What is the best cheap budget alternative to Grim Monolith?

The top vector-matched budget alternative to Grim Monolith is Basalt Monolith ($4.50), offering a 99% functional match while saving $465.11.

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

You can replace Grim Monolith ($469.61) in EDH by swapping in lower-cost cards that share key Scryfall oracle tags like #activated-ability, #adds-multiple-mana, #full-refund and identical color identity (Colorless).

Articles/Budget Analysis

Best Colorless budget alternatives to Grim Monolith

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

Grim Monolith

$469.61 Market

Card Breakdown: Grim Monolith (Artifact) is a high-demand MTG card. At $469.61, budget-conscious players can leverage vector embedding similarity to achieve similar game actions for under $5.00.

#activated-ability#adds-multiple-mana#full-refund#mana-rock#untaps-self

Top Vector-Ranked Budget Swaps

#1 Best Swap

Basalt Monolith

(Artifact)

$4.50

99% Vector Match

This artifact doesn't untap during your untap step. {T}: Add {C}{C}{C}. {3}: Untap this artifact.

Vector Synergy Breakdown

Matches Grim Monolith's Artifact card type and costs 1 more mana to cast (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #adds-multiple-mana, #full-refund.

#activated-ability #adds-multiple-mana #full-refund #mana-rock #untaps-self

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#2 Best Swap

Bender's Waterskin

(Artifact)

$0.99

90% Vector Match

Untap this artifact during each other player's untap step. {T}: Add one mana of any color.

Vector Synergy Breakdown

Matches Grim Monolith's Artifact card type and costs 1 more mana to cast (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #mana-rock, #untaps-self.

#activated-ability #mana-rock #untaps-self

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#3 Best Swap

Elaborate Firecannon

(Artifact)

$0.06

88% Vector Match

This artifact doesn't untap during your untap step. {4}, {T}: This artifact deals 2 damage to any target. At the beginning of your upkeep, you may discard a card. If you do, untap this artifact.

Vector Synergy Breakdown

Matches Grim Monolith's Artifact card type and shares the exact same mana value (2 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #untaps-self.

#activated-ability #untaps-self

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#4 Best Swap

Deserter's Quarters

(Artifact)

$0.08

87% Vector Match

You may choose not to untap this artifact during your untap step. {6}, {T}: Tap target creature. It doesn't untap during its controller's untap step for as long as this artifact remains tapped.

Vector Synergy Breakdown

Matches Grim Monolith's Artifact card type and shares the exact same mana value (2 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability.

#activated-ability

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