Badgermole Cub MTG: 8 Best Ramp Combos for This Powerful Two-Drop

Badgermole Cub MTG players met in the Avatar: The Last Airbender set looks like a cute two-mana creature, but it became one of the most powerful green cards of its era. It turns a land into a creature with earthbending and makes every creature you tap for mana produce an extra green mana. That combination was strong enough that Wizards of the Coast banned it in Standard in August 2026. This guide explains what the card does, where you can still play it and how to build around it.

What Badgermole Cub MTG does

Badgermole Cub MTG fans should know it is a mythic rare from the main Avatar: The Last Airbender set (collector number 167), released in November 2025. It costs one generic plus one green mana and is a 2/2 creature with the Badger Mole type. Its two abilities, paraphrased:

1. Enter trigger: when it enters, earthbend 1.
2. Mana boost: whenever you tap a creature for mana, add an additional green mana.

How earthbending works

Earthbending is a keyword action introduced in the Avatar set. When you earthbend 1, you choose a land you control. It becomes a 0/0 creature with haste that is still a land, and you put one +1/+1 counter on it. If that land creature later dies or is exiled, it returns to the battlefield tapped. In other words, you get a 1/1 hasty land creature with a built-in safety net.

Why the two abilities combine so well

Here is the trick that makes Badgermole Cub MTG decks so strong: the earthbent land is now a creature. When you tap it for mana, you are tapping a creature for mana, so the Cub’s second ability adds an extra green. On the turn you cast the Cub, the land you earthbend has haste, so you can tap it right away for two mana instead of one. The Cub effectively pays for itself on the turn it arrives.

Add a mana creature like Llanowar Elves and the math gets even better. Each elf now taps for two mana. A turn-one elf into a turn-two Cub can leave you with five or more mana on turn three, which is how green decks reached their biggest threats so quickly.

Badgermole Cub MTG format legality and the Standard ban

Wizards of the Coast banned Badgermole Cub in Standard in the August 10, 2026 Banned and Restricted announcement, alongside Stormchaser’s Talent and Gran-Gran. Wizards described the Cub as a big reason green had returned to the top of the format, thanks to how much ramp and value a single two-drop provided.

At the time of writing (November 2026), Badgermole Cub MTG players can still use it in Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage and Commander. Ban lists change, so confirm the current status on the official Magic: The Gathering site or Scryfall before an event.

What the ban means for your copies

A Standard ban does not make the card worthless. Badgermole Cub remains a strong card in older formats and in Commander, where green ramp is always popular. Many players hold onto their copies for those formats, while others trade them in. If you have extras, our sell and trade page explains how to trade them for cash or store credit.

Building around Badgermole Cub MTG

Badgermole Cub MTG rewards decks that tap creatures for mana as often as possible. The more mana creatures you have, the more extra green you make. Here are the main ways to build around it.

Mana creature ramp

Classic mana dorks like Llanowar Elves, Elvish Mystic, Fyndhorn Elves and Birds of Paradise each tap for an extra green with the Cub out. Creatures that tap for multiple mana, such as Priest of Titania or Elvish Archdruid, still get exactly one extra green per tap, so the biggest gains come from many cheap dorks.

Turning everything into a mana creature

Cards like Cryptolith Rite and Song of Freyalise give all your creatures the ability to tap for mana. With the Cub on the battlefield, every creature becomes a two-mana source. That is the engine behind many Commander combo turns.

More earthbending

The Avatar set contains other earthbend cards. Every land creature you earthbend can tap for mana as a creature, which also triggers the Cub. Combine earthbending with land creatures for a deck that ramps and attacks at the same time.

Big payoffs

All that mana needs somewhere to go. Large green creatures, X spells and card draw engines turn the ramp into a win. In Commander, mana sinks like Kamahl’s Druidic Vow or big activated abilities let you use every last green mana.

How many mana creatures do you need?

As a rough guide, a 60-card constructed ramp deck that wants to abuse the Cub usually runs eight or more one- and two-mana creatures that tap for mana. In a 100-card Commander deck, aim for at least ten creature-based mana sources, plus an effect like Cryptolith Rite. Below that, the Cub often enters with only the earthbent land to boost, which is still decent but far from its ceiling.

8 best combos and synergies for Badgermole Cub MTG

1. Llanowar Elves: a turn-one dork that taps for two green once the Cub arrives.
2. Birds of Paradise: taps for any color plus an extra green.
3. Priest of Titania: a big elf mana producer that gets an extra green on every tap.
4. Cryptolith Rite: turns your whole board into mana creatures.
5. Song of Freyalise: a saga that grants the same tap-for-mana ability to your creatures.
6. Other earthbend cards: extra land creatures mean extra Cub triggers.
7. Selvala, Heart of the Wilds: a commander whose big mana ability is a creature tap, so the Cub adds more.
8. Marwyn, the Nurturer: an elf commander that grows and taps for lots of green mana.

