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Magic: The Gathering’s collaboration with Avatar isn't set to get a wider release until later this week, but due to prerelease weekends this past weekend, a low-cost green spell experienced a surge in value.

Throughout the spoiler season, Badgermole Cub attracted widespread focus. This two-power, two-toughness priced at a single green and one generic mana, Badgermole Cub has the Earthbend 1 ability (arguably the strongest of the elemental mechanics available). Its key advantage with this card lies in an additional effect: Each time you tap a creature for mana, add an additional green mana.

When first listed, Badgermole Cub was available below $30. Following the early events, yet, the market price jumped above $45 with at least one listed for sale at $60.00. The reason for Vivi prices on this adorable card? Mostly because of the incredible mana acceleration it can produce.

As it hits the battlefield, the cub turns a land so it becomes a creature that has earthbending. Alongside its mana-doubling effect, if it remains on the board, every earthbent land produces twice the mana — along with other creatures you have which tap for mana.

An ideal partner for synergy includes Llanowar Elves, a cheap 1/1 that taps to generate a green resource. But many alternative mana dorks in the game. This particular druid is a higher-cost choice with stats 1/3 costing two mana as an alternative.

By playing lands, mana-producing creatures, and Badgermole Cub, you may quickly play an enormous pricey creature into play within a few turns. The situation escalates rapidly with continued aggression from there.

If you dip into an additional hue in this strategy, options such as Fuel Tank Feaster, Ilysian Caryatid, and Paradise Druid are all great options that can make any color of mana. Additionally, a useful enchantment creature lets you play an additional land per turn as well as transforms every land you control so they count as all basics. It's also worth trying for example a card called A Realm Reborn, costing six mana provides all of your permanents the capacity to be tapped for any color mana — which covers all creatures under your control.

This card may be OP in terms of accelerating your resources, yet how do you win for a deck like this? An often-seen solution has been Ashaya. Its power and toughness match how many lands you have, and it makes each creature you own Forests in addition to other subtypes. This means, all your creatures on your board is able to generate two green mana by tapping.

This additional option provides a high-cost, powerful body that thrives with many terrain cards (similar to Ashaya, its power and toughness match your land total).

Nissa, Who Shakes the World is an excellent fit in this deck. Her static effect causes every Forest produce extra green. (With a Badgermole Cub, so each one generate three green mana.) Her plus ability acts as a proto-earthbend, adding counters to a noncreature land, handy though it doesn't stack with earthbend. Her ultimate, however, makes your entire land base indestructible and allows you to search for every Forest left from your library. Should you manage to use this power, it almost certainly the game ends.

The cub is a must-have for all green-based Avatar strategies focusing on Earthbending. If you dip into Gruul colors, consider this legendary card. He has earthbend 4, and if damage is dealt to an opponent, each animated land untap and may attack once more. Even though Bumi is a popular Commander choice, the cute little Badgermole Cub is definitely going to remain one of the most, maybe the popular pick from this expansion.