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Budget Alternatives to The Fourteenth Doctor

Looking for a functional budget replacement for The Fourteenth Doctor ($113.71)? 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 Versatile Deck Staple power for a fraction of the cost.

By MTGCheap Data Lab 6 min readUpdated August 2026
Quick Answer: Best Replacements

Top 3 Substitutes for The Fourteenth Doctor at a Glance

Original Price: $113.71
BEST OVERALL

The Eighth Doctor

$0.24Save 100%

Matches The Fourteenth Doctor's Legendary Creature card type and costs 3 more mana (6 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #mill-self, #pair-commander, #the-doctor.

75% Match
CHEAPEST VIABLE

The Eighth Doctor

$0.24Save 100%

Matches The Fourteenth Doctor's Legendary Creature card type and costs 3 more mana (6 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #mill-self, #pair-commander, #the-doctor.

75% Match
CLOSEST 1:1 MATCH

Dack's Duplicate

$0.41Save 100%

Acts as a Creature alternative to The Fourteenth Doctor's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #clone, #copy-creature, #gains-haste.

63% Match
Magic: The Gathering card image for The Fourteenth Doctor (Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor)

The Fourteenth Doctor

Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor
$113.71 Market
When you cast this spell, reveal the top fourteen cards of your library. Put all Doctor cards revealed this way into your graveyard and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. You may have The Fourteenth Doctor enter as a copy of a Doctor card in your graveyard that was put there from your library this turn. If you do, it gains haste until end of turn.
Why It's Expensive: The Fourteenth Doctor is a high-demand staple in Commander and competitive constructed formats due to its efficient mana value and game-defining versatile deck staple mechanics.
#clone#copy-creature#gains-haste#mill-self#noncreature-typal#pair-commander#synergy-mill#the-doctor#typal-doctor#unique-mana-cost#unnoted-tracked-information

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

Direct financial comparison between The Fourteenth Doctor and top budget alternatives.

Card NameCard Type & CMCPriceSavings ($)Savings (%)Vector Similarity
The Fourteenth Doctor (Original)Legendary Creature $113.71100% (Baseline)
#1 The Eighth DoctorLegendary Creature (6 MV)$0.24$113.47100%75% Match
#2 Dack's DuplicateCreature (4 MV)$0.41$113.30100%63% Match
#3 The First DoctorLegendary Creature (3 MV)$0.24$113.47100%79% Match
#4 The Twelfth DoctorLegendary Creature (5 MV)$0.34$113.37100%78% Match
#5 The Fourth DoctorLegendary Creature (4 MV)$0.35$113.36100%77% Match
#6 The Seventh DoctorLegendary Creature (5 MV)$0.26$113.45100%76% Match

In-Depth Analysis: Best Alternatives to The Fourteenth Doctor

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

#1

The Eighth Doctor

(Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor6 MV)
$0.24Save 100%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for The Eighth Doctor (Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor)
75% Vector Similarity MatchUnder $5.00

When The Eighth Doctor enters, mill three cards. Once during each of your turns, you may play a historic land or cast a historic permanent spell from your graveyard. If you do, it gains "If this permanent would leave the battlefield, exile it instead of putting it anywhere else."

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Matches The Fourteenth Doctor's Legendary Creature card type and costs 3 more mana (6 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #mill-self, #pair-commander, #the-doctor.

Key Advantages
  • Costs $0.24 (100% savings over The Fourteenth Doctor)
  • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • Costs 3 additional mana to cast
  • Delivers 75% of the mechanical power ceiling
Ideal Deck Context: Casual and budget Commander decks looking to preserve curve efficiency under $5.
#mill-self#pair-commander#the-doctor
Buy on TCGplayer Mana Pool
#2

Dack's Duplicate

(Creature — Shapeshifter4 MV)
$0.41Save 100%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for Dack's Duplicate (Creature — Shapeshifter)
63% Vector Similarity MatchUnder $5.00

You may have this creature enter as a copy of any creature on the battlefield, except it has haste and dethrone. (Whenever it attacks the player with the most life or tied for most life, put a +1/+1 counter on it.)

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Acts as a Creature alternative to The Fourteenth Doctor's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #clone, #copy-creature, #gains-haste.

Key Advantages
  • Costs $0.41 (100% savings over The Fourteenth Doctor)
  • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
  • Delivers 63% of the mechanical power ceiling
Ideal Deck Context: Casual and budget Commander decks looking to preserve curve efficiency under $5.
#clone#copy-creature#gains-haste
Buy on TCGplayer Mana Pool
#3

The First Doctor

(Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor3 MV)
$0.24Save 100%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for The First Doctor (Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor)
79% Vector Similarity MatchUnder $5.00

When The First Doctor enters, search your library and/or graveyard for a card named TARDIS, reveal it, and put it into your hand. If you search your library this way, shuffle. Whenever you cast a spell with cascade, put a +1/+1 counter on target artifact or creature.

