Budget Alternatives to Varolz, the Scar-Striped
Looking for a functional budget replacement for Varolz, the Scar-Striped ($0.45)? 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 Mana Accelerator & Ramp role for a fraction of the cost.
Top 3 Substitutes for Varolz, the Scar-Striped at a Glance
Charnel Troll
Acts as a Creature alternative to Varolz, the Scar-Striped's Legendary Creature and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #gains-pp-counters, #graveyard-fuel-creature.
Golgari Guildmage
Acts as a Creature alternative to Varolz, the Scar-Striped's Legendary Creature and costs 1 less mana (2 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #alliteration, #gains-pp-counters.
Young Deathclaws
Acts as a Creature alternative to Varolz, the Scar-Striped's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #gains-pp-counters, #gives-pp-counters, #gives-scavenge.
Varolz, the Scar-Striped
30-day $0.45–$0.45 · +0% (10 snapshots)
Prices as of 2026-10-22
How Much Can You Save? (Price & Similarity Matrix)
Direct financial comparison between Varolz, the Scar-Striped and top budget alternatives.
| Card Name | Card Type & CMC | Price | Savings ($) | Savings (%) | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varolz, the Scar-Striped (Original) | Legendary Creature | $0.45 | — | — | Original |
| #1 Charnel Troll | Creature (3 MV) | $0.08 | $0.37 | 82% | Strong match |
| #2 Young Deathclaws | Creature (4 MV) | $0.36 | $0.09 | 20% | Very strong match |
| #3 Novice Dissector | Creature (4 MV) | $0.13 | $0.32 | 71% | Strong match |
| #4 Golgari Guildmage | Creature (2 MV) | $0.11 | $0.34 | 76% | Strong match |
| #5 Woe Strider | Creature (3 MV) | $0.28 | $0.17 | 38% | Strong match |
| #6 Greta, Sweettooth Scourge | Legendary Creature (3 MV) | $0.31 | $0.14 | 31% | Strong match |
In-Depth Analysis: Best Alternatives to Varolz, the Scar-Striped
Detailed mechanical similarities, differences, advantages, disadvantages, and ideal deck situations for each substitute.
Charnel Troll
(Creature — Troll • 3 MV)
Trample At the beginning of your upkeep, exile a creature card from your graveyard. If you do, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature. Otherwise, sacrifice it. {B}{G}, Discard a creature card: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.
Acts as a Creature alternative to Varolz, the Scar-Striped's Legendary Creature and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #gains-pp-counters, #graveyard-fuel-creature.
- • Costs $0.08 (82% savings over Varolz, the Scar-Striped)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Young Deathclaws
(Creature — Lizard Mutant • 4 MV)
Menace (This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.) Each creature card in your graveyard has scavenge. The scavenge cost is equal to its mana cost. (Exile a creature card from your graveyard and pay its mana cost: Put a number of +1/+1 counters equal to that card's power on target creature. Scavenge only as a sorcery.)
Acts as a Creature alternative to Varolz, the Scar-Striped's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #gains-pp-counters, #gives-pp-counters, #gives-scavenge.
- • Costs $0.36 (20% savings over Varolz, the Scar-Striped)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Novice Dissector
(Creature — Troll Warlock • 4 MV)
{1}, Sacrifice another creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. Activate only as a sorcery.
Acts as a Creature alternative to Varolz, the Scar-Striped's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (4 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #gains-pp-counters, #gives-pp-counters.
- • Costs $0.13 (71% savings over Varolz, the Scar-Striped)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 1 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Golgari Guildmage
(Creature — Elf Shaman • 2 MV)
{4}{B}, Sacrifice a creature: Return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand. {4}{G}: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
Acts as a Creature alternative to Varolz, the Scar-Striped's Legendary Creature and costs 1 less mana (2 MV vs 3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #alliteration, #gains-pp-counters.
- • Costs $0.11 (76% savings over Varolz, the Scar-Striped)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Faster casting curve (2 MV vs 3 MV)
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Woe Strider
(Creature — Horror • 3 MV)
When this creature enters, create a 0/1 white Goat creature token. Sacrifice another creature: Scry 1. Escape—{3}{B}{B}, Exile four other cards from your graveyard. (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its escape cost.) This creature escapes with two +1/+1 counters on it.
Acts as a Creature alternative to Varolz, the Scar-Striped's Legendary Creature and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #free-sacrifice-outlet, #gains-pp-counters.
- • Costs $0.28 (38% savings over Varolz, the Scar-Striped)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Greta, Sweettooth Scourge
(Legendary Creature — Human Warrior • 3 MV)
When Greta enters, create a Food token. (It's an artifact with "{2}, {T}, Sacrifice this token: You gain 3 life.") {G}, Sacrifice a Food: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. Activate only as a sorcery. {1}{B}, Sacrifice a Food: You draw a card and you lose 1 life.
Matches Varolz, the Scar-Striped's Legendary Creature card type and shares the exact same mana value (3 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activated-ability, #alliteration, #gains-pp-counters.
- • Costs $0.31 (31% savings over Varolz, the Scar-Striped)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Overlaps 5 of 14 tracked mechanics; the rest is lost in translation.
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
Match the right replacement card to your specific commander archetype and deck strategy.
Maximizes mana efficiency and replicates Varolz, the Scar-Striped'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 Varolz, the Scar-Striped Irreplaceable?
If your deck relies on specific infinite combo lines that require Varolz, the Scar-Striped'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 $0.45 price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Varolz, the Scar-Striped 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 Varolz, the Scar-Striped?+
Charnel Troll ($0.08) is the best overall alternative to Varolz, the Scar-Striped ($0.45), saving $0.37 (82% savings), rated a strong match for this swap.
What cards are like Varolz, the Scar-Striped in MTG?+
Cards like Varolz, the Scar-Striped include Charnel Troll ($0.08), Young Deathclaws ($0.36), Novice Dissector ($0.13), Golgari Guildmage ($0.11). These cards share similar mana curves, mechanics, and strategic roles in Commander.
What is the cheapest replacement for Varolz, the Scar-Striped?+
Golgari Guildmage ($0.11) is the most affordable replacement, saving over 76% compared to Varolz, the Scar-Striped.
Why would a player want a replacement for Varolz, the Scar-Striped?+
At $0.45, Varolz, the Scar-Striped 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 Varolz, the Scar-Striped?+
The closest pick, Charnel Troll, 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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