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Magic: The Gathering players frequently enjoy tribal tactics — who has not built a zombie strategy before? — and the new ATLA crossover set revives two popular mechanics which fit seamlessly with its theme.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first mechanic, named "Ally," first introduced with the Zendikar which grants boosts whenever additional permanents with the Ally type enter the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is another enchantment-based type which originated with Champions of Kamigawa. Although not exactly a creature tribe, Shrines also become strength as you owns more of them in play.

The Return for the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have appeared sporadically in newer sets, the Ally mechanic has been seldom seen — but that changes with Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which this feature gets heavily featured.

The protagonist Aang has to gather a lot of allies on the quest to restore balance across the world, and it's no more fitting way to represent that through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Exclusive Cards Preview

Following the initial card announcement, here are previews of one Allies and a Shrines card from the upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo: The Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a popular supporting character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from the Earth Tribe that lived at the Northern Air Temple following his home was destroyed by a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's expertise with mechanics, he is able to glide through the skies with his glider, and dares the Avatar to an aerial contest.

The card Teo, Spirited Glider reproduces Teo's passion for flying and his tribe's reliance on gliders through allowing the player loot each time you attack using an airborne unit, and also strengthening your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

The Temple Card: A Powerful Shrine

Speaking of his home, this appears in a card named Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total upon entering play, depending on the number Shrine cards you control.

The card furthermore removes an additional life anytime another Shrine enters the battlefield.

This appears to be a strong addition, given its cheap cost plus good ETB effect.

A big drawback of Shrine strategies outside of Commander are that Shrines are always legendary permanents, however this card can be great in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents during the start of your main phase.

The Welcome Collaboration

Currently when Universes Beyond products have been garnering significant backlash from the community, a beloved series like Avatar: The Last Airbender could be exactly just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

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