved Character

Teo is one beloved minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of Earth Kingdom who lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was ruined in a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Due to his father's prowess with engineering, he is able to glide in the air with his glider, even dares the Avatar to an aerial contest.

This card Teo reproduces Teo's love of flying along with his tribe's reliance of gliders through letting you loot each time you attack using a flying unit, and also boosting your creatures with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine Enchantment

Regarding Teo's home, it is represented in a card named The Northern Air Temple, that drains your opponent's life when entering the battlefield, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.

It also drains one more point anytime a Shrine comes onto the battlefield.

This appears to be an impactful card, given the card's cheap mana cost plus good enter the battlefield ability.

One major drawback for Shrine-based strategies outside of EDH is the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, but this card is effective in combination alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Crossover

Currently when crossover sets have been receiving a lot of hate from fans, an iconic franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly what MTG requires.

Preview period has begun, with the full set set to be launched November 21st.