Home/Budget Commander/staples/Budget Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup

Budget Alternatives to Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup

Looking for a functional budget replacement for Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup ($0.25)? 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.

By Zachary• 6 swaps analyzed
Quick Answer: Best Replacements

Top 3 Substitutes for Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup at a Glance

Original Price: $0.25
BEST OVERALL

Weaver of Blossoms // Blossom-Clad Werewolf

$0.29Save 0%

Matches Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup's Creature card type and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #day-night, #transform-improvement.

Strong match
CHEAPEST VIABLE

Edgar, Moonlit Sovereign

$0.19Save 24%

Acts as a Legendary Creature alternative to Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup's Creature and costs 2 more mana (5 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #bottomless-mana-sink, #gains-pp-counters.

Strong match
CLOSEST 1:1 MATCH

Tuskguard Captain

$0.25Save 0%

Matches Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup's Creature card type and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #gains-pp-counters, #gives-trample.

Strong match
Magic: The Gathering card image for Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup (Creature — Human Werewolf // Creature — Werewolf)

Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup

Creature — Human Werewolf // Creature — Werewolf
$0.25 Market

30-day $0.25–$0.25 · +0% (10 snapshots)

Prices as of 2026-10-22

Trample {3}{G}: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. Daybound (If a player casts no spells during their own turn, it becomes night next turn.) // Trample Other Wolves and Werewolves you control have trample. {3}{G}: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. Nightbound (If a player casts at least two spells during their own turn, it becomes day next turn.)
Why It's Expensive: Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup holds $0.25 on Commander demand for its activated-ability, bottomless-mana-sink, day-night lines.
#activated-ability#bottomless-mana-sink#day-night#gains-pp-counters#gives-pp-counters#gives-trample#keyword-anthem#repeatable-crime#repeatable-pp-counters#transform-improvement#typal-lupine#werewolf-mechanic

How Much Can You Save? (Price & Similarity Matrix)

Direct financial comparison between Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup and top budget alternatives.

Card NameCard Type & CMCPriceSavings ($)Savings (%)Match
Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup (Original)Creature $0.25——Original
#1 Weaver of Blossoms // Blossom-Clad WerewolfCreature (3 MV)$0.29$0.000%Strong match
#2 Tuskguard CaptainCreature (3 MV)$0.25$0.000%Strong match
#3 Outland Liberator // Frenzied TrapbreakerCreature (2 MV)$0.35$0.000%Strong match
#4 Edgar, Moonlit SovereignLegendary Creature (5 MV)$0.19$0.0624%Strong match
#5 PridemalkinCreature (3 MV)$0.39$0.000%Strong match
#6 Training RegimenEnchantment (4 MV)$0.20$0.0520%Strong match

In-Depth Analysis: Best Alternatives to Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup

Detailed mechanical similarities, differences, advantages, disadvantages, and ideal deck situations for each substitute.

#1

Weaver of Blossoms // Blossom-Clad Werewolf

(Creature — Human Werewolf // Creature — Werewolf • 3 MV)
$0.29Save 0%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for Weaver of Blossoms // Blossom-Clad Werewolf (Creature — Human Werewolf // Creature — Werewolf)
Strong match· Budget compromiseUnder $5.00

{T}: Add one mana of any color. Daybound (If a player casts no spells during their own turn, it becomes night next turn.) // {T}: Add two mana of any one color. Nightbound (If a player casts at least two spells during their own turn, it becomes day next turn.)

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Matches Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup's Creature card type and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #day-night, #transform-improvement.

Key Advantages
  • • Costs $0.29 (0% savings over Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup)
  • • Fills the Creature curve slot cleanly
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • • Overlaps 4 of 12 tracked mechanics; the rest is lost in translation.
Ideal Deck Context: Weaver of Blossoms // Blossom-Clad Werewolf fits any Creature-heavy budget list that wants the effect without the price tag.
#activated-ability#day-night#transform-improvement#werewolf-mechanic
Buy on TCGplayer Mana Pool
#2

Tuskguard Captain

(Creature — Human Warrior • 3 MV)
$0.25Save 0%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for Tuskguard Captain (Creature — Human Warrior)
Strong match· Budget compromiseUnder $5.00

Outlast {G} ({G}, {T}: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature. Outlast only as a sorcery.) Each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it has trample.

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Matches Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup's Creature card type and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #gains-pp-counters, #gives-trample.

Key Advantages
  • • Costs $0.25 (0% savings over Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup)
  • • Fills the Creature curve slot cleanly
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • • Overlaps 4 of 12 tracked mechanics; the rest is lost in translation.
Ideal Deck Context: Tuskguard Captain fits any Creature-heavy budget list that wants the effect without the price tag.
#activated-ability#gains-pp-counters#gives-trample#repeatable-pp-counters
Buy on TCGplayer Mana Pool
#3

Outland Liberator // Frenzied Trapbreaker

(Creature — Human Werewolf // Creature — Werewolf • 2 MV)
$0.35Save 0%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for Outland Liberator // Frenzied Trapbreaker (Creature — Human Werewolf // Creature — Werewolf)
Strong match· Budget compromiseUnder $5.00

{1}, Sacrifice this creature: Destroy target artifact or enchantment. Daybound (If a player casts no spells during their own turn, it becomes night next turn.) // {1}, Sacrifice this creature: Destroy target artifact or enchantment. Whenever this creature attacks, destroy target artifact or enchantment defending player controls. Nightbound (If a player casts at least two spells during their own turn, it becomes day next turn.)

