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Magic: The Gathering’s collaboration with Avatar isn't set to get a wider release until later this week, yet following early access events this past weekend, an affordable green creature has already exploded in market worth.

From the initial reveals, the earthbending cub garnered a lot of attention. A 2/2 requiring G and 1 mana, Badgermole Cub includes level 1 earthbending (possibly the most effective among the set’s four “bending” mechanics). The real boon here lies in an additional effect: Each time mana is generated by tapping a creature, it provides bonus green mana.

Initially, Badgermole Cub could be purchased at around $27. After the pre-release weekend, though, its value jumped above $45 including listings for sale at $60.00. The reason for Vivi prices for this cute lil guy? Mainly because of the incredible mana acceleration it enables.

Upon entering the board, Badgermole Cub turns a land to a creature land that has earthbending. Alongside its mana-doubling effect, if it remains on the board, those lands generates double mana — along with other creatures you have that produce resources.

A clear choice to combine with includes the classic Llanowar Elves, an inexpensive 1/1 that produces a green resource. Yet there are plenty of other mana generation creatures out there. Druid of the Cowl is a more expensive alternative that’s a 1/3 at a two-mana value as an alternative.

Deploying terrain, creatures that tap for mana, alongside this card, you may quickly play an enormous pricey creature into play within a few turns. The situation escalates exponentially if you keep the pressure on after that.

By incorporating another color using this method, options such as versatile mana producers are all great options that can make all five colors. And something like Dryad of the Ilysian Grove lets you play an additional land each turn AND turns every land you control providing all land types. Another possibility is something like this six-mana enchantment, at a six-mana investment gives all of your permanents the capacity to be tapped for a mana of any type — even all creatures in play.

Badgermole Cub may be OP in terms of ramping up your mana generation, however how do you win for a deck like this? A common and powerful choice already is Ashaya. Power and toughness match how many lands you have, plus it turns all of your nontoken creatures into Forests in addition to other subtypes. Essentially, each creature on your board is able to tap for two G by tapping.

This additional option is a costly, large threat that benefits from a high land count (like Ashaya, P/T are based on the number of lands you control).

Nissa works perfectly as a staple. Her passive ability allows Forest lands tap for one more G. (If you have the cub, so all earthbend forests generate three green mana.) One loyalty ability is essentially a form of land animation, putting +1/+1 counters on a land, which is great though it doesn't stack with the cub's ability. Her ultimate, though, makes your entire land base indestructible and lets you search for your remaining Forests in your deck. Once you trigger this power, it almost certainly you win.

Badgermole Cub is pretty much essential for all green-based Avatar strategies focusing on Earthbending. When branching into red-green, you can use Bumi Unleashed. It possesses level 4 earthbending, and if it hits a player to an opponent, each animated land untap for another attack. Even though Bumi has emerged as a beloved leader, the cub is set to be one of the most, maybe the sought-after card in the collaboration.