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MTG enthusiasts often enjoy tribe-based tactics — who hasn't assembled an elf deck once or twice? — and this new Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover release revives 2 well-known mechanics that align seamlessly with the setting.

Returning Tribal Abilities

The first ability, called "Allies," was introduced with the Zendikar set which grants buffs whenever more permanents with the Ally subtype come onto play.

On the other hand, "Shrine" is another enchantment-based subtype which originated with Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribe, Shrines also gain power when a player owns additional Shrines on the battlefield.

The Comeback for Allies Ability

Although Shrines have shown up occasionally in recent releases, Allies subtype has been seldom seen — but that changes in Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the feature gets prominently used.

Aang must gather a lot of companions during the quest to bring back balance to the four nations, and it's no better way to represent that through a Magic: The Gathering set.

Revealed Card Preview

After the first card announcement, here are previews at an Allies and a Shrines cards in the upcoming ATLA set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: A Beloved Character

This character is a beloved minor character from ATLA, a boy of the Earth Tribe that lived at an Air Temple following his village was ruined by a flood, an event that rendered him paraplegic.

Because of his father's skill in mechanics, Teo can glide in the air using a flying device, and challenges Aang in an aerial race.

This card Teo, Spirited Glider represents Teo's passion of the skies along with the Earth Tribe's use of gliders through letting you draw and discard whenever you attack with a flying creature, while also pumping your team with +1/+1 counters in the process.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Regarding Teo's dwelling, it is represented in the card The Northern Air Temple, that reduces your opponent's life upon coming into play, depending on the number Shrine cards you have.

It also removes one more life anytime a Shrine enters the field.

This appears to be a strong card, given its cheap mana cost and valuable ETB effect.

A big drawback of Shrine strategies in formats besides EDH are the fact that Shrines are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple can be great in combination alongside another Shrine, that deals damage to every opponent at the beginning of your turn.

The Timely Collaboration

Currently when crossover sets have been garnering a lot of hate from the community, a beloved franchise such as Avatar: The Last Airbender can be precisely just what Magic: The Gathering requires.

Preview period is already here, with the full set will be launched November 21st.