Budget Alternatives to Out of the Tombs
Looking for a functional budget replacement for Out of the Tombs ($14.70)? Whether you're brewing a 100-card Commander deck, upgrading a budget league list, or trying to avoid spending over $50 on cardboard, these vector-analyzed substitutes deliver comparable Card Advantage Engine power for a fraction of the cost.
Top 3 Substitutes for Out of the Tombs at a Glance
Forbidden Crypt
Matches Out of the Tombs's Enchantment card type and costs 2 more mana (5 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #alternate-loss-condition, #deal-with-the-devil, #draw-matters.
Midnight Oil
Matches Out of the Tombs's Enchantment card type and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #counters-matter, #deal-with-the-devil, #triggered-ability.
Midnight Oil
Matches Out of the Tombs's Enchantment card type and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #counters-matter, #deal-with-the-devil, #triggered-ability.
Out of the Tombs
How Much Can You Save? (Price & Similarity Matrix)
Direct financial comparison between Out of the Tombs and top budget alternatives.
| Card Name | Card Type & CMC | Price | Savings ($) | Savings (%) | Vector Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of the Tombs (Original) | Enchantment | $14.70 | — | — | 100% (Baseline) |
| #1 Forbidden Crypt | Enchantment (5 MV) | $1.08 | $13.62 | 93% | 78% Match |
| #2 Midnight Oil | Enchantment (4 MV) | $0.23 | $14.47 | 98% | 71% Match |
| #3 Descent into Madness | Enchantment (5 MV) | $0.35 | $14.35 | 98% | 67% Match |
| #4 Dark Tutelage | Enchantment (3 MV) | $0.25 | $14.45 | 98% | 78% Match |
| #5 Chthonian Nightmare | Enchantment (2 MV) | $0.51 | $14.19 | 97% | 77% Match |
| #6 Villainous Syndication | Enchantment (2 MV) | $0.31 | $14.39 | 98% | 74% Match |
In-Depth Analysis: Best Alternatives to Out of the Tombs
Detailed mechanical similarities, differences, advantages, disadvantages, and ideal deck situations for each substitute.
Forbidden Crypt
(Enchantment • 5 MV)
If you would draw a card, return a card from your graveyard to your hand instead. If you can't, you lose the game. If a card would be put into your graveyard from anywhere, exile that card instead.
Matches Out of the Tombs's Enchantment card type and costs 2 more mana (5 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #alternate-loss-condition, #deal-with-the-devil, #draw-matters.
- • Costs $1.08 (93% savings over Out of the Tombs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 2 additional mana to cast
- • Delivers 78% of the mechanical power ceiling
Midnight Oil
(Enchantment • 4 MV)
This enchantment enters with seven hour counters on it. At the beginning of your draw step, draw an additional card and remove two hour counters from this enchantment. Your maximum hand size is equal to the number of hour counters on this enchantment. Whenever you discard a card, you lose 1 life.
Matches Out of the Tombs's Enchantment card type and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #counters-matter, #deal-with-the-devil, #triggered-ability.
- • Costs $0.23 (98% savings over Out of the Tombs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Delivers 71% of the mechanical power ceiling
Descent into Madness
(Enchantment • 5 MV)
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a despair counter on this enchantment, then each player exiles X permanents they control and/or cards from their hand, where X is the number of despair counters on this enchantment.
Matches Out of the Tombs's Enchantment card type and costs 2 more mana (5 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #counters-matter, #deal-with-the-devil, #triggered-ability.
- • Costs $0.35 (98% savings over Out of the Tombs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 2 additional mana to cast
- • Delivers 67% of the mechanical power ceiling
Dark Tutelage
(Enchantment • 3 MV)
At the beginning of your upkeep, reveal the top card of your library and put that card into your hand. You lose life equal to its mana value.
Matches Out of the Tombs's Enchantment card type and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #deal-with-the-devil, #triggered-ability.
- • Costs $0.25 (98% savings over Out of the Tombs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Delivers 78% of the mechanical power ceiling
Chthonian Nightmare
(Enchantment • 2 MV)
When this enchantment enters, you get {E}{E}{E} (three energy counters). Pay X {E}, Sacrifice a creature, Return this enchantment to its owner's hand: Return target creature card with mana value X from your graveyard to the battlefield. Activate only as a sorcery.
Matches Out of the Tombs's Enchantment card type and costs 1 less mana (2 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #reanimate-creature, #triggered-ability.
- • Costs $0.51 (97% savings over Out of the Tombs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Faster casting curve (2 MV vs 3 MV)
- • Delivers 77% of the mechanical power ceiling
Villainous Syndication
(Enchantment — Plan • 2 MV)
Tap an untapped Villain you control: Mill a card. Put a plan counter on this enchantment. Activate only as a sorcery. (To mill a card, put the top card of your library into your graveyard.) When the fourth plan counter is put on this enchantment, sacrifice it. When you do, return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Matches Out of the Tombs's Enchantment card type and costs 1 less mana (2 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #mill-self, #reanimate-creature.
- • Costs $0.31 (98% savings over Out of the Tombs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Faster casting curve (2 MV vs 3 MV)
- • Delivers 74% 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 Out of the Tombs'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 Out of the Tombs Irreplaceable?
If your deck relies on specific infinite combo lines that require Out of the Tombs'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 $14.70 price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Out of the Tombs Alternatives
Answers to the most common deckbuilding and replacement queries.
What is the best budget alternative to Out of the Tombs?+
Forbidden Crypt ($1.08) is the best overall alternative to Out of the Tombs ($14.70), saving $13.62 (93% savings) with a 78% functional vector match.
What cards are like Out of the Tombs in MTG?+
Cards like Out of the Tombs include Forbidden Crypt ($1.08), Midnight Oil ($0.23), Descent into Madness ($0.35), Dark Tutelage ($0.25). These cards share similar mana curves, mechanics, and strategic roles in Commander.
What is the cheapest replacement for Out of the Tombs?+
Midnight Oil ($0.23) is the most affordable replacement, saving over 98% compared to Out of the Tombs.
Why would a player want a replacement for Out of the Tombs?+
At $14.70, Out of the Tombs 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 Out of the Tombs?+
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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