Budget Alternatives to Spitting Dilophosaurus
Looking for a functional budget replacement for Spitting Dilophosaurus ($26.75)? 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.
Top 3 Substitutes for Spitting Dilophosaurus at a Glance
Quagmire Lamprey
Matches Spitting Dilophosaurus's Creature card type and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #gives-mm-counters, #removal-toughness, #spot-removal.
Razormane Masticore
Acts as a Artifact Creature alternative to Spitting Dilophosaurus's Creature and costs 2 more mana (5 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #repeatable-crime, #repeatable-removal, #spot-removal.
Priest of Forgotten Gods
Matches Spitting Dilophosaurus's Creature card type and costs 1 less mana (2 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #repeatable-crime, #repeatable-removal, #spot-removal.
Spitting Dilophosaurus
30-day $26.75–$26.75 · +0% (11 snapshots)
Prices as of 2026-10-23
How Much Can You Save? (Price & Similarity Matrix)
Direct financial comparison between Spitting Dilophosaurus and top budget alternatives.
| Card Name | Card Type & CMC | Price | Savings ($) | Savings (%) | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spitting Dilophosaurus (Original) | Creature | $26.75 | — | — | Original |
| #1 Quagmire Lamprey | Creature (3 MV) | $0.16 | $26.59 | 99% | Very strong match |
| #2 Priest of Forgotten Gods | Creature (2 MV) | $0.55 | $26.20 | 98% | Partial match |
| #3 Notorious Assassin | Creature (4 MV) | $1.16 | $25.59 | 96% | Partial match |
| #4 Razormane Masticore | Artifact Creature (5 MV) | $0.28 | $26.47 | 99% | Partial match |
| #5 Heartseeker | Artifact (4 MV) | $2.49 | $24.26 | 91% | Partial match |
| #6 Talon of Pain | Artifact (4 MV) | $0.31 | $26.44 | 99% | Partial match |
In-Depth Analysis: Best Alternatives to Spitting Dilophosaurus
Detailed mechanical similarities, differences, advantages, disadvantages, and ideal deck situations for each substitute.
Quagmire Lamprey
(Creature — Fish • 3 MV)
Whenever this creature becomes blocked by a creature, put a -1/-1 counter on that creature.
Matches Spitting Dilophosaurus's Creature card type and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #gives-mm-counters, #removal-toughness, #spot-removal.
- • Costs $0.16 (99% savings over Spitting Dilophosaurus)
- • Fills the Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Overlaps 3 of 9 tracked mechanics; the rest is lost in translation.
Priest of Forgotten Gods
(Creature — Human Cleric • 2 MV)
{T}, Sacrifice two other creatures: Any number of target players each lose 2 life and sacrifice a creature of their choice. You add {B}{B} and draw a card. (Activate only as an instant.)
Matches Spitting Dilophosaurus's Creature card type and costs 1 less mana (2 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #repeatable-crime, #repeatable-removal, #spot-removal.
- • Costs $0.55 (98% savings over Spitting Dilophosaurus)
- • Fills the Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Faster casting curve (2 MV vs 3 MV)
- • Overlaps 3 of 9 tracked mechanics; the rest is lost in translation.
Notorious Assassin
(Creature — Human Spellshaper Assassin • 4 MV)
{2}{B}, {T}, Discard a card: Destroy target nonblack creature. It can't be regenerated.
Matches Spitting Dilophosaurus's Creature card type and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #repeatable-crime, #repeatable-removal, #spot-removal.
- • Costs $1.16 (96% savings over Spitting Dilophosaurus)
- • Fills the Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Costs 1 more mana, arriving a full turn later on curve.
Razormane Masticore
(Artifact Creature — Masticore • 5 MV)
First strike (This creature deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.) At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice this creature unless you discard a card. At the beginning of your draw step, you may have this creature deal 3 damage to target creature.
Acts as a Artifact Creature alternative to Spitting Dilophosaurus's Creature and costs 2 more mana (5 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #repeatable-crime, #repeatable-removal, #spot-removal.
- • Costs $0.28 (99% savings over Spitting Dilophosaurus)
- • Fills the Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 2 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Heartseeker
(Artifact — Equipment • 4 MV)
Equipped creature gets +2/+1 and has "{T}, Unattach Heartseeker: Destroy target creature." Equip {5} ({5}: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
Acts as a Artifact alternative to Spitting Dilophosaurus's Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #repeatable-crime, #repeatable-removal, #spot-removal.
- • Costs $2.49 (91% savings over Spitting Dilophosaurus)
- • Fills the Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Talon of Pain
(Artifact • 4 MV)
Whenever a source you control other than this artifact deals damage to an opponent, put a charge counter on this artifact. {X}, {T}, Remove X charge counters from this artifact: It deals X damage to any target.
Acts as a Artifact alternative to Spitting Dilophosaurus's Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #repeatable-crime, #repeatable-removal, #spot-removal.
- • Costs $0.31 (99% savings over Spitting Dilophosaurus)
- • Fills the 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 Spitting Dilophosaurus'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 Spitting Dilophosaurus Irreplaceable?
If your deck relies on specific infinite combo lines that require Spitting Dilophosaurus'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 $26.75 price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spitting Dilophosaurus 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 Spitting Dilophosaurus?+
Quagmire Lamprey ($0.16) is the best overall alternative to Spitting Dilophosaurus ($26.75), saving $26.59 (99% savings), rated a very strong match for this swap.
What cards are like Spitting Dilophosaurus in MTG?+
Cards like Spitting Dilophosaurus include Quagmire Lamprey ($0.16), Priest of Forgotten Gods ($0.55), Notorious Assassin ($1.16), Razormane Masticore ($0.28). These cards share similar mana curves, mechanics, and strategic roles in Commander.
What is the cheapest replacement for Spitting Dilophosaurus?+
Razormane Masticore ($0.28) is the most affordable replacement, saving over 99% compared to Spitting Dilophosaurus.
Why would a player want a replacement for Spitting Dilophosaurus?+
At $26.75, Spitting Dilophosaurus 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 Spitting Dilophosaurus?+
The closest pick, Quagmire Lamprey, still has limits: overlaps 3 of 9 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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