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MTG’s special Avatar expansion isn't set to hit the general market before the end of the week, yet due to early access events over the last few days, one cheap green card has already exploded in value.

Even during previews, the earthbending cub drew significant interest. This two-power, two-toughness priced at G and 1 mana, the card includes Earthbending 1 (arguably the most effective within the elemental mechanics available). Its key advantage in its design is an additional effect: If a creature is tapped to produce mana, you gain one extra green mana.

When first listed, the card was available for $26.98. After the pre-release weekend, however, its value jumped to nearly $50 with at least one listed as high as $60. What explains such high costs for this little creature? Primarily due to the incredible mana acceleration it can produce.

As it hits the battlefield, the cub turns a land so it becomes a creature granting it earthbend. Combined with its other power, if it stays in play, those lands generates double mana — along with other creatures you have which tap for mana.

The obvious go-to for maximum effect includes the classic Llanowar Elves, an inexpensive 1/1 that taps to generate one green mana. Yet there are plenty of creatures that make mana out there. Another option is a more expensive alternative a 1/3 creature at a two-mana value in comparison.

By playing lands, dorks that generate resources, plus the cub, it's simple to summon an enormous and very expensive monster on the battlefield by round three or four. The situation escalates exponentially if you keep the pressure on after that.

When adding another color using this method, cards like Fuel Tank Feaster, Ilysian Caryatid, and Paradise Druid are excellent picks that can make all five colors. Additionally, a useful enchantment creature lets you play another terrain every round plus turns your entire land base so they count as all basics. You can also consider for example the enchantment A Realm Reborn, which for six mana gives every card you own the capacity to be tapped for any color mana — even all creatures in play.

Badgermole Cub might seem overpowered regarding ramping up your mana generation, yet what closes out the game with this archetype? An often-seen solution has been Ashaya, Soul of the Wild. Its stats match the number of lands you control, and it changes your non-token creatures to be Forests in addition to other subtypes. In other words, every single creature on your board can generate two green mana when tapped.

Another creature is a costly, large threat which gains from a high land count (like Ashaya, its stats are equal to how many lands you have).

Nissa is an excellent fit in this deck. Her static effect causes all Forests generate an additional green mana. (If you have the cub, so those lands yield three G.) Her main ability functions like a form of land animation, putting +1/+1 counters on terrain, handy though it doesn't stack with earthbending. The minus ability, however, renders your entire land base indestructible and lets you draw out all the remaining forests in the deck. Once you trigger this power, it’s pretty much game over.

The cub is pretty much essential in any green Avatar deck built around earthbend. If you dip into red-green, you can use Bumi. It possesses earthbend 4, and if it hits a player in combat, land creatures are ready again and may attack once more. Even though Bumi has become a popular Commander choice, the cute little Badgermole Cub is set to be one of, if not the most desired card in the collaboration.