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MTG’s collaboration with Avatar isn't set to hit the general market until later this week, but following prerelease weekends over the last few days, an affordable green creature saw a sharp rise in market worth.

Throughout the spoiler season, Badgermole Cub drew widespread focus. A creature with stats 2/2 priced at G and 1 mana, Badgermole Cub features level 1 earthbending (arguably the most effective within the set’s four “bending” mechanics). The real boon with this card comes from another power: Whenever you tap a creature for mana, you gain one extra green mana.

When first listed, the card was available at around $27. Following the early events, however, the going rate jumped to $49.66 including listings priced at sixty dollars. The reason for Vivi prices for this little creature? Primarily due to the incredible mana acceleration it provides.

Upon entering the board, this creature turns a terrain card so it becomes a creature that has earthbending. Combined with its other power, while it stays in play, each affected land generates double mana — in addition to other creatures you have which tap for mana.

The obvious go-to for maximum effect is Llanowar Elves, a cheap 1/1 which can be tapped for G mana. But numerous alternative mana dorks available. Another option is a higher-cost choice a 1/3 creature at a two-mana value as an alternative.

Deploying terrain, mana-producing creatures, and Badgermole Cub, you may quickly play a massive high-cost monster on the battlefield early in the game. The situation escalates rapidly if you keep the pressure on after that.

If you dip into another color using this method, cards like these mana-fixing creatures work perfectly that can make any color of mana. Additionally, a useful enchantment creature lets you play another terrain per turn AND makes your entire land base into every basic land type. It's also worth trying such as this six-mana enchantment, which for six mana gives every card you own the power to tap and generate any color mana — even all creatures you have on the board.

This card might seem overpowered regarding ramping up your mana generation, however what’s the endgame finisher with this archetype? One obvious and popular answer is Ashaya. Its power and toughness are both equal to how many lands you have, and it makes each creature you own to be Forests as well as their original types. This means, each creature in play is able to produce double green when tapped.

This additional option is a costly, large threat which gains from a high land count (similar to Ashaya, its stats match how many lands you have).

Nissa fits really well as a staple. Her static effect makes Forest lands produce extra green. (Combined with earthbend, that means all earthbend forests yield three G.) Her main ability acts as a proto-earthbend, adding counters on terrain, a useful effect but it isn't redundant with the cub's ability. Her ultimate, however, makes all of your lands indestructible and allows you to draw out all the remaining forests in your deck. If you can actually activate that ability, it’s pretty much you win.

The cub is a must-have for any kind of green-based Avatar strategies that use Earthbending. When branching into Gruul colors, there’s this legendary card. He has earthbend 4, and when he deals combat damage in combat, all land creatures are ready again and can attack again. While that version is a beloved leader, the cub is definitely going to remain among the top, possibly the popular pick in the Avatar set.