Find mana dorks and ramp staples in our Magic singles, and look at our collections for a bulk start on a green deck.

Badgermole Cub MTG in Commander

In Commander, Badgermole Cub MTG is a fantastic early play for any green deck that uses mana creatures. It is not legendary, so it lives in the 99 rather than the command zone, but it slots into elf decks, landfall decks and big-mana lists with ease.

• Elf tribal: every elf that taps for mana gets better.
• Creature-based ramp: decks with many mana creatures double their output.
• Land creature decks: earthbend and animated lands both trigger the Cub.
• Big X spells: extra mana turns Hydra-style X creatures into game winners.

Pair it with mana rocks such as Sol Ring and Arcane Signet for an explosive start. If your group uses Commander brackets, remember that fast ramp can push a deck toward the higher brackets, so tune your list for your table.

A sample opening

Turn one, play a Forest and cast Llanowar Elves. Turn two, play a land and cast Badgermole Cub, earthbending one of your lands. On turn three, your third land drop plus the earthbent land and the elf, which now each tap for two green, can give you five or more mana for a big threat. That is the speed that made Badgermole Cub MTG lists so feared.

How to answer Badgermole Cub MTG as an opponent

If you are on the other side of the table, the Cub is a must-answer two-drop in any format where it is legal. A 2/2 is easy to remove with cheap burn or a removal spell, and the best time to do it is right away, before the green player untaps with double mana from every dork.

• Kill it early. Cheap removal on the Cub stops the extra mana immediately.
• Sweep the board. A small board wipe hits the Cub, the mana dorks and any earthbent land creatures at once.
• Remember the earthbent land. Killing the land creature only sends the land back tapped, so it is usually a poor target unless tempo matters.
• Use exile carefully. Exiling the earthbent land still returns it tapped, so focus removal on the Cub or the dorks.

Knowing these lines also helps when you pilot a Badgermole Cub MTG deck, because you can predict where opponents will aim their removal and hold back threats accordingly.

Badgermole Cub MTG in Pioneer and Modern

With the Standard ban, Pioneer and Modern are the main constructed homes for the card. In Pioneer, green ramp decks with cheap dorks benefit directly. In Modern, the Cub competes with very efficient green threats and ramp, but its ability to produce lots of mana from a two-drop gives it a niche in creature-heavy ramp decks.

Metagames shift quickly, so check recent tournament results before investing in a competitive Badgermole Cub MTG deck. The key questions are how many mana creatures the deck can run and whether the extra mana leads to a powerful payoff.

Badgermole Cub MTG printings and versions

Badgermole Cub MTG has several versions to choose from:

• Main set version (167): the standard frame from Avatar: The Last Airbender boosters.
• Borderless version (326): an alternate-art borderless treatment.
• Prerelease promo (167s): a foil promo version.

Prices differ between versions and finishes, so check the collector number in the photos before you buy. For sealed product, browse our booster boxes; for a premium copy, try our graded cards.

Collecting the Cub

Avatar fans love the badgermoles from the show, especially as the animals linked to Toph’s earthbending origins. That popularity, plus the card’s tournament history, makes the Cub a nice collectible. Keep foils in toploaders and store them flat. If you want a surprise, our mystery boxes are a fun way to add more Avatar cards.

Common mistakes with Badgermole Cub MTG

• Forgetting the earthbent land is a creature. It triggers the Cub when tapped for mana, but it is also vulnerable to creature removal and board wipes.
• Running too few mana creatures. The Cub’s second ability does nothing without creatures to tap.
• Expecting multiple extra mana per tap. The Cub adds one extra green per creature tapped for mana, not one per mana produced.
• Not planning payoffs. Lots of mana is only useful if you have something big to cast.
• Bringing it to Standard. It is banned there at the time of writing; play it in Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage or Commander instead.

Keep your green deck in top shape with sleeves, deck boxes and binders from our accessories range.

Badgermole Cub MTG FAQ

What does Badgermole Cub do in MTG?

When it enters, it earthbends 1, turning a land into a 1/1 hasty land creature. Whenever you tap a creature for mana, you add an additional green mana.

Is Badgermole Cub banned?

Yes, in Standard. It was banned on August 10, 2026. At the time of writing it is legal in Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage and Commander.

What set is Badgermole Cub from?

It is a mythic rare from the Magic: The Gathering Avatar: The Last Airbender set released in November 2025.

