Among the Avatar-themed cutest Magic cards turns out to be a powerful little force.

the popular card game’s collaboration with Avatar isn't set to get a wider release in the coming days, however after pre-releases recently, one cheap green card experienced a surge in value.

Even during previews, this small creature attracted a lot of attention. A creature with stats 2/2 that costs one green and one colorless mana, Badgermole Cub includes Earthbending 1 (arguably the most effective of the elemental mechanics available). Its key advantage here comes from another power: If mana is generated by tapping a creature, you gain one extra green mana.

Initially, Badgermole Cub was available for $26.98. Post-prerelease, though, the going rate has shot up to nearly $50 and one seller offering for sale at $60.00. The reason for Vivi prices on this adorable card? Primarily due to the incredible mana acceleration it can produce.

Upon entering the board, Badgermole Cub transforms one land to a creature land with earthbend. And with that second ability, if it is not removed, every earthbent land generates double mana β€” along with mana-producing creatures you have that generate mana.

The obvious go-to for synergy includes this one-mana elf, a low-cost creature that produces a green resource. But numerous other mana generation creatures out there. This particular druid costs a bit more a 1/3 creature at a two-mana value as an alternative.

By playing lands, creatures that tap for mana, alongside this card, you may quickly play an enormous and very expensive threat on the board by round three or four. And things just keep spiraling out of control if you keep the pressure on from that point.

When adding another color in this strategy, cards like Fuel Tank Feaster, Ilysian Caryatid, and Paradise Druid are all great options which produce all five colors. Another card, this powerful dryad allows you to put an additional land every round as well as transforms your entire land base into every basic land type. It's also worth trying something like the enchantment A Realm Reborn, costing six mana grants each permanent you control the power to tap and generate one mana of any color β€” which covers each creature under your control.

The cub could be too strong in terms of accelerating your resources, however what closes out the game with this archetype? A common and powerful choice is this legendary creature. Its stats are set by the number of lands you control, and it changes each creature you own into Forests as well as their original types. In other words, every single creature you control can tap for two G by tapping.

This additional option is another expensive, beefy creature that benefits from lots of lands (similar to Ashaya, its stats are based on how many lands you have).

This Planeswalker is an excellent fit as a staple. One of her abilities makes all Forests generate an additional green mana. (If you have the cub, that means each one produce triple green.) One loyalty ability functions like an early earthbend, placing counters to a noncreature land, handy but it isn't redundant with earthbend. Her -8 ability, though, makes each land you control immune to destruction enabling you to draw out every Forest left in the deck. Should you manage to use the ultimate, it almost certainly game over.

This card is a must-have in any decks using green and Avatar focusing on the earthbend mechanic. If you dip into red and green, you can use Bumi. It possesses earthbend 4, plus if damage is dealt in combat, all land creatures become untapped for another attack. Even though Bumi has become a popular Commander choice, the cub will surely stay among the top, possibly the popular pick in the collaboration.

Ronald Stephens
Ronald Stephens

A passionate writer and creative thinker dedicated to sharing unique insights and fostering inspiration in everyday life.