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MTG’s Avatar crossover set isn't set to get a wider release in the coming days, however following early access events this past weekend, one cheap green card saw a sharp rise in market worth.

Even during previews, Badgermole Cub drew significant interest. This two-power, two-toughness requiring G and 1 mana, it includes Earthbending 1 (perhaps the best within the set’s four “bending” mechanics). Its key advantage in its design is an additional effect: Each time you tap a creature for mana, you gain one extra green mana.

At its cheapest, Badgermole Cub sold below $30. After the pre-release weekend, though, the going rate jumped to nearly $50 with at least one listed as high as $60. Why are we seeing Vivi prices for this little creature? Mostly due to the rapid resource generation it enables.

As it hits the battlefield, Badgermole Cub turns one land to a creature land granting it earthbend. Combined with its other power, while it is not removed, each affected land generates double mana — in addition to mana-producing creatures you have that generate mana.

The obvious go-to to combine with includes Llanowar Elves, an inexpensive 1/1 that taps to generate G mana. But many alternative mana dorks in the game. Another option costs a bit more with stats 1/3 costing two mana instead.

Using land cards, dorks that generate resources, plus the cub, it's simple to summon a very big high-cost monster on the battlefield early in the game. And things just keep spiraling exponentially if you keep the pressure on after that.

When adding a secondary color using this method, examples including Fuel Tank Feaster, Ilysian Caryatid, and Paradise Druid are excellent picks which produce any mana color. Additionally, a useful enchantment creature allows you to put one extra land every round plus makes all of your lands so they count as all basics. It's also worth trying such as the enchantment A Realm Reborn, at a six-mana investment grants every card you own the ability to tap and generate one mana of any color — even any creature in play.

The cub may be OP regarding boosting mana production, but how do you win with this archetype? A common and powerful choice has been this legendary creature. Its stats are set by the number of lands you control, and it changes your non-token creatures Forests in addition to their original types. Essentially, all your creatures on your board may generate two green mana by tapping.

Another creature is another expensive, beefy creature that thrives with lots of lands (like Ashaya, its power and toughness are based on your land total).

Nissa, Who Shakes the World works perfectly as a staple. Her passive ability causes every Forest tap for one more G. (With a Badgermole Cub, so those lands produce triple green.) Her main ability acts as a proto-earthbend, adding counters on a land, handy but does not overlap with earthbending. Her ultimate, however, makes all of your lands indestructible and lets you draw out your remaining Forests from your library. Should you manage to use the ultimate, it almost certainly game over.

Badgermole Cub is nearly mandatory for all decks using green and Avatar that use earthbend. If you dip into red-green, there’s Bumi. It possesses level 4 earthbending, plus if he deals combat damage to an opponent, land creatures are ready again and may attack once more. Even though Bumi has become a beloved leader, the cute little Badgermole Cub is set to be among the top, possibly the sought-after card from this expansion.