What is the best cheap budget alternative to Grim Hireling?

The top vector-matched budget alternative to Grim Hireling is Undercity Scrounger ($0.25), offering a 81% functional match while saving $10.08.

How can I replace Grim Hireling in MTG Commander on a budget?

You can replace Grim Hireling ($10.33) in EDH by swapping in lower-cost cards that share key Scryfall oracle tags like #activated-ability, #combat-ramp, #per-player and identical color identity (B).

Articles/Budget Analysis

Best Mono-Black budget alternatives to Grim Hireling

Automated Vector Analysis• 5 min read•Updated August 3, 2026

Grim Hireling

$10.33 Market

Card Breakdown: Grim Hireling (Creature — Tiefling Rogue) acts as a key High-Impact Creature Body in competitive and casual EDH / Modern formats. At $10.33, budget-conscious players can leverage vector embedding similarity to achieve comparable game effects for under $5.00.

Looking for other high-cost replacements? See our budget guides for The Snapstone Wielder ($428), Emrakul and Chatterfang ($200), Monet, Sensei of the Sewers ($174).

#activated-ability#combat-ramp#per-player#repeatable-crime#repeatable-removal#repeatable-treasures#saboteur#spot-removal#synergy-treasure#triggered-ability

Top Vector-Ranked Budget Swaps

#1 Best Swap

Undercity Scrounger

(Artifact Creature — Human Rogue)

$0.25

81% Vector Match

{T}: Create a Treasure token. Activate only if a creature died this turn. (It's an artifact with "{T}, Sacrifice this token: Add one mana of any color.")

Vector Synergy Breakdown

Functions as a Artifact Creature alternative to Grim Hireling's Creature and costs 1 less mana to cast (3 MV vs 4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #repeatable-treasures.

#activated-ability #repeatable-treasures

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#2 Best Swap

Zhentarim Bandit

(Creature — Halfling Rogue)

$0.32

81% Vector Match

Whenever this creature attacks, you may pay 1 life. If you do, create a Treasure token. (It's an artifact with "{T}, Sacrifice this token: Add one mana of any color.")

Vector Synergy Breakdown

Matches Grim Hireling's Creature card type and costs 2 less mana to cast (2 MV vs 4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #repeatable-treasures.

#repeatable-treasures

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#3 Best Swap

Ruthless Technomancer

(Creature — Human Wizard)

$3.82

79% Vector Match

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.

Vector Synergy Breakdown

Matches Grim Hireling's Creature card type and shares the exact same mana value (4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #triggered-ability.

#activated-ability #triggered-ability

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#4 Best Swap

Boneyard Desecrator

(Creature — Zombie Mercenary)

$0.23

79% Vector Match

Menace {1}{B}, Sacrifice another creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature. If an outlaw was sacrificed this way, create a Treasure token. (Assassins, Mercenaries, Pirates, Rogues, and Warlocks are outlaws.)

Vector Synergy Breakdown

Matches Grim Hireling's Creature card type and shares the exact same mana value (4 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #repeatable-treasures.

#activated-ability #repeatable-treasures

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