<p>Obviously these two cards are unique in their capabilities and you should expect a decreased power level without them. However, there are cards that can fit the roles that these two planeswalkers fill even if they won't be quite as good.</p>

<p><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bWorld%20Breaker%5d">World Breaker</a> is a good choice to replace Karn as it is removal as well as a threat. It's a bit tougher to cast turn 3, but it also provides recursive removal which may help the U/W match-up.</p>

<h3>Spot Removal</h3>

<p>Ugin has a Lightning Bolt and Karn can exile a permanent. The following cards can help fill this role.</p>

<ul>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bSpine%20of%20Ish%20Sah%5d">Spine of Ish Sah</a>: Like "Karn, -3". Potentially recursive.</li>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bWalking%20Ballista%5d">Walking Ballista</a>: Threat + Removal</li>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bWarping%20Wail%5d">Warping Wail</a>: Limited removal with some flexible utility.</li>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bScour%20from%20Existence%5d">Scour from Existence</a>: A colorless Instant, not as good as Spine can be.</li>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bTitan%27s%5d%2b%5bPresence%5d">Titan&#39;s Presence</a>: Possibly viable in Eldrazi Tron.</li>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bBrittle%20Effigy%5d">Brittle Effigy</a>: Creature spot removal for 5.</li>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bUniversal%20Solvent%5d">Universal Solvent</a>: Poor-mans Spine.</li>
</ul>

<h3>Mass Removal</h3>

<p>Ugins -X can destroy multiple permanents, so we need something to cover that as well.</p>

<ul>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bOblivion%20Stone%5d">Oblivion Stone</a>: Probably already in the deck, but could increase to 4.</li>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bRatchet%20Bomb%5d">Ratchet Bomb</a>: Excellent against tokens, configurable destruction.</li>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bBlast%20Zone%5d">Blast Zone</a>: Mass removal on a land, similar to Ratchet Bomb but starts at '1'.</li>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bBoompile%5d">Boompile</a>: Fast, but random.</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-17T19:37:11.707Z
2019-05-17T21:30:07.287Z
2019-05-17T21:30:07.287Z
Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Rolla
<p>I am building a mono green Tron deck with a 60$ budget and looking for cheaper alternatives to replace planeswalkers listed below:</p>

<ol>
<li><p><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bUgin%2c%20the%20Spirit%20Dragon%5d">Ugin, the Spirit Dragon</a></p></li>
<li><p><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bKarn%20Liberated%5d">Karn Liberated</a></p></li>
</ol>

<p>I need a replacement for Ugin's -X ability because its kinda hard to deal with humans, spirits and similar creature spam decks.
I also need a replacement for Karn's -3 ability which kinda helps a lot in mirror matches or when you need to take their combo piece away without them having a chance to get it back.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-16T18:39:04.007Z
I think with some clearer wording this would be a fine question. We have other well-received questions asking for alternatives to specific cards. https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/47156/is-there-a-budget-version-of-collected-company-for-this-modern-elf-deck
GendoIkari
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-16T19:16:13.733Z
yeah English is not my main.....   but ill try to edit it...
Shara Shara
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-17T04:07:34.517Z
This is still too broad; asking about three different cards at once puts any answer with just one or two in limbo.
Nij
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-17T04:45:56.320Z
so i have to ask about each card separately?
Shara Shara
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-17T07:01:15.027Z
You should at least clarify what exactly the replacement cards should do. For example, for Karn Liberated, do you need a replacement for his +4 or for his -3? That is always a problem with "similar card" questions.
Hackworth
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-17T07:32:55.673Z
i think its finally both readable and clear if not correct me and ill try to do it again...
Shara Shara
<magic-the-gathering>
Are there budget replacements for Ugin and Karn removal abilities?
Shara Shara
# Are there budget replacements for Ugin and Karn removal abilities?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-05-16)

I am building a mono green Tron deck with a 60$ budget and looking for cheaper alternatives to replace planeswalkers listed below:

1. [Ugin, the Spirit Dragon](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bUgin%2c%20the%20Spirit%20Dragon%5d)
2. [Karn Liberated](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bKarn%20Liberated%5d)

I need a replacement for Ugin's -X ability because its kinda hard to deal with humans, spirits and similar creature spam decks.
I also need a replacement for Karn's -3 ability which kinda helps a lot in mirror matches or when you need to take their combo piece away without them having a chance to get it back.

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I think with some clearer wording this would be a fine question. We have other well-received questions asking for alternatives to specific cards. https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/47156/is-there-a-budget-version-of-collected-company-for-this-modern-elf-deck  
> **username_0**: yeah English is not my main.....   but ill try to edit it...  
> **username_2**: This is still too broad; asking about three different cards at once puts any answer with just one or two in limbo.  
> **username_0**: so i have to ask about each card separately?  
> **username_3**: You should at least clarify what exactly the replacement cards should do. For example, for Karn Liberated, do you need a replacement for his +4 or for his -3? That is always a problem with "similar card" questions.  
> **username_0**: i think its finally both readable and clear if not correct me and ill try to do it again...  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2019-05-17. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Obviously these two cards are unique in their capabilities and you should expect a decreased power level without them. However, there are cards that can fit the roles that these two planeswalkers fill even if they won't be quite as good.

[World Breaker](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bWorld%20Breaker%5d) is a good choice to replace Karn as it is removal as well as a threat. It's a bit tougher to cast turn 3, but it also provides recursive removal which may help the U/W match-up.

### Spot Removal

Ugin has a Lightning Bolt and Karn can exile a permanent. The following cards can help fill this role.

* [Spine of Ish Sah](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bSpine%20of%20Ish%20Sah%5d): Like "Karn, -3". Potentially recursive.
* [Walking Ballista](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bWalking%20Ballista%5d): Threat + Removal
* [Warping Wail](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bWarping%20Wail%5d): Limited removal with some flexible utility.
* [Scour from Existence](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bScour%20from%20Existence%5d): A colorless Instant, not as good as Spine can be.
* [Titan's Presence](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bTitan%27s%5d%2b%5bPresence%5d): Possibly viable in Eldrazi Tron.
* [Brittle Effigy](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bBrittle%20Effigy%5d): Creature spot removal for 5.
* [Universal Solvent](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bUniversal%20Solvent%5d): Poor-mans Spine.

### Mass Removal

Ugins -X can destroy multiple permanents, so we need something to cover that as well.

* [Oblivion Stone](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bOblivion%20Stone%5d): Probably already in the deck, but could increase to 4.
* [Ratchet Bomb](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bRatchet%20Bomb%5d): Excellent against tokens, configurable destruction.
* [Blast Zone](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bBlast%20Zone%5d): Mass removal on a land, similar to Ratchet Bomb but starts at '1'.
* [Boompile](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bBoompile%5d): Fast, but random.


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