Doubling SeasonDoubling Season | Art by Chuck Lukacs

Since the Commander format's inception, it's been known as the place where you can play big splashy spells, and a prime example of one of those cards is Doubling SeasonDoubling Season. However, as the years have gone on, we've been getting more and more new spells that tread down a similar path, and cost far less than this pricey enchantment.

So, with that in mind, join me Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, as I cover some of the more budget friendly cards that you could be playing instead of this format staple.

Is Doubling Season Redundant?

For five mana, Doubling SeasonDoubling Season hits your board and starts doubling your token and counter production. While that definitely is a strong effect, we've gotten a lot of newer cards that offer players similar abilities. Plus, a lot of the decks that play this enchantment really only need one half of this card.

That means that you could be spending double the amount of money and mana, while only utilizing a portion of the card. So, let's break this down by section, kicking things off with options for counter decks.

Replacements for Doubling SeasonDoubling Season in Counter Decks

Popular Counter Commanders

As time goes on, counter decks get more and more tools that supercharge their lists. When it comes to adding more counters to the board, there's plenty of options to look towards at lower mana costs, and even a few that provide additional value from there.

While most of these cards benefit +1/+1 counter decks, there're still a few that boosts up any kind of counter your strategy is built around. Let's start off with my pick for one of the best replacements for Doubling SeasonDoubling Season.

• Hardened ScalesHardened Scales: If you have a +1/+1 counter deck, this enchantment will put in so much work for you compared to Doubling Season. Throwing this out on turn one means that your game plan starts cruising right away.
• Branching EvolutionBranching Evolution: If you have a deck the requires those counters to be doubled, then here's an enchantment that only costs three mana, but still delivers that same splashy effect.
• Pir, Imaginative RascalPir, Imaginative Rascal: Maybe you're looking to add all kinds of different counters to your board, which is where this three-drop legend can come in handy.

• The Earth CrystalThe Earth Crystal: While this card might be pricey to purchase, it does double your counter output, reduces your green spell costs, and even pumps up your whole team for six mana.
• Loading ZoneLoading Zone: Here's another option that puts twice as many counters on a few permanent types, while also letting you drop it into play for a single turn to catch your opponents out of nowhere.
• High ScoreHigh Score: While this enchantment only gives you one additional counter, it can provide you with some card advantage if you happen to have the largest creature on the board.

• Michelangelo, Weirdness to 11Michelangelo, Weirdness to 11: If your deck is wanting to add creatures to the board, along with the counters, then this two mana Turtle brings a lot of support to that plan.
• Solid GroundSolid Ground: This card is great if your deck has a land theme, since it allows you to turn one of them into a creature, while you build up your team with counters.
• Kami of Whispered HopesKami of Whispered Hopes: Here's an uncommon that adds a whole lot to a deck, extra counters as well as ramp, which is why it might be fetching that more expensive price tag.

While all of the cards we've covered so far gives you long-term counter building, these are a few options for one time doubling. So, if you're looking to build up to one big alpha strike in a game, then Invigorating SurgeInvigorating Surge and Fangs of KaloniaFangs of Kalonia should be on your radar.

Counters Options for Extra Colors

• Winding ConstrictorWinding Constrictor Here's another option that adds different kinds of counters to creatures, artifacts and even yourself, all for a low mana cost.
• Conclave MentorConclave Mentor: This is another great option for adding an additional +1/+1 counter to your team, while also giving you the opportunity to gain some life when it dies.
• Corpsejack MenaceCorpsejack Menace Next up is a card that has put in a lot of work for me over the years. Turns out that a four-mana 4/4 that doubles your counters is still powerful after all this time.

• Lae'zel, Vlaakith's ChampionLae'zel, Vlaakith's Champion Here's another card that offers up an additional counter for your creatures, yourself, as well as planeswalkers, making it a powerhouse in Superfriends decks.
• Deepglow SkateDeepglow Skate: Now, if you're looking for a big burst of counters all in one turn, this Fish is here to help. Hitting play and doubling any kind of counter on your board is a very powerful effect that could just win you a game.

Replacements for Doubling SeasonDoubling Season in Token Decks

Popular Token Commanders

The budget options for getting a similar effect for token decks are a bit more limited. Of course, if you're willing to spend a bit more, Parallel LivesParallel Lives is one of your best options for replacing Doubling SeasonDoubling Season. Also, if your deck includes white, Anointed ProcessionAnointed Procession, Elspeth, Storm SlayerElspeth, Storm Slayer, Mondrak, Glory DominusMondrak, Glory Dominus, Exalted SunbornExalted Sunborn, and Ojer Taq, Deepest FoundationOjer Taq, Deepest Foundation are all ways to double and even triple your token production.

Let's take a look at a few more budget friendly cards that'll help with duplicating your tokens or just adding more to your board.

• Second HarvestSecond Harvest: If the goal of your deck is to build up an unstoppable board of tokens, then this instant-speed way to double your team should be in your list.
• For the Common GoodFor the Common Good: Here's a card that could save you in a game. Not only does it allow you to increase the size of your team, but is also protects the tokens on your board, while gaining you life in the process.
• Quina, Qu GourmetQuina, Qu Gourmet: If you're looking for extra tokens, without worrying about what type they are, then this mono-green legend can be adding an army of Frogs to your ranks.

• Stridehangar AutomatonStridehangar Automaton: When this creature is added to a deck that creates a lot of artifact tokens, you'll be getting a whole lot of Thopters that'll help you fill up the air.
• Peregrin TookPeregrin Took: If you're simply looking for more rectangles to build up your board, then adding a Food each time you create tokens will help with that goal.

Token Options for Extra Colors

• Adrix and Nev, TwincastersAdrix and Nev, Twincasters: While this may be one of the more expensive cards on the list today, it does just straight up double all your tokens if you happen to be in these colors.
• Rhys the RedeemedRhys the Redeemed: I've played against this legend many times, and I can tell you how brutal that ability to double all your tokens can be. Even though it costs six mana to activate, the surprise factor alone is worth it.
• Renewed SolidarityRenewed Solidarity: Sure, this card might not double your tokens, but it still combines an anthem effect with a way to add an additional member to your team on your end step.

• Kaya, Geist HunterKaya, Geist Hunter: If you have a deck that has a few ways to create a large number of tokens in one turn, then this planeswalker is a great option to reach for, plus her other abilities are very helpful for this deck archetype.
• DoppelgangDoppelgang: Something this card offers you is a way to not only copy some of your tokens, but also copy your token makers. In the right deck, this spell can lead to some impactful plays.
• Battle for BretagardBattle for Bretagard: In a deck that's filled with ways to make all types of tokens, this Saga can be a powerhouse. It adds some more unique tokens to your board, and eventually gives you a duplicate version of each kind when that final chapter ends.

• Queen Allenal of RuadachQueen Allenal of Ruadach: Giving your deck an additional token whenever your game plan is moving along, while also having a large power and toughness, makes for one great combo for a three-mana legend.
• Worldwalker HelmWorldwalker Helm: If your deck creates artifact tokens, then this card is an all-star for those lists. Map tokens bring you a lot of utility as the games go on, providing you with counters, lands, and top deck manipulation.

My Final Thoughts on This List

So, there you have it, my top picks for the cards that can replace Doubling SeasonDoubling Season - and be a bit more friendly to your wallet.

I'm not typically a player who tells people they should never play certain spells. I think if you own a card, and like how it plays, you should utilize it. However, I know I'd much prefer picking up five singles for the same price as an expensive card, rather than sit there during my games, hoping to draw that one pricey spell out of 99 other options.

Do you agree with me? Are there any cards that I missed? Let me know in the comments below!