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Magic: The Gathering players often enjoy tribal decks — what player hasn't assembled a zombie deck once or twice? — while the new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives 2 beloved examples that align perfectly with the theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The initial ability, called "Ally," first debuted in a Zendikar set and gives bonuses whenever additional permanents bearing the Ally subtype enter the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrines" is an enchantment-based type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also gain power when you owns more of them on the battlefield.

A Return for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrine cards have shown up sporadically in recent releases, Allies subtype has been much rarer — until this changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the mechanic is prominently used.

The protagonist Aang must gather numerous friends during his quest to restore balance across the four nations, so there's no more fitting method to reflect that in a Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

After its initial card announcement, here are a look at one Ally and a Shrines card in the new ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Figure

This character stands as one cherished minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man of Earth Kingdom who lived at an Air Temple after his home was ruined by a flood, an event that left him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's expertise in engineering, he is able to fly through the skies with a flying device, and challenges Aang in a flying contest.

This card Teo reproduces Teo's passion for the skies along with his tribe's use of gliders by letting the player loot each time you attack with a flying creature, and additionally strengthening your team with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Strong Shrine

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

The card also drains one more point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

It appears to be a powerful card, considering its cheap mana cost and valuable ETB ability.

One major weakness of Shrine strategies in formats besides Commander are that Shrines are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is great when paired alongside Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

A Welcome Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond products have been garnering a lot of backlash from fans, an iconic franchise like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period has begun, and the full set will be launched November 21st.