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Matches The Fourteenth Doctor's Legendary Creature card type and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #pair-commander, #the-doctor.

Key Advantages
  • Costs $0.24 (100% savings over The Fourteenth Doctor)
  • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • Delivers 79% of the mechanical power ceiling
Ideal Deck Context: Casual and budget Commander decks looking to preserve curve efficiency under $5.
#pair-commander#the-doctor
Buy on TCGplayer Mana Pool
#4

The Twelfth Doctor

(Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor5 MV)
$0.34Save 100%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for The Twelfth Doctor (Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor)
78% Vector Similarity MatchUnder $5.00

The first spell you cast from anywhere other than your hand each turn has demonstrate. (When you cast that spell, you may copy it. If you do, choose an opponent to also copy it. A copy of a permanent spell becomes a token.) Whenever you copy a spell, put a +1/+1 counter on The Twelfth Doctor.

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Matches The Fourteenth Doctor's Legendary Creature card type and costs 2 more mana (5 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #pair-commander, #the-doctor.

Key Advantages
  • Costs $0.34 (100% savings over The Fourteenth Doctor)
  • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • Costs 2 additional mana to cast
  • Delivers 78% of the mechanical power ceiling
Ideal Deck Context: Casual and budget Commander decks looking to preserve curve efficiency under $5.
#pair-commander#the-doctor
Buy on TCGplayer Mana Pool
#5

The Fourth Doctor

(Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor4 MV)
$0.35Save 100%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for The Fourth Doctor (Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor)
77% Vector Similarity MatchUnder $5.00

You may look at the top card of your library any time. Would You Like A...? — Once each turn, you may play a historic land or cast a historic spell from the top of your library. When you do, create a Food token. (Artifacts, legendaries, and Sagas are historic.)

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Matches The Fourteenth Doctor's Legendary Creature card type and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #pair-commander, #the-doctor.

Key Advantages
  • Costs $0.35 (100% savings over The Fourteenth Doctor)
  • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
  • Delivers 77% of the mechanical power ceiling
Ideal Deck Context: Casual and budget Commander decks looking to preserve curve efficiency under $5.
#pair-commander#the-doctor
Buy on TCGplayer Mana Pool
#6

The Seventh Doctor

(Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor5 MV)
$0.26Save 100%
Magic: The Gathering budget alternative card image for The Seventh Doctor (Legendary Creature — Time Lord Doctor)
76% Vector Similarity MatchUnder $5.00

Whenever The Seventh Doctor attacks, choose a card in your hand. Defending player guesses whether that card's mana value is greater than the number of artifacts you control. If they guessed wrong, you may cast it without paying its mana cost. If you don't cast a spell this way, investigate. (Create a Clue token. It's an artifact with "{2}, Sacrifice this token: Draw a card.")

Why It's A Strong Alternative

Matches The Fourteenth Doctor's Legendary Creature card type and costs 2 more mana (5 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #pair-commander, #the-doctor.

Key Advantages
  • Costs $0.26 (100% savings over The Fourteenth Doctor)
  • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
Trade-offs & Nuance
  • Costs 2 additional mana to cast
  • Delivers 76% of the mechanical power ceiling
Ideal Deck Context: Casual and budget Commander decks looking to preserve curve efficiency under $5.
#pair-commander#the-doctor
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
The Eighth Doctor

Maximizes mana efficiency and replicates The Fourteenth Doctor's primary trigger role.

Ultra-Budget / Casual Pods
The Eighth Doctor

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

Synergy-Driven Strategies
Dack's Duplicate

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

Competitive Nuance: When NOT to Use A Replacement

When Is The Fourteenth Doctor Irreplaceable?

If your deck relies on specific infinite combo lines that require The Fourteenth Doctor'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 $113.71 price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Fourteenth Doctor Alternatives

Answers to the most common deckbuilding and replacement queries.

What is the best budget alternative to The Fourteenth Doctor?+

The Eighth Doctor ($0.24) is the best overall alternative to The Fourteenth Doctor ($113.71), saving $113.47 (100% savings) with a 75% functional vector match.

What cards are like The Fourteenth Doctor in MTG?+

Cards like The Fourteenth Doctor include The Eighth Doctor ($0.24), Dack's Duplicate ($0.41), The First Doctor ($0.24), The Twelfth Doctor ($0.34). These cards share similar mana curves, mechanics, and strategic roles in Commander.

What is the cheapest replacement for The Fourteenth Doctor?+

The Eighth Doctor ($0.24) is the most affordable replacement, saving over 100% compared to The Fourteenth Doctor.

Why would a player want a replacement for The Fourteenth Doctor?+

At $113.71, The Fourteenth Doctor 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 The Fourteenth Doctor?+

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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