Budget Alternatives to Zareth San, the Trickster
Looking for a functional budget replacement for Zareth San, the Trickster ($0.28)? 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 Zareth San, the Trickster at a Glance
Moonblade Shinobi
Acts as a Creature alternative to Zareth San, the Trickster's Legendary Creature and costs 1 less mana (4 MV vs 5 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #attacking-matters, #cheaper-than-mv, #saboteur.
Basilica Stalker
Acts as a Creature alternative to Zareth San, the Trickster's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (6 MV vs 5 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #cheaper-than-mv, #saboteur, #triggered-ability.
Scion of Darkness
Acts as a Creature alternative to Zareth San, the Trickster's Legendary Creature and costs 3 more mana (8 MV vs 5 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activate-from-hand, #cheaper-than-mv, #reanimate-from-opponent.
Zareth San, the Trickster
30-day $0.28–$0.28 · +0% (11 snapshots)
Prices as of 2026-10-23
How Much Can You Save? (Price & Similarity Matrix)
Direct financial comparison between Zareth San, the Trickster and top budget alternatives.
| Card Name | Card Type & CMC | Price | Savings ($) | Savings (%) | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zareth San, the Trickster (Original) | Legendary Creature | $0.28 | — | — | Original |
| #1 Moonblade Shinobi | Creature (4 MV) | $0.18 | $0.10 | 36% | Partial match |
| #2 Scion of Darkness | Creature (8 MV) | $0.33 | $0.00 | 0% | Strong match |
| #3 Kaito, Dancing Shadow | Legendary Planeswalker (4 MV) | $0.39 | $0.00 | 0% | Partial match |
| #4 Haunted Cadaver | Creature (4 MV) | $0.15 | $0.13 | 46% | Partial match |
| #5 Cabal Executioner | Creature (4 MV) | $0.18 | $0.10 | 36% | Partial match |
| #6 Basilica Stalker | Creature (6 MV) | $0.11 | $0.17 | 61% | Partial match |
In-Depth Analysis: Best Alternatives to Zareth San, the Trickster
Detailed mechanical similarities, differences, advantages, disadvantages, and ideal deck situations for each substitute.
Moonblade Shinobi
(Creature — Human Ninja • 4 MV)
Ninjutsu {2}{U} ({2}{U}, Return an unblocked attacker you control to hand: Put this card onto the battlefield from your hand tapped and attacking.) Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, create a 1/1 blue Illusion creature token with flying.
Acts as a Creature alternative to Zareth San, the Trickster's Legendary Creature and costs 1 less mana (4 MV vs 5 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #attacking-matters, #cheaper-than-mv, #saboteur.
- • Costs $0.18 (36% savings over Zareth San, the Trickster)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Faster casting curve (4 MV vs 5 MV)
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Scion of Darkness
(Creature — Avatar • 8 MV)
Trample Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you may put target creature card from that player's graveyard onto the battlefield under your control. Cycling {3} ({3}, Discard this card: Draw a card.)
Acts as a Creature alternative to Zareth San, the Trickster's Legendary Creature and costs 3 more mana (8 MV vs 5 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #activate-from-hand, #cheaper-than-mv, #reanimate-from-opponent.
- • Costs $0.33 (0% savings over Zareth San, the Trickster)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Costs 3 additional mana to cast
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Kaito, Dancing Shadow
(Legendary Planeswalker — Kaito • 4 MV)
Whenever one or more creatures you control deal combat damage to a player, you may return one of them to its owner's hand. If you do, you may activate loyalty abilities of Kaito twice this turn rather than only once. +1: Up to one target creature can't attack or block until your next turn. 0: Draw a card. −2: Create a 2/2 colorless Drone artifact creature token with deathtouch and "When this token leaves the battlefield, each opponent loses 2 life and you gain 2 life."
Acts as a Legendary Planeswalker alternative to Zareth San, the Trickster's Legendary Creature and costs 1 less mana (4 MV vs 5 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #repeatable-crime, #rescue-creature, #saboteur.
- • Costs $0.39 (0% savings over Zareth San, the Trickster)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Faster casting curve (4 MV vs 5 MV)
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Haunted Cadaver
(Creature — Zombie • 4 MV)
Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you may sacrifice it. If you do, that player discards three cards. Morph {1}{B} (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for {3}. Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)
Acts as a Creature alternative to Zareth San, the Trickster's Legendary Creature and costs 1 less mana (4 MV vs 5 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #cheaper-than-mv, #saboteur, #triggered-ability.
- • Costs $0.15 (46% savings over Zareth San, the Trickster)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Faster casting curve (4 MV vs 5 MV)
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Cabal Executioner
(Creature — Human Cleric • 4 MV)
Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, that player sacrifices a creature of their choice. Morph {3}{B}{B} (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for {3}. Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)
Acts as a Creature alternative to Zareth San, the Trickster's Legendary Creature and costs 1 less mana (4 MV vs 5 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #cheaper-than-mv, #saboteur, #triggered-ability.
- • Costs $0.18 (36% savings over Zareth San, the Trickster)
- • Fills the Legendary Creature curve slot cleanly
- • Faster casting curve (4 MV vs 5 MV)
- • Different card type, so it answers different removal and misses type-based synergies.
Basilica Stalker
(Creature — Vampire Detective • 6 MV)
Flying Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you gain 1 life and surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put it into your graveyard.) Disguise {4}{B} (You may cast this card face down for {3} as a 2/2 creature with ward {2}. Turn it face up any time for its disguise cost.)
Acts as a Creature alternative to Zareth San, the Trickster's Legendary Creature and costs 1 more mana (6 MV vs 5 MV). Overlaps on functional mechanics including #cheaper-than-mv, #saboteur, #triggered-ability.
- • Costs $0.11 (61% savings over Zareth San, the Trickster)
- • 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.
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
Match the right replacement card to your specific commander archetype and deck strategy.
Maximizes mana efficiency and replicates Zareth San, the Trickster'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 Zareth San, the Trickster Irreplaceable?
If your deck relies on specific infinite combo lines that require Zareth San, the Trickster'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 $0.28 price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zareth San, the Trickster 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 Zareth San, the Trickster?+
Moonblade Shinobi ($0.18) is the best overall alternative to Zareth San, the Trickster ($0.28), saving $0.10 (36% savings), rated a partial match for this swap.
What cards are like Zareth San, the Trickster in MTG?+
Cards like Zareth San, the Trickster include Moonblade Shinobi ($0.18), Scion of Darkness ($0.33), Kaito, Dancing Shadow ($0.39), Haunted Cadaver ($0.15). These cards share similar mana curves, mechanics, and strategic roles in Commander.
What is the cheapest replacement for Zareth San, the Trickster?+
Basilica Stalker ($0.11) is the most affordable replacement, saving over 61% compared to Zareth San, the Trickster.
Why would a player want a replacement for Zareth San, the Trickster?+
At $0.28, Zareth San, the Trickster 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 Zareth San, the Trickster?+
The closest pick, Moonblade Shinobi, 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.
Explore More Budget MTG Guides & Tools
Continue optimizing your deck with our dedicated strategy hubs, card replacement engines, and price filters.
Find Swaps for Any Card with the MTGCheap Engine
Use our local PostgreSQL pgvector engine to search any card in Magic: The Gathering and filter by custom price ceilings, strict card types, and Commander color identity.