Budget Alternatives to Underhanded Designs
Looking for a functional budget replacement for Underhanded Designs ($0.20)? 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 Single-Target Removal role for a fraction of the cost.
Top 3 Substitutes for Underhanded Designs at a Glance
Hierophant's Chalice
Acts as a Artifact alternative to Underhanded Designs's Enchantment and costs 1 more mana (3 MV vs 2 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #drain-life, #opponent-loses-life.
Anchovy & Banana Pizza
Acts as a Artifact alternative to Underhanded Designs's Enchantment and costs 2 more mana (4 MV vs 2 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #removal-creature, #removal-destroy.
Dubious Delicacy
Acts as a Artifact alternative to Underhanded Designs's Enchantment and costs 1 more mana (3 MV vs 2 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #opponent-loses-life, #spot-removal.
Underhanded Designs
30-day $0.20–$0.20 · +0% (11 snapshots)
Prices as of 2026-10-23
How Much Can You Save? (Price & Similarity Matrix)
Direct financial comparison between Underhanded Designs and top budget alternatives.
| Card Name | Card Type & CMC | Price | Savings ($) | Savings (%) | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underhanded Designs (Original) | Enchantment | $0.20 | — | — | Original |
| #1 Hierophant's Chalice | Artifact (3 MV) | $0.22 | $0.00 | 0% | Very strong match |
| #2 Dubious Delicacy | Artifact (3 MV) | $0.17 | $0.03 | 15% | Very strong match |
| #3 Faith of the Devoted | Enchantment (3 MV) | $0.34 | $0.00 | 0% | Very strong match |
| #4 Dogged Pursuit | Enchantment (4 MV) | $0.19 | $0.01 | 5% | Very strong match |
| #5 Popular Egotist | Creature (3 MV) | $0.23 | $0.00 | 0% | Very strong match |
| #6 Anchovy & Banana Pizza | Artifact (4 MV) | $0.14 | $0.06 | 30% | Very strong match |
In-Depth Analysis: Best Alternatives to Underhanded Designs
Detailed mechanical similarities, differences, advantages, disadvantages, and ideal deck situations for each substitute.
Hierophant's Chalice
(Artifact • 3 MV)
When this artifact enters, target opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life. {T}: Add {C}.
Acts as a Artifact alternative to Underhanded Designs's Enchantment and costs 1 more mana (3 MV vs 2 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #drain-life, #opponent-loses-life.
- • Costs $0.22 (0% savings over Underhanded Designs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Dubious Delicacy
(Artifact — Food • 3 MV)
Flash When this artifact enters, up to one target creature gets -3/-3 until end of turn. {2}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life. {2}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: Target opponent loses 3 life.
Acts as a Artifact alternative to Underhanded Designs's Enchantment and costs 1 more mana (3 MV vs 2 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #opponent-loses-life, #spot-removal.
- • Costs $0.17 (15% savings over Underhanded Designs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Faith of the Devoted
(Enchantment • 3 MV)
Whenever you cycle or discard a card, you may pay {1}. If you do, each opponent loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
Matches Underhanded Designs's Enchantment card type and costs 1 more mana (3 MV vs 2 MV). Shares the #group-slug mechanic (accelerates the game by applying consistent damage pressure to all opponents).
- • Costs $0.34 (0% savings over Underhanded Designs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Costs 1 more mana, arriving a full turn later on curve.
Dogged Pursuit
(Enchantment • 4 MV)
At the beginning of your end step, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
Matches Underhanded Designs's Enchantment card type and costs 2 more mana (4 MV vs 2 MV). Shares the #group-slug mechanic (accelerates the game by applying consistent damage pressure to all opponents).
- • Costs $0.19 (5% savings over Underhanded Designs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 2 additional mana to cast
- • Costs 2 more mana, arriving a full turn later on curve.
Popular Egotist
(Creature — Human Rogue • 3 MV)
{1}{B}, Sacrifice another creature or enchantment: This creature gains indestructible until end of turn. Tap it. (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy it.) Whenever you sacrifice a permanent, target opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
Acts as a Creature alternative to Underhanded Designs's Enchantment and costs 1 more mana (3 MV vs 2 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #drain-life, #opponent-loses-life.
- • Costs $0.23 (0% savings over Underhanded Designs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Anchovy & Banana Pizza
(Artifact — Food • 4 MV)
When this artifact enters, destroy target creature. {2}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.
Acts as a Artifact alternative to Underhanded Designs's Enchantment and costs 2 more mana (4 MV vs 2 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #removal-creature, #removal-destroy.
- • Costs $0.14 (30% savings over Underhanded Designs)
- • Fills the Enchantment curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 2 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 Underhanded Designs'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 Underhanded Designs Irreplaceable?
If your deck relies on specific infinite combo lines that require Underhanded Designs'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 $0.20 price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Underhanded Designs 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 Underhanded Designs?+
Hierophant's Chalice ($0.22) is the best overall alternative to Underhanded Designs ($0.20), saving $0.00 (0% savings), rated a very strong match for this swap.
What cards are like Underhanded Designs in MTG?+
Cards like Underhanded Designs include Hierophant's Chalice ($0.22), Dubious Delicacy ($0.17), Faith of the Devoted ($0.34), Dogged Pursuit ($0.19). These cards share similar mana curves, mechanics, and strategic roles in Commander.
What is the cheapest replacement for Underhanded Designs?+
Anchovy & Banana Pizza ($0.14) is the most affordable replacement, saving over 30% compared to Underhanded Designs.
Why would a player want a replacement for Underhanded Designs?+
At $0.20, Underhanded Designs 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 Underhanded Designs?+
The closest pick, Hierophant's Chalice, still has limits: different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies. In top-tier competitive pods where those edges decide matches, the original remains optimal.
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