{"ops":[{"insert":"OB NIXILIS, CAPTIVE KINGPIN"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Kingpin Always Collects"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"By TheorycraftMTG"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Commander:"},{"insert":" Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Power Level:"},{"insert":" Bracket 4 — Optimized\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Colour Identity:"},{"insert":" Rakdos (Black/Red)\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Strategy:"},{"insert":" Pingers / Spellslinger / Exile Value / Storm / Combo\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Primary Win Conditions:"},{"insert":" All Will Be One, Agatha's Soul Cauldron + Walking Ballista, Grapeshot, and commander damage\n\nIntroduction — One Damage Is All It Takes"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Welcome to my Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin Commander deck.\nThis deck revolves around one of my favourite mechanics in Magic: The Gathering — turning a single point of damage into an overwhelming advantage.\nMost decks want to deal as much damage as possible with each spell. We're doing almost the exact opposite.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"We want to deal exactly one damage, as many separate times as possible."},{"insert":"\nEvery time an opponent loses exactly one life from a qualifying event, Ob Nixilis grows stronger and gives us access to another card from our library.\nOne damage becomes a counter.\nOne counter becomes another card.\nAnother card becomes another spell.\nAnd that spell can generate even more damage.\nEventually, we're creating an engine that feeds itself, allowing us to chain spells, generate enormous amounts of card advantage, and assemble game-ending combinations.\nThis is a high-powered Rakdos Commander deck built around efficient acceleration, inexpensive damage engines, premium interaction, and explosive turns.\nWe have multiple ways to win, including two different infinite combos that take advantage of Ob Nixilis's triggered ability.\nBut regardless of how the game ends, everything starts with the same principle.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"One damage is never just one damage."},{"insert":"\n\n1. Understanding Our Commander"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob Nixilis is a four-mana 4/3 Demon with flying and trample.\nHis triggered ability reads:\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Whenever one or more opponents each lose exactly 1 life, put a +1/+1 counter on Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin. Exile the top card of your library. Until your next end step, you may play that card."},{"insert":"\nThe wording of this ability is extremely important.\nOb doesn't trigger whenever an opponent loses life.\nHe triggers when one or more opponents lose "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"exactly one life from a single event"},{"insert":".\nFor example:\nLightning Bolt dealing three damage to an opponent does not trigger Ob."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Firebrand Archer dealing one damage to each opponent triggers Ob once."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Three separate Firebrand Archer triggers generate three Ob triggers."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"An opponent paying exactly one life can trigger Ob."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"An opponent cracking a fetch land and paying one life can trigger Ob."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This means our deck is built to generate numerous separate one-damage or one-life-loss events rather than relying on individual large hits.\nWhy Ob Is So Powerful"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Every successful trigger does two things.\nFirst, Ob receives a +1/+1 counter.\nSecond, we exile the top card of our library and gain permission to play it until our next end step.\nThis gives us access to an enormous number of additional cards.\nHowever, those cards aren't drawn into our hand.\nWe still have to pay their costs, follow their normal timing restrictions, and obey our normal land-play limits.\nThat's why our deck contains so much mana acceleration.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Generating Ob triggers gives us options. Generating mana allows us to use those options."},{"insert":"\n\n2. Our Game Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Early Game — Establishing the Kingpin"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our first priority is developing mana and establishing inexpensive sources of damage.\nWe want to cast Ob Nixilis as early as reasonably possible, ideally with a way to trigger him immediately.\nOur acceleration package includes:\nSol Ring"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mana Vault"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Chrome Mox"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lotus Petal"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ancient Tomb"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gemstone Caverns"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Arcane Signet"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Fellwar Stone"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Talisman of Indulgence"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We also have rituals such as Dark Ritual, Cabal Ritual, Rite of Flame, Pyretic Ritual, Culling the Weak, and Seething Song.\nThese allow us to accelerate into Ob or generate explosive turns once our commander is established.\nOur inexpensive damage engines include Firebrand Archer, Kessig Flamebreather, Coruscation Mage, Sawblade Scamp, and Thermo-Alchemist.