Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe | Art by Mark Behm

When it comes to staple level cards, there's a reason they usually fetch a higher price tag. Typically, they provide an effect that's hard to replicate, which is exactly what Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe offered when it first hit the scene in 2019. This enchantment helped white ascend to a higher level in Commander, but after seven years, we've gotten more and more cards that can save you from spending $50 just to add Treasure tokens to your board.

So, join me Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, as I cover some replacements for Smothering Tithe, without breaking the bank.

What Makes Smothering Tithe Special?

When Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe first entered the Commander format, it was in a period of time when white needed assistance with ramp. Since then, the question "Do you pay the two?" has been plaguing tables all around the world. This enchantment's power has become so fabled that it landed itself on the Game Changer list.

However, over the past few years, we've gotten some cards that can give Tithe a run for its money. While most of these won't be able to generate the sheer amount of mana that the original can, they still help you keep up with the table, all while costing far less overall.

So, whether you're looking to save some money, or just remove a Game Changer from a deck, this list will help you along that journey.

Mono-White Replacements for Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe

Tataru Taru

Kicking things off we have Tataru TaruTataru Taru. This little legend has a few things going for it that makes it one of my favorite cards in recent years. As the format speeds up, more and more players are drawing additional cards, even when it's not their turn, which means you'll be gaining some tapped Treasures as you coast off of their success.

Its biggest benefit is that mana value. Since it only costs two mana, you can get Tataru out early, and start building your Treasure collection right away. Plus, that ability to have yourself and another player draw a card shouldn't be overlooked. That effect can help you and another player team up together against an arch enemy, all while getting a card and a Treasure in the process.

Monologue Tax

Our next spell has also benefited from Commander becoming a faster format. When Monologue TaxMonologue Tax was originally printed, it was a bit hit or miss if it would make you Treasure tokens as the game went on. However, as mana curves go down, the chances of people double spelling gets higher and higher.

Also, this enchantment offers another big bonus for me, since it doesn't require you to ask the table "Do you pay the two?" every time they draw a card. Since this just sits there and generates value on its own, it may draw less ire from the rest of the table. When you don't have to interrupt players at the very start of their turns, you're more likely to fly under the radar while you ramp.

Smuggler's Share

While people tend to be afraid of the value that Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe offers, our next card doesn't seem to strike the same fear in players, even though there's a Raccoon holding a knife in the art. Smuggler's ShareSmuggler's Share checks at the end of each turn to make you a Treasure and/or draw you a card, meaning that you get to avoid asking people to pay additional mana for playing the game.

While this enchantment's value depends on how many lands people ramp, or how many cards they draw, it still helps you scale with the rest of the table, so you don't get left behind. On top of that, since you can cast this a turn earlier than Tithe, that means you'll be able to accrue value sooner in the curve of your deck.

Discerning Financier

Finally, we have Discerning FinancierDiscerning Financier, who is a bit more of an honorable mention. I like this card when it's added to a creature-centric deck (especially a Human typal list), while also being a way to give you some catch-up ramp - without adding more lands to the board. Also, you can always give away a Treasure in order to draw a card, which could be useful in a pinch.

Adding Black to the Mix

Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff

When you have a deck that includes both white and black, reaching for Lotho, Corrupt ShirriffLotho, Corrupt Shirriff can definitely help you with your ramp package. This devious Halfling creates you a Treasure token and loses you a life whenever someone casts their second spell, including yourself. Getting this out as early as possible will set you up to start benefiting from everyone developing their boards.

All of these qualities have turned Lotho into a Bracket 5 (cEDH) staple, allowing players to keep up with the table as the game goes on. One drawback to pay attention to is that this isn't a may ability. Meaning that you could be in danger of losing the game if your life total is low enough. However that should be rare... hopefully.

Life Insurance

Finally, we have an enchantment that'll fit right in with Aristocrat decks. Life InsuranceLife Insurance may cost one more mana than Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe, but it allows you to gain value as anyone's creatures leave the board. With this card you'll have the possibility to put yourself ahead as the rest of the table loses their creatures.

Life Insurance also features one of my favorite mechanics: extort. That'll give you the ability to gain back some of the life you've lost during the game, while lowering everyone else's life totals. That combined with creating Treasure tokens as the game goes on offers you the opportunity to ramp into bigger spells, and possibly win you the game as you drain the table.

Repeatable Land Ramp Options

If one of the main reasons you're looking to run Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe is for repeatable ramp, then I'd love to point out a few cards that'll offer you access to additional lands throughout the game.

Keeper of the AccordKeeper of the Accord, Archaeomancer's MapArchaeomancer's Map, and Deep Gnome TerramancerDeep Gnome Terramancer all give you the opportunity to add some Plains to your board over time.

Similar to how Tithe works, all these cards sit there and bring you value based on the actions your opponents take. Each card gets you lands for different reasons, but they all can help you keep up with the rest of the table. Also, if you've got a deck that has a lot of counter creation on hand, be sure to give Scholar of New HorizonsScholar of New Horizons a shot!

My Final Thoughts on Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe

If you have a Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe in your collection, I won't tell you to never play it. One of the easiest ways to save money is by playing with cards you already own. However, if you've thought that the only way to get this type of effect in your decks is by spending that full $50, I hope this list has given you some more options to reach for.

Let me know what you think of this lineup in the comments below. If you've been looking for more budget content, you can find plenty of my articles right here on EDHREC, including my piece from last week where I talked about budget replacements for Doubling Season. Also, you can check out my YouTube channel The Pillow Fort to find additional ways to save some bucks.