🔗 Share this article

the popular card game’s Avatar crossover set 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, Badgermole Cub attracted widespread focus. This two-power, two-toughness that costs a single green and one generic mana, Badgermole Cub includes level 1 earthbending (possibly the best within the set’s four “bending” mechanics). The major perk with this card lies in its second ability: If a creature is tapped to produce mana, you gain one extra green mana.

When first listed, this card sold for $26.98. After the pre-release weekend, yet, its value escalated to nearly $50 including listings as high as $60. Why are we seeing premium pricing for this little creature? Mainly thanks to the explosive mana ramping it can produce.

Upon entering play, this creature converts a terrain card so it becomes a creature granting it earthbend. And with that second ability, as long as it remains on the board, those lands produces twice the mana — in addition to other creatures you have that produce resources.

An ideal partner to combine with is the classic Llanowar Elves, an inexpensive 1/1 which can be tapped for G mana. However numerous other mana generation creatures out there. Another option costs a bit more with stats 1/3 costing two mana in comparison.

Using land cards, dorks that generate resources, plus the cub, you may quickly play a massive high-cost creature on the board by round three or four. The situation escalates rapidly if you keep the pressure on after that.

When adding an additional hue using this method, cards like Fuel Tank Feaster, Ilysian Caryatid, and Paradise Druid are excellent picks that generate any mana color. Additionally, this powerful dryad lets you play an additional land per turn plus makes all of your lands so they count as all basics. You can also consider something like this six-mana enchantment, costing six mana grants all of your permanents the ability to tap and generate a mana of any type — even any creature under your control.

This card could be too strong when it comes to accelerating your resources, yet what closes out the game with this archetype? A common and powerful choice has been this legendary creature. Its power and toughness match your land count, and it makes your non-token creatures to be Forests as well as their other types. Essentially, every single creature in play can generate two green mana when tapped.

This additional option is a costly, large threat that thrives with a high land count (similar to Ashaya, its stats are based on the number of lands you control).

Nissa works perfectly in this deck. Her static effect allows Forest lands produce extra green. (Combined with earthbend, so each one yield three G.) One loyalty ability acts as a form of land animation, putting +1/+1 counters to a noncreature land, which is great but does not overlap with earthbend. The minus ability, on the other hand, grants all of your lands immune to destruction enabling you to draw out every Forest left in the deck. Once you trigger that ability, this typically means the game ends.

The cub is pretty much essential in any green Avatar deck built around earthbend. When branching into red-green, you can use Bumi. It possesses level 4 earthbending, and when it hits a player to an opponent, all land creatures become untapped and may attack once more. Even though Bumi has become a popular Commander choice, the cute little Badgermole Cub will surely stay one of the most, maybe the sought-after card in the Avatar set.