\nIdeally, we want to establish one of these creatures before or shortly after casting Ob.\nHowever, we shouldn't automatically spend every resource to cast our commander as quickly as possible.\nSometimes it's better to wait one turn so we can protect him or immediately generate value.\nMidgame — Turning Damage Into Resources"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once Ob is established, our goal is to begin chaining spells.\nWe're looking for three things:\nOb Nixilis on the battlefield."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A repeatable source of exactly one damage or life loss."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Enough mana to cast the cards we're exiling."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With these pieces established, the deck becomes increasingly explosive.\nWe cast a spell.\nOur damage engines trigger.\nAn opponent loses exactly one life.\nOb triggers, grows larger, and exiles another card.\nIf we can cast that card, it may generate additional damage and another Ob trigger.\nThis is how we turn ordinary spellcasting into an engine that can take over the game.\nLate Game — Closing the Deal"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our late game isn't necessarily about reaching a particular turn number.\nInstead, we're looking for a point where our resources allow us to assemble a winning line.\nThat might involve:\nAll Will Be One and Ob Nixilis."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Agatha's Soul Cauldron and Walking Ballista."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A lethal Grapeshot."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A powerful Underworld Breach turn."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"An enormous Ob Nixilis attacking for commander damage."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck can win through several different approaches.\nThe challenge is recognizing which line is available and sequencing our resources correctly.\n\n3. The Pinger Package — Death by a Thousand Cuts"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our pingers are the foundation of the deck.\nThese cards turn normal game actions into repeated one-damage events.\nFirebrand Archer"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Firebrand Archer deals one damage to each opponent whenever we cast a noncreature spell.\nThis makes our rituals, artifacts, removal spells, and other noncreature spells potential sources of Ob triggers.\nKessig Flamebreather"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Kessig Flamebreather provides another version of this effect.\nHaving multiple spell-based damage engines increases our consistency and makes our explosive turns substantially more dangerous.\nCoruscation Mage"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Coruscation Mage is another important damage engine.\nIt rewards us for casting noncreature spells and can create an offspring token when we pay its offspring cost.\nThat token is particularly valuable because it gives us an additional copy of the Mage's triggered ability.\nWith both the original Mage and its offspring token on the battlefield, each qualifying spell generates two separate damage triggers.\nEach trigger can cause an opponent to lose exactly one life, resulting in additional Ob triggers.\nThis is why Coruscation Mage is such an effective card in the deck.\nThermo-Alchemist"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Thermo-Alchemist can tap to deal one damage to each opponent.\nWhenever we cast an instant or sorcery spell, it untaps.\nThis allows us to activate it multiple times during a spell-heavy turn.\nFor example:\nTap Thermo-Alchemist to deal one damage to each opponent."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Trigger Ob."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cast Dark Ritual."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Untap Thermo-Alchemist."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tap it again."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Trigger Ob again."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is an excellent way to generate card advantage while developing additional mana.\nKindlespark Duo"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Kindlespark Duo provides another repeatable source of damage and rewards us for casting spells.\nIt contributes to our plan of converting inexpensive spells into additional Ob triggers.\nSawblade Scamp"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sawblade Scamp is an inexpensive creature that benefits from our noncreature spells.\nIt can eventually be sacrificed to deal damage, providing another way to pressure opponents.\nOther Damage Engines"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our list also includes cards such as Black Mage's Rod, Kederekt Parasite, Razorkin Needlehead, Scrawling Crawler, Roiling Vortex, and Unstable Amulet.\nThese cards create additional pressure through card draw, spellcasting, and other game actions.\nNot every source of damage will trigger Ob.\nFor example, an effect that deals two damage in a single event won't qualify.\nHowever, these cards still contribute to our overall strategy of making normal game actions increasingly dangerous.\nThe Importance of Multiple Pingers"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The real power of this package comes from layering effects.\nWith Firebrand Archer and Kessig Flamebreather on the battlefield, casting one noncreature spell generates two separate one-damage triggers.\nEach one can trigger Ob.\nWith Coruscation Mage and its offspring token, we can generate even more.