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Matches Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup's Creature card type and costs 1 less mana (2 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #day-night, #repeatable-crime.

Key Advantages
  • • Costs $0.35 (0% savings over Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup)
  • • Fills the Creature curve slot cleanly
  • • Faster casting curve (2 MV vs 3 MV)
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • • Overlaps 5 of 12 tracked mechanics; the rest is lost in translation.
Ideal Deck Context: Outland Liberator // Frenzied Trapbreaker fits any Creature-heavy budget list that wants the effect without the price tag.
#activated-ability#day-night#repeatable-crime#transform-improvement#werewolf-mechanic
Buy on TCGplayer Mana Pool
#4

Edgar, Moonlit Sovereign

(Legendary Creature — Werewolf Noble • 5 MV)
$0.19Save 24%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for Edgar, Moonlit Sovereign (Legendary Creature — Werewolf Noble)
Strong match· Budget compromiseUnder $5.00

Flash At the beginning of your end step, if you didn't cast a spell this turn, put two +1/+1 counters on Edgar. {4}{G}: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it.

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Acts as a Legendary Creature alternative to Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup's Creature and costs 2 more mana (5 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #bottomless-mana-sink, #gains-pp-counters.

Key Advantages
  • • Costs $0.19 (24% savings over Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup)
  • • Fills the Creature curve slot cleanly
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • • Costs 2 additional mana to cast
  • • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Ideal Deck Context: Edgar, Moonlit Sovereign fits any Creature-heavy budget list that wants the effect without the price tag.
#activated-ability#bottomless-mana-sink#gains-pp-counters#gives-pp-counters#repeatable-pp-counters
Buy on TCGplayer Mana Pool
#5

Pridemalkin

(Creature — Cat • 3 MV)
$0.39Save 0%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for Pridemalkin (Creature — Cat)
Strong match· Budget compromiseUnder $5.00

When this creature enters, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control. Each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it has trample. (It can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.)

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Matches Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup's Creature card type and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #gains-pp-counters, #gives-pp-counters, #gives-trample.

Key Advantages
  • • Costs $0.39 (0% savings over Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup)
  • • Fills the Creature curve slot cleanly
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • • Overlaps 4 of 12 tracked mechanics; the rest is lost in translation.
Ideal Deck Context: Pridemalkin fits any Creature-heavy budget list that wants the effect without the price tag.
#gains-pp-counters#gives-pp-counters#gives-trample#keyword-anthem
Buy on TCGplayer Mana Pool
#6

Training Regimen

(Enchantment • 4 MV)
$0.20Save 20%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for Training Regimen (Enchantment)
Strong match· Budget compromiseUnder $5.00

Creatures you control with +1/+1 counters on them have trample. At the beginning of combat on your turn, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control.

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Acts as a Enchantment alternative to Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup's Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #gives-pp-counters, #gives-trample, #keyword-anthem.

Key Advantages
  • • Costs $0.20 (20% savings over Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup)
  • • Fills the Creature curve slot cleanly
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
  • • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Ideal Deck Context: Training Regimen fits any Creature-heavy budget list that wants the effect without the price tag.
#gives-pp-counters#gives-trample#keyword-anthem#repeatable-pp-counters
Buy on TCGplayer Mana Pool

Which Alternative Should You Choose?

Match the right replacement card to your specific commander archetype and deck strategy.

Competitive / High Velocity
Weaver of Blossoms // Blossom-Clad Werewolf

Maximizes mana efficiency and replicates Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup's primary trigger role.

Ultra-Budget / Casual Pods
Edgar, Moonlit Sovereign

Reduces total deck cost below $50 while keeping the curve active.

Synergy-Driven Strategies
Tuskguard Captain

Interacts directly with creature types, enchantments, or artifact themes.

Competitive Nuance: When NOT to Use A Replacement

When Is Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup Irreplaceable?

If your deck relies on specific infinite combo lines that require Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup'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 $0.25 price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup 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 Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup?+

Weaver of Blossoms // Blossom-Clad Werewolf ($0.29) is the best overall alternative to Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup ($0.25), saving $0.00 (0% savings), rated a strong match for this swap.

What cards are like Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup in MTG?+

Cards like Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup include Weaver of Blossoms // Blossom-Clad Werewolf ($0.29), Tuskguard Captain ($0.25), Outland Liberator // Frenzied Trapbreaker ($0.35), Edgar, Moonlit Sovereign ($0.19). These cards share similar mana curves, mechanics, and strategic roles in Commander.

What is the cheapest replacement for Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup?+

Edgar, Moonlit Sovereign ($0.19) is the most affordable replacement, saving over 24% compared to Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup.

Why would a player want a replacement for Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup?+

At $0.25, Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup 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 Hound Tamer // Untamed Pup?+

The closest pick, Weaver of Blossoms // Blossom-Clad Werewolf, still has limits: overlaps 4 of 12 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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