Budget Alternatives to Fain, the Broker
Looking for a functional budget replacement for Fain, the Broker ($2.77)? 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 Mana Accelerator & Ramp role for a fraction of the cost.
Top 3 Substitutes for Fain, the Broker at a Glance
Ruthless Knave
Acts as a Creature alternative to Fain, the Broker's Legendary Creature and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #martyr, #repeatable-treasures.
Compleated Huntmaster
Acts as a Creature alternative to Fain, the Broker's Legendary Creature and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #repeatable-pp-counters, #repeatable-sacrifice-outlet.
Extruder
Acts as a Artifact Creature alternative to Fain, the Broker's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #gains-pp-counters, #gives-pp-counters.
Fain, the Broker
30-day $2.77–$2.77 · +0% (11 snapshots)
Prices as of 2026-10-23
How Much Can You Save? (Price & Similarity Matrix)
Direct financial comparison between Fain, the Broker and top budget alternatives.
| Card Name | Card Type & CMC | Price | Savings ($) | Savings (%) | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fain, the Broker (Original) | Legendary Creature | $2.77 | — | — | Original |
| #1 Ruthless Knave | Creature (3 MV) | $0.21 | $2.56 | 92% | Very strong match |
| #2 Extruder | Artifact Creature (4 MV) | $0.26 | $2.51 | 91% | Very strong match |
| #3 Compleated Huntmaster | Creature (3 MV) | $0.25 | $2.52 | 91% | Very strong match |
| #4 Chittering Witch | Creature (4 MV) | $0.33 | $2.44 | 88% | Strong match |
| #5 Trading Post | Artifact (4 MV) | $0.27 | $2.50 | 90% | Very strong match |
| #6 Ruthless Technomancer | Creature (4 MV) | $2.65 | $0.12 | 4% | Very strong match |
In-Depth Analysis: Best Alternatives to Fain, the Broker
Detailed mechanical similarities, differences, advantages, disadvantages, and ideal deck situations for each substitute.
Ruthless Knave
(Creature — Orc Pirate • 3 MV)
{2}{B}, Sacrifice a creature: Create two Treasure tokens. (They're artifacts with "{T}, Sacrifice this token: Add one mana of any color.") Sacrifice three Treasures: Draw a card.
Acts as a Creature alternative to Fain, the Broker's Legendary Creature and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #martyr, #repeatable-treasures.
- • Costs $0.21 (92% savings over Fain, the Broker)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Extruder
(Artifact Creature — Juggernaut • 4 MV)
Echo {4} (At the beginning of your upkeep, if this came under your control since the beginning of your last upkeep, sacrifice it unless you pay its echo cost.) Sacrifice an artifact: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
Acts as a Artifact Creature alternative to Fain, the Broker's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #gains-pp-counters, #gives-pp-counters.
- • Costs $0.26 (91% savings over Fain, the Broker)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Compleated Huntmaster
(Creature — Phyrexian Elf Warrior • 3 MV)
{1}, {T}, Sacrifice another creature or artifact: Incubate 3. (Create an Incubator token with three +1/+1 counters on it and "{2}: Transform this token." It transforms into a 0/0 Phyrexian artifact creature.)
Acts as a Creature alternative to Fain, the Broker's Legendary Creature and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #repeatable-pp-counters, #repeatable-sacrifice-outlet.
- • Costs $0.25 (91% savings over Fain, the Broker)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Chittering Witch
(Creature — Human Warlock • 4 MV)
When this creature enters, create a number of 1/1 black Rat creature tokens equal to the number of opponents you have. {1}{B}, Sacrifice a creature: Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn.
Acts as a Creature alternative to Fain, the Broker's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #martyr, #repeatable-crime.
- • Costs $0.33 (88% savings over Fain, the Broker)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Trading Post
(Artifact • 4 MV)
{1}, {T}, Discard a card: You gain 4 life. {1}, {T}, Pay 1 life: Create a 0/1 white Goat creature token. {1}, {T}, Sacrifice a creature: Return target artifact card from your graveyard to your hand. {1}, {T}, Sacrifice an artifact: Draw a card.
Acts as a Artifact alternative to Fain, the Broker's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #out-of-color-token, #repeatable-creature-tokens.
- • Costs $0.27 (90% savings over Fain, the Broker)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Ruthless Technomancer
(Creature — Human Wizard • 4 MV)
When this creature enters, you may sacrifice another creature you control. If you do, create a number of Treasure tokens equal to that creature's power. {2}{B}, Sacrifice X artifacts: Return target creature card with power X or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. X can't be 0.
Acts as a Creature alternative to Fain, the Broker's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #repeatable-sacrifice-outlet, #sacrifice-outlet-artifact.
- • Costs $2.65 (4% savings over Fain, the Broker)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
Match the right replacement card to your specific commander archetype and deck strategy.
Maximizes mana efficiency and replicates Fain, the Broker'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 Fain, the Broker Irreplaceable?
If your deck relies on specific infinite combo lines that require Fain, the Broker'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 $2.77 price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fain, the Broker 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 Fain, the Broker?+
Ruthless Knave ($0.21) is the best overall alternative to Fain, the Broker ($2.77), saving $2.56 (92% savings), rated a very strong match for this swap.
What cards are like Fain, the Broker in MTG?+
Cards like Fain, the Broker include Ruthless Knave ($0.21), Extruder ($0.26), Compleated Huntmaster ($0.25), Chittering Witch ($0.33). These cards share similar mana curves, mechanics, and strategic roles in Commander.
What is the cheapest replacement for Fain, the Broker?+
Compleated Huntmaster ($0.25) is the most affordable replacement, saving over 91% compared to Fain, the Broker.
Why would a player want a replacement for Fain, the Broker?+
At $2.77, Fain, the Broker 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 Fain, the Broker?+
The closest pick, Ruthless Knave, still has limits: different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies. In top-tier competitive pods where those edges decide matches, the original remains optimal.
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