\nThe more damage engines we control, the more value we generate from every spell.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"We're not trying to deal ten damage once. We're trying to deal one damage ten times."},{"insert":"\n\n4. Combo One — Ob Nixilis + All Will Be One"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is our most straightforward infinite combo.\nAll Will Be One deals damage whenever we put counters on a permanent or player.\nThe amount of damage equals the number of counters placed.\nBecause Ob Nixilis puts a +1/+1 counter on himself whenever an opponent loses exactly one life, these two cards create a self-sustaining loop.\nRequired Pieces"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin on the battlefield."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"All Will Be One on the battlefield."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A way to make an opponent lose exactly one life."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"How the Combo Works"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"An opponent loses exactly one life."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob Nixilis triggers."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob receives a +1/+1 counter and exiles the top card of our library."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"All Will Be One triggers because a counter was placed on Ob."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"All Will Be One deals one damage to an opponent."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"That opponent loses exactly one life."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob triggers again."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The process repeats."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"As long as we can continue dealing damage to opponents, the loop continues.\nWe can direct the All Will Be One damage among opponents as needed, eliminating them one at a time.\nWhy This Combo Is So Powerful"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob is always available from our command zone.\nThat means we only need to find All Will Be One and create an initial qualifying life-loss event.\nOur deck contains numerous ways to generate that first trigger.\nFirebrand Archer, Kessig Flamebreather, Thermo-Alchemist, Gut Shot, and our other pingers can all help initiate the combo.\nOnce the engine begins, the damage and counter generation sustain each other.\nImportant Rules Note"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob exiles a card with every trigger.\nThis doesn't cause us to lose when our library is empty because exiling cards isn't drawing cards.\nHowever, the loop is mandatory while its triggers continue to generate qualifying damage.\nIf an opponent prevents the damage or the loop cannot produce a game-ending result, we need to handle that situation according to the game's loop rules.\nIn normal circumstances, this combination provides a direct route to eliminating the table.\n\n5. Combo Two — Agatha's Soul Cauldron + Walking Ballista"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is one of the most interesting interactions in the entire deck.\nUnlike our All Will Be One combo, this line uses Ob's own +1/+1 counters to create a repeatable damage engine.\nThe key is "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Agatha's Soul Cauldron"},{"insert":".\nAgatha's Soul Cauldron allows us to exile creature cards from graveyards and gives our creatures with +1/+1 counters the activated abilities of creature cards exiled with it.\nWalking Ballista has an activated ability that allows us to remove a +1/+1 counter from it to deal one damage to any target.\nWhen we combine these cards with Ob Nixilis, we create another infinite damage loop.\nRequired Pieces"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin on the battlefield."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Agatha's Soul Cauldron on the battlefield."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Walking Ballista exiled with Agatha's Soul Cauldron."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At least one +1/+1 counter on Ob Nixilis."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"How the Combo Works"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Walking Ballista is exiled with Agatha's Soul Cauldron."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Because Ob has a +1/+1 counter, he gains Walking Ballista's activated abilities."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Remove a +1/+1 counter from Ob to activate the damage ability."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Deal one damage to an opponent."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"That opponent loses exactly one life, triggering Ob."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob receives another +1/+1 counter and exiles the top card of our library."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We can remove the new counter to deal another point of damage."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat the process."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Every time we remove a counter, we deal one damage.\nEvery time we deal one damage to an opponent, Ob replaces that counter.\nThis creates a self-sustaining damage loop.\nWhy This Combo Is So Interesting"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We're not actually using Walking Ballista as our damage source.\nWe're using Ob Nixilis.\nAgatha's Soul Cauldron gives Ob access to Walking Ballista's activated abilities.\nBecause Ob naturally accumulates +1/+1 counters, he becomes the perfect creature to use those abilities.