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Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts frequently adopt tribe-based tactics — who hasn't constructed a zombie deck before? — while the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing 2 beloved examples which match perfectly to the theme.

Returning Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

One first mechanic, known as "Allies," was debuted in the Zendikar set which provides bonuses whenever more permanents with this type enter play.

On the other hand, "Shrines" represents another enchantment-based type that first appeared with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribal theme, Shrines likewise gain abilities as you has additional Shrines in play.

The Return for the Ally Mechanic

While Shrines have been shown up sporadically across recent sets, the Ally mechanic has been far less common — but that ends in ATLA, where the mechanic gets central.

The protagonist Aang has to recruit many friends on the quest to bring back balance across the four nations, and it's no more fitting way to reflect this through an Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Card Preview

Following the initial set reveal, here is a look of one Ally and one Shrines card from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Fan-Favorite Character

Teo stands as a beloved minor character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a boy of the Earth Tribe that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his village was destroyed by a flood, which rendered him paraplegic.

Due to his dad's skill with mechanics, Teo is able to soar in the air using a flying device, and challenges the Avatar to an aerial contest.

This card Teo represents his fondness for the skies along with his tribe's use of gliders through letting you draw and discard each time a player attacks using an airborne creature, and additionally boosting your creatures with +1/+1 counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it appears as the card Northern Air Temple, which reduces your opponent's life upon entering play, based on the number of Shrines you control.

The card furthermore removes an additional life anytime another Shrine comes onto the field.

This looks like an impactful card, given its low cost plus good ETB effect.

A big drawback for Shrine-based decks in formats besides EDH is that these cards are always Legendary, however Northern Air Temple is effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, which drains every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Crossover

At a time when crossover sets are garnering a lot of criticism by fans, an iconic series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, and the full set will be launched on Nov. 21.