Does tapping the earthbent land trigger Badgermole Cub?

Yes. The earthbent land is a creature, so tapping it for mana counts as tapping a creature for mana and adds an extra green.

Is Badgermole Cub good in Commander?

Yes. It is a strong ramp piece for green decks with many mana creatures, such as elf tribal or creature-based ramp builds.

Buying Badgermole Cub MTG online: a practical checklist

Shopping for Badgermole Cub MTG online is convenient, but a little preparation helps you get exactly what you expect. Use this checklist every time you buy Magic: The Gathering products, whether you are picking up a single card, a sealed box or a premium collection.

Before you order

• Confirm the exact product. Check the set name, card number, language and finish in the listing title and photos.
• Read the condition. Singles are usually listed as Near Mint, Lightly Played or similar. Graded cards show the grading company and grade.
• Check stock status. In-stock items ship sooner than pre-orders, which ship when the product releases.
• Compare value, not just price. A bundle with sleeves, dice or promos may be better value than packs alone.
• Know the policies. Read the shipping, returns and contact information before checkout.

When your order arrives

• Open the parcel carefully and check that everything matches the order.
• Inspect singles and slabs under good light straight away.
• Sleeve and store cards immediately so they keep their condition.
• Contact the store quickly if anything is wrong, with photos of the item and packaging.

How to store and care for Badgermole Cub MTG

Good storage protects both the look and the value of Badgermole Cub MTG. Cards are made of layered paper and ink, so heat, light, moisture and pressure all cause damage over time. A few simple habits make a big difference.

1. Sleeve first. A soft penny sleeve stops scratches and fingerprints.
2. Add rigid protection. Toploaders or semi-rigid holders stop bends for valuable cards.
3. Choose the right binder. Side-loading, acid-free binders keep cards secure and easy to view. Avoid ring binders that press into cards.
4. Control the environment. Keep cards in a cool, dry room away from windows, radiators and damp basements.
5. Store sealed product flat. Boxes and tins last longer stored flat and out of direct light.
6. Handle with clean, dry hands. Oils and moisture can mark card surfaces.

You can find sleeves, toploaders, binders and deck boxes in our TCG accessories range.

Useful terms for Badgermole Cub MTG collectors

• Single: an individual card sold on its own.
• Sealed: unopened product in its original factory wrap.
• Pull rate: how often a type of card appears in packs.
• Chase card: the most wanted card in a set.
• Slab: a card graded and sealed in a hard plastic case.
• NM / LP / MP / HP: condition grades from Near Mint to Heavily Played.
• Reprint: a card printed again in a later product.
• Pre-order: reserving a product before its release date.

Common mistakes to avoid with Badgermole Cub MTG

Even experienced collectors make avoidable mistakes. Keeping these in mind will save you money and protect your cards.

• Chasing one card through endless packs. If you need a specific card, the single is almost always the cheaper route.
• Skipping protection. A card left unsleeved for a day can pick up a scratch that lowers its value.
• Buying on hype alone. Prices can move quickly after a release. Check several recent sales before paying a premium.
• Ignoring condition notes. Two copies of the same card can differ greatly in value because of wear.
• Storing cards in the wrong place. Attics, garages and sunny windowsills are hard on cardboard.
• Forgetting your goal. A clear plan, such as finishing a set or upgrading a deck, keeps spending focused.

A simple plan to get started with Badgermole Cub MTG

1. Set a goal. Decide whether you are collecting, playing or both.
2. Set a monthly budget. Spending a fixed amount keeps the hobby fun and sustainable.
3. Mix sealed and singles. Open packs for enjoyment and buy singles for the cards you really need.
4. Protect as you go. Sleeves and toploaders cost little compared with the cards they protect.
5. Track your collection. A simple list shows what you own and what you still want.
6. Sell or trade duplicates. Turn cards you do not need into new additions through a trusted store.

Why shop for Badgermole Cub MTG at TCG Store USA

TCG Store USA is an online trading card shop for collectors and players. We list Magic: The Gathering products with clear titles and photos, separate in-stock items from pre-orders, and offer a sell and trade service when you want to turn cards into cash or store credit. Browse our singles, booster boxes and graded cards, or contact us with any question about an order or product. For official news, rules and release announcements, visit the official Magic: The Gathering site.

Final thoughts on Badgermole Cub MTG

Badgermole Cub MTG history shows how much a two-drop can do: a hasty land creature, extra mana from every dork and a fast path to your biggest spells. Standard may be closed, but Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage and Commander all welcome it. Build around mana creatures, plan your payoffs and enjoy one of the best green cards from the Avatar release. Browse the shop for ramp staples, and contact us with questions about a listing.