\nAnd because dealing exactly one damage triggers Ob, he can continually replace the counters we're spending.\nImportant Rules Interaction"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob needs at least one +1/+1 counter to gain the abilities from Agatha's Soul Cauldron.\nIf he has exactly one counter, we can remove it to activate Walking Ballista's damage ability.\nAlthough Ob temporarily loses the Cauldron-granted abilities after removing his last counter, the activated ability already on the stack still resolves.\nWhen that damage causes an opponent to lose exactly one life, Ob triggers and receives another counter.\nHe then regains the abilities granted by Agatha's Soul Cauldron.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The result is a second infinite combo built directly around our commander's own mechanics."},{"insert":"\n\n6. Underworld Breach — Our Graveyard Becomes a Resource"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Underworld Breach is one of the most powerful cards in the deck.\nIt gives our nonland cards in the graveyard escape, allowing us to cast them by paying their mana costs and exiling three other cards from our graveyard.\nIn a deck filled with rituals, inexpensive spells, and spell-based damage engines, this can create explosive turns.\nOur Breach Package"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Some of our most important spells to replay include:\nDark Ritual"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cabal Ritual"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Rite of Flame"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Pyretic Ritual"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Seething Song"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Culling the Weak"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Faithless Looting"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Strike It Rich"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Grapeshot"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"These cards allow us to generate mana, fill our graveyard, and build storm count.\nUnderworld Breach effectively turns our graveyard into another source of spells.\nBreach and Our Pingers"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With Firebrand Archer or Kessig Flamebreather on the battlefield, every noncreature spell we cast from our graveyard creates another damage trigger.\nThat damage can trigger Ob, exiling another card.\nThis allows us to generate additional resources while building toward a finishing spell.\nBreach and Grapeshot"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Grapeshot is one of our most important finishers.\nStorm creates a copy of Grapeshot for each spell cast before it during the turn.\nEach copy deals one damage to its target.\nBecause each copy resolves separately, targeting opponents with those copies can generate individual Ob triggers.\nWith enough storm count, Grapeshot can eliminate opponents or generate enough additional card access to find another winning line.\nOur list doesn't contain the traditional Lion's Eye Diamond and Brain Freeze Breach combo.\nInstead, we're using Breach as a powerful recursion engine that can support explosive spell chains.\n\n7. Birgi, God of Storytelling — Keeping the Engine Running"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Birgi is one of the most important mana engines in our deck.\nWhenever we cast a spell, Birgi adds one red mana that remains available during the turn.\nThis is especially valuable when we're casting numerous inexpensive spells.\nFor example, with Birgi and Firebrand Archer on the battlefield:\nCast a noncreature spell."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Birgi generates one red mana."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Firebrand Archer deals one damage to each opponent."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob triggers and exiles another card."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We use our available mana to cast another spell."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The process continues as long as we have resources."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Birgi helps us convert Ob's temporary card access into additional spellcasting.\nHarnfel, Horn of Bounty"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Birgi's reverse face, Harnfel, provides another source of card advantage.\nBy discarding a card, we can exile the top two cards of our library and play them that turn.\nThis gives us another way to find important spells when our hand contains excess lands or cards we don't currently need.\n\n8. Mana Acceleration — Speed Is a Weapon"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"One of the defining characteristics of this deck is its fast mana package.\nWe want to establish our engines quickly and create explosive opportunities before our opponents can fully develop.\nFast Mana"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ancient Tomb, Chrome Mox, Mana Vault, Lotus Petal, Sol Ring, and Gemstone Caverns allow us to accelerate ahead of the table.\nSome provide ongoing mana, while others provide one-time bursts.\nRituals"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Dark Ritual, Cabal Ritual, Culling the Weak, Rite of Flame, Pyretic Ritual, and Seething Song allow us to generate large amounts of mana during a single turn.\nThese spells are particularly powerful alongside Birgi, Underworld Breach, and our spell-based pingers.\nJeska's Will"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Jeska's Will is one of our strongest spells.\nWhen we control our commander, we can choose both modes.\nThis can generate substantial red mana while exiling three cards that we can play that turn.