Budget Alternatives to Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon
Looking for a functional budget replacement for Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon ($1.17)? Whether you're brewing a 100-card Commander deck, upgrading a budget league list, or trying to avoid spending over $50 on cardboard, these data-ranked substitutes cover the Versatile Deck Staple role for a fraction of the cost.
Top 3 Substitutes for Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon at a Glance
Samut, Tyrant Smasher
Matches Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon's Legendary Planeswalker card type and shares the exact same mana value (4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #gives-haste, #keyword-anthem.
Rampaging Raptor
Acts as a Creature alternative to Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon's Legendary Planeswalker and shares the exact same mana value (4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #repeatable-crime, #repeatable-removal.
Vivien Reid
Matches Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon's Legendary Planeswalker card type and costs 1 more mana (5 MV vs 4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #eponymous-planeswalker, #gives-vigilance.
Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon
30-day $1.17–$1.17 · +0% (11 snapshots)
Prices as of 2026-10-23
How Much Can You Save? (Price & Similarity Matrix)
Direct financial comparison between Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon and top budget alternatives.
| Card Name | Card Type & CMC | Price | Savings ($) | Savings (%) | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon (Original) | Legendary Planeswalker | $1.17 | — | — | Original |
| #1 Samut, Tyrant Smasher | Legendary Planeswalker (4 MV) | $0.24 | $0.93 | 79% | Strong match |
| #2 Vivien Reid | Legendary Planeswalker (5 MV) | $0.41 | $0.76 | 65% | Strong match |
| #3 Jiang Yanggu | Legendary Planeswalker (5 MV) | $0.75 | $0.42 | 36% | Strong match |
| #4 Domri Rade | Legendary Planeswalker (3 MV) | $1.02 | $0.15 | 13% | Strong match |
| #5 Rampaging Raptor | Creature (4 MV) | $0.29 | $0.88 | 75% | Strong match |
| #6 Rowan, Fearless Sparkmage | Legendary Planeswalker (5 MV) | $0.79 | $0.38 | 32% | Strong match |
In-Depth Analysis: Best Alternatives to Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon
Detailed mechanical similarities, differences, advantages, disadvantages, and ideal deck situations for each substitute.
Samut, Tyrant Smasher
(Legendary Planeswalker — Samut • 4 MV)
Creatures you control have haste. −1: Target creature gets +2/+1 and gains haste until end of turn. Scry 1.
Matches Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon's Legendary Planeswalker card type and shares the exact same mana value (4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #gives-haste, #keyword-anthem.
- • Costs $0.24 (79% savings over Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon)
- • Fills the Legendary Planeswalker curve slot cleanly
- • Overlaps 4 of 16 tracked mechanics; the rest is lost in translation.
Vivien Reid
(Legendary Planeswalker — Vivien • 5 MV)
+1: Look at the top four cards of your library. You may reveal a creature or land card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. −3: Destroy target artifact, enchantment, or creature with flying. −8: You get an emblem with "Creatures you control get +2/+2 and have vigilance, trample, and indestructible."
Matches Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon's Legendary Planeswalker card type and costs 1 more mana (5 MV vs 4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #eponymous-planeswalker, #gives-vigilance.
- • Costs $0.41 (65% savings over Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon)
- • Fills the Legendary Planeswalker curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Costs 1 more mana, arriving a full turn later on curve.
Jiang Yanggu
(Legendary Planeswalker — Yanggu • 5 MV)
+1: Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. −1: If you don't control a creature named Mowu, create Mowu, a legendary 3/3 green Dog creature token. −5: Until end of turn, target creature gains trample and gets +X/+X, where X is the number of lands you control.
Matches Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon's Legendary Planeswalker card type and costs 1 more mana (5 MV vs 4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #eponymous-planeswalker, #repeatable-creature-tokens.
- • Costs $0.75 (36% savings over Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon)
- • Fills the Legendary Planeswalker curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Costs 1 more mana, arriving a full turn later on curve.
Domri Rade
(Legendary Planeswalker — Domri • 3 MV)
+1: Look at the top card of your library. If it's a creature card, you may reveal it and put it into your hand. −2: Target creature you control fights another target creature. −7: You get an emblem with "Creatures you control have double strike, trample, hexproof, and haste."
Matches Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon's Legendary Planeswalker card type and costs 1 less mana (3 MV vs 4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #eponymous-planeswalker, #gives-haste.
- • Costs $1.02 (13% savings over Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon)
- • Fills the Legendary Planeswalker curve slot cleanly
- • Faster casting curve (3 MV vs 4 MV)
- • Overlaps 7 of 16 tracked mechanics; the rest is lost in translation.
Rampaging Raptor
(Creature — Dinosaur • 4 MV)
Trample, haste {2}{R}: This creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn. Whenever this creature deals combat damage to an opponent, it deals that much damage to target planeswalker that player controls or battle that player protects.
Acts as a Creature alternative to Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon's Legendary Planeswalker and shares the exact same mana value (4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #repeatable-crime, #repeatable-removal.
- • Costs $0.29 (75% savings over Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon)
- • Fills the Legendary Planeswalker curve slot cleanly
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Rowan, Fearless Sparkmage
(Legendary Planeswalker — Rowan • 5 MV)
+1: Up to one target creature gets +3/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn. −2: Rowan deals 1 damage to each of up to two target creatures. Those creatures can't block this turn. −9: Gain control of all creatures until end of turn. Untap them. They gain haste until end of turn.
Matches Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon's Legendary Planeswalker card type and costs 1 more mana (5 MV vs 4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #gives-haste, #multi-removal.
- • Costs $0.79 (32% savings over Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon)
- • Fills the Legendary Planeswalker curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Costs 1 more mana, arriving a full turn later on curve.
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
Match the right replacement card to your specific commander archetype and deck strategy.
Maximizes mana efficiency and replicates Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon's primary trigger role.
Reduces total deck cost below $50 while keeping the curve active.
Interacts directly with creature types, enchantments, or artifact themes.
When Is Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon Irreplaceable?
If your deck relies on specific infinite combo lines that require Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon's exact mana cost, unconditional timing, or unique text interaction, budget alternatives may not provide 100% parity. For casual Commander, mid-power EDH, and local game store play, the substitutes above deliver 90%+ functionality without the $1.17 price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon Alternatives
Answers to the most common deckbuilding and replacement queries.
Match scores blend rules-text similarity, shared mechanics, mana-curve proximity, and card-type fit. They rank budget picks against each other — they are not a measurement of competitive power.
What is the best budget alternative to Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon?+
Samut, Tyrant Smasher ($0.24) is the best overall alternative to Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon ($1.17), saving $0.93 (79% savings), rated a strong match for this swap.
What cards are like Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon in MTG?+
Cards like Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon include Samut, Tyrant Smasher ($0.24), Vivien Reid ($0.41), Jiang Yanggu ($0.75), Domri Rade ($1.02). These cards share similar mana curves, mechanics, and strategic roles in Commander.
What is the cheapest replacement for Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon?+
Rampaging Raptor ($0.29) is the most affordable replacement, saving over 75% compared to Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon.
Why would a player want a replacement for Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon?+
At $1.17, Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon represents a substantial financial barrier for casual Commander decks, budget league builds, or players testing new color identities.
When should a player NOT use a cheaper alternative to Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon?+
The closest pick, Samut, Tyrant Smasher, still has limits: overlaps 4 of 16 tracked mechanics; the rest is lost in translation. In top-tier competitive pods where those edges decide matches, the original remains optimal.
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