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Magic: The Gathering players consistently adopt tribal tactics — who hasn't assembled an elf deck before? — and this upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing 2 popular examples which match seamlessly to its setting.

Reappearing Tribal Mechanics

The initial mechanic, known as "Allies," first debuted in a Zendikar and provides boosts whenever additional permanents with this type enter the battlefield.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is another enchantment type that first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, Shrines also gain strength as a player owns additional Shrines in play.

The Comeback of the Ally Ability

While Shrine cards have been shown up occasionally in recent sets, Allies subtype has been much rarer — until that ends with ATLA, in which this mechanic is heavily featured.

Aang has to recruit numerous friends on his quest to restore peace across the four nations, so it's no more fitting way to reflect that through a Magic set.

Exclusive Cards Showcase

Following the first set announcement, here is previews of one Ally and a Shrines cards from the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Beloved Figure

Teo stands as a beloved minor character from ATLA, a young man of Earth Kingdom that lived at the Northern Air Temple after his home was destroyed by a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his father's prowess with mechanics, Teo can glide in the air using his glider, even dares the Avatar to an aerial contest.

The card Teo reproduces his love for flying along with his tribe's use on gliders through letting you draw and discard each time a player attacks using an airborne unit, and additionally boosting your team with counters in the process.

The Temple Card: The Powerful Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, it appears in the card The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life total when coming into the battlefield, based on how many Shrine cards you have.

The card also drains an additional point anytime a Shrine comes onto the field.

It appears to be a powerful addition, considering its cheap mana cost and valuable enter the battlefield ability.

One major drawback of Shrine strategies outside of Commander are the fact that these cards are typically Legendary, but this card can be effective when paired with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that drains all opponents at the beginning of your main phase.

A Timely Collaboration

Currently while crossover sets are receiving a lot of criticism by the community, a beloved series like Avatar could be precisely what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Spoiler season has begun, with all cards set to be released on Nov. 21.