Budget Alternatives to Choice of Damnations
Looking for a functional budget replacement for Choice of Damnations ($18.61)? Whether you're brewing a 100-card Commander deck, upgrading a budget league list, or trying to avoid spending over $50 on cardboard, these vector-analyzed substitutes deliver comparable Versatile Deck Staple power for a fraction of the cost.
Top 3 Substitutes for Choice of Damnations at a Glance
Curse of the Cabal
Matches Choice of Damnations's Sorcery card type and costs 4 more mana (10 MV vs 6 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #punisher, #removal-permanent, #removal-sacrifice.
Undercity Plague
Matches Choice of Damnations's Sorcery card type and shares the exact same mana value (6 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #opponent-loses-life, #removal-permanent, #removal-sacrifice.
Archfiend of Spite
Acts as a Creature alternative to Choice of Damnations's Sorcery and costs 1 more mana (7 MV vs 6 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #opponent-loses-life, #punisher, #removal-permanent.
Choice of Damnations
How Much Can You Save? (Price & Similarity Matrix)
Direct financial comparison between Choice of Damnations and top budget alternatives.
| Card Name | Card Type & CMC | Price | Savings ($) | Savings (%) | Vector Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choice of Damnations (Original) | Sorcery | $18.61 | — | — | 100% (Baseline) |
| #1 Curse of the Cabal | Sorcery (10 MV) | $2.70 | $15.91 | 85% | 72% Match |
| #2 Archfiend of Spite | Creature (7 MV) | $0.78 | $17.83 | 96% | 64% Match |
| #3 Killing Wave | Sorcery (1 MV) | $0.38 | $18.23 | 98% | 86% Match |
| #4 Undercity Plague | Sorcery (6 MV) | $0.17 | $18.44 | 99% | 78% Match |
| #5 Possessed Portal | Artifact (8 MV) | $2.40 | $16.21 | 87% | 76% Match |
| #6 Forbidden Ritual | Sorcery (4 MV) | $1.09 | $17.52 | 94% | 84% Match |
In-Depth Analysis: Best Alternatives to Choice of Damnations
Detailed mechanical similarities, differences, advantages, disadvantages, and ideal deck situations for each substitute.
Curse of the Cabal
(Sorcery • 10 MV)
Target player sacrifices half the permanents they control of their choice, rounded down. Suspend 2—{2}{B}{B} (Rather than cast this card from your hand, you may pay {2}{B}{B} and exile it with two time counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter. When the last is removed, you may cast it without paying its mana cost.) At the beginning of each player's upkeep, if this card is suspended, that player may sacrifice a permanent of their choice. If the player does, put two time counters on this card.
Matches Choice of Damnations's Sorcery card type and costs 4 more mana (10 MV vs 6 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #punisher, #removal-permanent, #removal-sacrifice.
- • Costs $2.70 (85% savings over Choice of Damnations)
- • Fills the Sorcery curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 4 additional mana to cast
- • Delivers 72% of the mechanical power ceiling
Archfiend of Spite
(Creature — Demon • 7 MV)
Flying Whenever a source an opponent controls deals damage to this creature, that source's controller loses that much life unless they sacrifice that many permanents of their choice. Madness {3}{B}{B} (If you discard this card, discard it into exile. When you do, cast it for its madness cost or put it into your graveyard.)
Acts as a Creature alternative to Choice of Damnations's Sorcery and costs 1 more mana (7 MV vs 6 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #opponent-loses-life, #punisher, #removal-permanent.
- • Costs $0.78 (96% savings over Choice of Damnations)
- • Fills the Sorcery curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Delivers 64% of the mechanical power ceiling
Killing Wave
(Sorcery • 1 MV)
For each creature, its controller sacrifices it unless they pay X life.
Matches Choice of Damnations's Sorcery card type and costs 5 less mana (1 MV vs 6 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #opponent-loses-life, #punisher, #removal-sacrifice.
- • Costs $0.38 (98% savings over Choice of Damnations)
- • Fills the Sorcery curve slot cleanly
- • Faster casting curve (1 MV vs 6 MV)
- • Delivers 86% of the mechanical power ceiling
Undercity Plague
(Sorcery • 6 MV)
Target player loses 1 life, discards a card, then sacrifices a permanent of their choice. Cipher (Then you may exile this spell card encoded on a creature you control. Whenever that creature deals combat damage to a player, its controller may cast a copy of the encoded card without paying its mana cost.)
Matches Choice of Damnations's Sorcery card type and shares the exact same mana value (6 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #opponent-loses-life, #removal-permanent, #removal-sacrifice.
- • Costs $0.17 (99% savings over Choice of Damnations)
- • Fills the Sorcery curve slot cleanly
- • Delivers 78% of the mechanical power ceiling
Possessed Portal
(Artifact • 8 MV)
If a player would draw a card, that player skips that draw instead. At the beginning of each end step, each player sacrifices a permanent of their choice unless they discard a card.
Acts as a Artifact alternative to Choice of Damnations's Sorcery and costs 2 more mana (8 MV vs 6 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #punisher, #removal-permanent, #removal-sacrifice.
- • Costs $2.40 (87% savings over Choice of Damnations)
- • Fills the Sorcery curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 2 additional mana to cast
- • Delivers 76% of the mechanical power ceiling
Forbidden Ritual
(Sorcery • 4 MV)
Sacrifice a nontoken permanent. If you do, target opponent loses 2 life unless that player sacrifices a permanent of their choice or discards a card. You may repeat this process any number of times.
Matches Choice of Damnations's Sorcery card type and costs 2 less mana (4 MV vs 6 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #opponent-loses-life, #removal-permanent.
- • Costs $1.09 (94% savings over Choice of Damnations)
- • Fills the Sorcery curve slot cleanly
- • Faster casting curve (4 MV vs 6 MV)
- • Delivers 84% of the mechanical power ceiling
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
Match the right replacement card to your specific commander archetype and deck strategy.
Maximizes mana efficiency and replicates Choice of Damnations'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 Choice of Damnations Irreplaceable?
If your deck relies on specific infinite combo lines that require Choice of Damnations'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 $18.61 price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choice of Damnations Alternatives
Answers to the most common deckbuilding and replacement queries.
What is the best budget alternative to Choice of Damnations?+
Curse of the Cabal ($2.70) is the best overall alternative to Choice of Damnations ($18.61), saving $15.91 (85% savings) with a 72% functional vector match.
What cards are like Choice of Damnations in MTG?+
Cards like Choice of Damnations include Curse of the Cabal ($2.70), Archfiend of Spite ($0.78), Killing Wave ($0.38), Undercity Plague ($0.17). These cards share similar mana curves, mechanics, and strategic roles in Commander.
What is the cheapest replacement for Choice of Damnations?+
Undercity Plague ($0.17) is the most affordable replacement, saving over 99% compared to Choice of Damnations.
Why would a player want a replacement for Choice of Damnations?+
At $18.61, Choice of Damnations 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 Choice of Damnations?+
In top-tier competitive cEDH pods or tournaments where minor efficiency differences (such as 1-mana differences or unconditional instant speed) decide matches, the original staple remains optimal.
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