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Magic: The Gathering players frequently embrace tribe-based strategies — what player has not built a zombie deck before? — while this forthcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover set is reintroducing two well-known mechanics that fit seamlessly to the flavor.

Reappearing Tribe-Supporting Mechanics

The first ability, named "Allies," first introduced with a Zendikar set and provides boosts whenever more creatures with the Ally subtype enter the field.

Meanwhile, "Shrine" represents an enchantment type that originated in Champions of Kamigawa. While not creature-based tribal theme, these enchantments also become power as you controls more of them on the battlefield.

The Return of the Ally Ability

Although Shrine cards have shown up sporadically in newer releases, Allies subtype was much rarer — but this ends in ATLA, where this mechanic gets heavily featured.

Aang has to assemble many allies on the quest to bring back peace to the four nations, and it's no better method to reflect this through a Magic expansion.

Revealed Cards Preview

Following the first set announcement, below is previews at one Ally and a Shrines cards in the new Avatar: The Last Airbender set.

Teo, Spirited Glider: The Fan-Favorite Character

This character is one beloved minor figure in Avatar: The Last Airbender, a young man from the Earth Tribe who resided in the Northern Air Temple after his village was destroyed by a flood, which left him paraplegic.

Thanks to his dad's skill in engineering, he can soar through the skies with his glider, even challenges Aang in a flying race.

This card Teo represents his passion for flying and his tribe's reliance of flying machines through letting you loot each time you attack with an airborne creature, and also boosting your team with counters at the same time.

Northern Air Temple: The Strong Shrine

Speaking of Teo's dwelling, this appears in a card named The Northern Air Temple, which drains an opponent's life upon coming into the battlefield, depending on the number of Shrines you control.

The card also drains an additional point anytime a Shrine enters the battlefield.

It looks like an impactful addition, given its cheap mana cost plus good ETB ability.

One major weakness for Shrine decks in formats besides Commander is that Shrines are typically Legendary, but Northern Air Temple is effective in combination with Sanctum of Stone Fangs, that deals damage to all opponents at the beginning of your turn.

A Timely Crossover

At a time when crossover sets are receiving a lot of backlash from fans, a beloved franchise such as Avatar can be exactly what MTG requires.

Spoiler season is already here, and all cards will be launched on Nov. 21.