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the popular card game’s special Avatar expansion will not get a wider release until later this week, however after early access events recently, a low-cost green spell experienced a surge in price.

Even during previews, this small creature attracted significant interest. A 2/2 requiring a single green and one generic mana, Badgermole Cub features level 1 earthbending (perhaps the best of the elemental mechanics available). The real boon with this card lies in its second ability: Each time mana is generated by tapping a creature, add an additional green mana.

Initially, this card was available at around $27. Following the early events, however, the market price jumped above $45 with at least one listed for sale at $60.00. What explains premium pricing on this adorable card? Mainly due to the explosive mana ramping it can produce.

As it hits play, this creature turns a terrain card into a creature granting it earthbend. And with that second ability, while it is not removed, each affected land produces twice the mana — in addition to other creatures you have that produce resources.

An ideal partner for synergy includes Llanowar Elves, a low-cost creature which can be tapped for one green mana. However numerous creatures that make mana in the game. Another option costs a bit more a 1/3 creature costing two mana instead.

Deploying terrain, mana-producing creatures, and Badgermole Cub, you can easily get an enormous pricey monster on the board within a few turns. Momentum builds exponentially with continued aggression after that.

By incorporating a secondary color using this method, cards like versatile mana producers are excellent picks that can make all five colors. Additionally, a useful enchantment creature allows you to put one extra land every round as well as turns your entire land base providing all land types. It's also worth trying such as a card called A Realm Reborn, costing six mana grants every card you own the power to be tapped for any color mana — including all creatures in play.

This card might seem overpowered in terms of accelerating your resources, however what closes out the game in such a strategy? An often-seen solution is Ashaya. Its stats are both equal to the number of lands you control, plus it turns all of your nontoken creatures Forests as well as their other types. Essentially, each creature you control is able to tap for two G by tapping.

This additional option is a costly, large threat that thrives with a high land count (as with the previous card, its power and toughness are equal to how many lands you have).

Nissa, Who Shakes the World works perfectly as a staple. Her static effect makes every Forest produce extra green. (With a Badgermole Cub, so all earthbend forests produce triple green.) One loyalty ability acts as an early earthbend, adding counters on terrain, a useful effect but does not overlap with the cub's ability. Her -8 ability, on the other hand, grants each land you control indestructible and lets you draw out all the remaining forests from your library. Once you trigger this power, this typically means game over.

Badgermole Cub is nearly mandatory for all green-based Avatar strategies that use the earthbend mechanic. If you dip into red-green, consider Bumi. He has earthbend 4, and if he deals combat damage to a player, all land creatures are ready again and can attack again. Although this card has emerged as a popular Commander choice, the cute little Badgermole Cub is definitely going to remain one of, if not the most desired card in the collaboration.