Smothering Tithe is a white staple that fuels ramp, combos, and card draw engines with the sheer volume of treasures it generates. However, its rising price makes it inaccessible for many budget-conscious Commander players. Fortunately, there are several budget-friendly or functionally similar alternatives that can help you keep pace with mana generation and value creation in your games. Below are in-depth analyses of top replacements, each offering distinct strengths that could slot into different archetypes.
Carpet of Flowers
Carpet of Flowers is a green enchantment that offers one of the most efficient mana accelerants available in Commander—provided your opponents are playing Islands. During each of your main phases, you may add X mana of one color to your mana pool, where X is the number of Islands your opponents control. In a pod where blue is prevalent (which is often the case in Commander), this card easily produces multiple mana per turn with zero upkeep cost and no investment beyond the one green mana. It also avoids the hate that cards like Smothering Tithe often attract.
While it’s more situational than Tithe, in the right metas it can outperform it as a ramp spell, especially during the early and mid-game. This enchantment excels in faster, tempo-based strategies that seek to capitalize on quick mana without needing to play politically or bargain for treasures like some white-based alternatives.
Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff is a powerful low-cost legendary creature from the “Lord of the Rings” Universes Beyond set. Costing only two mana (white and black), Lotho is a reliable engine for generating Treasure tokens. Its effect is deceptively simple: whenever a player casts their second spell each turn, you create a Treasure. In multiplayer games where casting multiple spells is common, Lotho can churn out treasures consistently—sometimes even on every turn cycle.
It fits especially well into aristocrats, treasure, or value decks, and since it doesn’t require mana to activate its effect, it pays for itself quickly. Being legendary, Lotho also opens up opportunities as a commander for Orzhov-based treasure or value decks. It’s worth noting that unlike Smothering Tithe, it doesn’t tax opponents or provide political leverage, but its mana efficiency and passive advantage make it a budget all-star. With a price tag far below Smothering Tithe, Lotho is one of the best 1:1 replacements for players who prioritize consistency and synergy.
Curse of Opulence
Curse of Opulence is an underrated yet powerful card in red decks. For one red mana, you enchant an opponent and gain a strong political tool: whenever you or another player attacks the enchanted opponent, that attacking player creates a Treasure token. This incentivizes opponents to attack someone other than you—creating a soft form of protection—while generating treasures whenever they do. The best part is that you can also join in on the attack and benefit directly.
In multiplayer formats like Commander, this often leads to a surprising volume of treasure production. Curse of Opulence is especially effective in aggressive, combat-focused decks, or in strategies that benefit from political manipulation. While it doesn’t produce treasures off draw effects like Smothering Tithe, it brings a similar level of mana acceleration over time and at a fraction of the cost. It’s also an excellent early-game play, snowballing quickly and drawing little removal due to its low-impact perception. This enchantment plays well in any deck that wants to create chaos, make deals, or benefit from repeated combat triggers.
Monologue Tax
Monologue Tax is a white enchantment from Commander 2021 that mimics the core appeal of Smothering Tithe but trades card-draw punishment for spellcasting punishment. Whenever an opponent casts their second spell each turn, you create a Treasure token. While this doesn’t generate as many treasures as Tithe might in a typical game, it does offer a steady stream of value, especially in pods with fast or spell-heavy decks. It costs one less than Tithe and can go under the radar more easily, letting you accumulate mana over time without drawing too much hate.
Monologue Tax works particularly well in decks that slow the pace of the game or rely on resource attrition. It’s also a strong inclusion in decks built around controlling the board and outvaluing opponents through long-term engines. While less explosive than Tithe, Monologue Tax is much more affordable and often offers just enough ramp to keep your strategy rolling, especially in white decks that traditionally struggle with ramp options.
Smuggler’s Share
Smuggler’s Share is a relatively new white enchantment that offers card draw and treasure creation based on opponents’ actions. At the beginning of each end step, if an opponent drew two or more cards, you draw a card. If an opponent had two or more lands enter the battlefield under their control, you create a Treasure token. This dual-triggered enchantment rewards you for your opponents’ excess and works very well in slower, value-oriented decks.
Unlike Smothering Tithe, which triggers on every opponent draw, Smuggler’s Share is more limited—but it makes up for that by offering both card advantage and ramp in one card. It’s a particularly strong choice in metas full of green ramp or blue draw spells. At a lower price point and with a less aggressive posture, Smuggler’s Share can quietly provide long-term value without painting a target on your back. It’s ideal for decks that want to play the long game and accrue resources passively while preparing for a big late-game play.
Each of these alternatives provides its own flavor of ramp or value engine, making them excellent substitutes for Smothering Tithe depending on your deck’s color identity, playstyle, and budget. Whether you’re aiming for early-game efficiency, political leverage, or long-term value, there’s an option that fits your needs without breaking the bank.