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MTG’s Avatar crossover set isn't set to hit the general market before the end of the week, but after pre-releases this past weekend, an affordable green creature saw a sharp rise in market worth.

Even during previews, the earthbending cub drew widespread focus. A creature with stats 2/2 requiring a single green and one generic mana, it includes the Earthbend 1 ability (perhaps the most effective of the four bending abilities in the set). The major perk here comes from an additional effect: Whenever a creature is tapped to produce mana, add an additional green mana.

When first listed, this card could be purchased for $26.98. After the pre-release weekend, though, the going rate has shot up to nearly $50 with at least one listed as high as $60. The reason for premium pricing for this little creature? Mostly because of the rapid resource generation it can produce.

As it hits the board, the cub converts one land to a creature land granting it earthbend. And with that second ability, if it is not removed, each affected land produces twice the mana — plus mana-producing creatures on your side that generate mana.

A clear choice for maximum effect would be Llanowar Elves, a low-cost creature that produces one green mana. However many other mana generation creatures out there. Druid of the Cowl costs a bit more with stats 1/3 for two mana instead.

Deploying terrain, dorks that generate resources, alongside this card, you may quickly play a massive high-cost monster into play by round three or four. And things just keep spiraling out of control with continued aggression after that.

By incorporating a secondary color with this approach, examples including versatile mana producers work perfectly which produce all five colors. And something like Dryad of the Ilysian Grove allows you to put another terrain each turn AND turns your entire land base so they count as all basics. It's also worth trying such as the enchantment A Realm Reborn, costing six mana gives each permanent you control the capacity to produce any color mana — which covers all creatures under your control.

This card could be too strong regarding boosting mana production, but how do you win in such a strategy? One obvious and popular answer is Ashaya, Soul of the Wild. Its stats match your land count, and it makes your non-token creatures into Forests as well as other subtypes. This means, each creature on your board is able to tap for two G when tapped.

Another creature is another expensive, beefy creature that thrives with lots of lands (similar to Ashaya, its stats are equal to your land total).

Nissa is an excellent fit in this deck. Her passive ability makes all Forests generate an additional green mana. (With a Badgermole Cub, this results in those lands generate three green mana.) Her main ability acts as an early earthbend, placing counters on a land, a useful effect but it isn't redundant with the cub's ability. Her -8 ability, however, makes each land you control indestructible enabling you to search for your remaining Forests in your deck. Once you trigger this power, it’s pretty much game over.

This card is nearly mandatory for all decks using green and Avatar focusing on earthbend. By including red and green, consider this legendary card. He has earthbend 4, plus if damage is dealt to a player, all land creatures untap for another attack. Even though Bumi is a fan favorite Commander, this small creature is set to be among the top, possibly the desired card in the collaboration.