\nThat gives us both mana and additional options.\nExactly what our deck needs.\nTreasonous Ogre"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Treasonous Ogre allows us to pay life to generate red mana.\nThis can be extremely powerful during turns where we're attempting to assemble a combo or cast numerous spells.\nHowever, our life total is still a resource we need to manage carefully.\n\n9. Tutors and Card Selection — Finding Our Win"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our deck contains several ways to find important cards and improve our consistency.\nVampiric Tutor"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Vampiric Tutor allows us to search for any card and place it on top of our library.\nThis can help us find All Will Be One, Agatha's Soul Cauldron, Walking Ballista, or another important piece.\nGamble"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gamble is an efficient tutor with a random discard drawback.\nBecause our deck contains Underworld Breach, discarding certain cards can sometimes still contribute to our strategy.\nHowever, we shouldn't assume the card we search for will remain in our hand.\nGrim Tutor"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Grim Tutor provides another way to search for whichever card we need.\nAlthough it costs more mana, it improves our consistency.\nSensei's Divining Top"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sensei's Divining Top allows us to manipulate the top of our library.\nThis becomes particularly useful with Ob because we can influence which cards we're about to exile.\nDragon's Rage Channeler"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Dragon's Rage Channeler provides surveil whenever we cast a noncreature spell.\nThis helps filter our draws and fill our graveyard for Underworld Breach.\nFaithless Looting"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Faithless Looting provides inexpensive card selection and fills our graveyard.\nIts flashback ability also allows us to cast it again later.\n\n10. Protection and Interaction"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Because our deck relies on Ob Nixilis and several important engine pieces, protecting those cards is essential.\nDeflecting Swat"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Deflecting Swat can redirect targeted spells or abilities.\nWhen we control our commander, we can cast it without paying its mana cost.\nThis makes it an excellent way to protect Ob during important turns.\nDeadly Rollick"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Deadly Rollick provides efficient creature removal and can be cast for free while we control our commander.\nBolt Bend"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Bolt Bend allows us to redirect targeted spells or abilities.\nBecause Ob starts with four power and grows larger, we can frequently cast Bolt Bend for a single red mana.\nTibalt's Trickery"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tibalt's Trickery gives us access to a counterspell in Rakdos.\nHowever, it can allow an opponent to cast another spell for free, so we need to be careful when choosing what to counter.\nChaos Warp and Feed the Swarm"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Chaos Warp provides flexible removal for problematic permanents.\nFeed the Swarm is particularly valuable because Rakdos has limited enchantment removal.\nRakdos Charm"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Rakdos Charm is an excellent utility spell.\nIt can exile a graveyard, destroy an artifact, or punish a player for controlling a large number of creatures.\nOther Interaction"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our list also contains Abrade, Blasphemous Act, Lightning Bolt, Gut Shot, End the Festivities, Untimely Malfunction, Redirect Lightning, and other interaction.\nGut Shot is especially interesting because it can deal exactly one damage to an opponent while potentially costing no mana.\nThat makes it useful for initiating our Ob triggers and combos.\n\n11. Our Win Conditions"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck has several distinct ways to win.\nWin Condition #1 — All Will Be One"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With Ob Nixilis and All Will Be One on the battlefield, we create an initial one-life-loss event.\nOb receives a counter.\nAll Will Be One deals one damage.\nOb triggers again.\nThe process repeats, allowing us to eliminate opponents through repeated damage.\nWin Condition #2 — Agatha's Soul Cauldron + Walking Ballista"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With Walking Ballista exiled under Agatha's Soul Cauldron and Ob holding a +1/+1 counter, we can repeatedly remove and replace that counter to deal one damage.\nThis creates another infinite damage loop.\nWin Condition #3 — Grapeshot Storm"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We use rituals, Birgi, Underworld Breach, and inexpensive spells to build a substantial storm count.\nThen we cast Grapeshot.\nIts copies can deal lethal damage or generate additional Ob triggers.\nWin Condition #4 — Pinger Chains"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We establish multiple damage engines and cast a sequence of inexpensive spells.\nEach spell generates damage triggers.\nThose triggers generate Ob triggers.\nOb exiles additional cards, potentially giving us more spells to cast.\nWith enough mana and enough damage engines, we can eliminate opponents without needing to assemble either infinite combo.\nWin Condition #5 — Commander Damage"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob starts as a 4/3 with flying and trample.\nEvery successful trigger gives him another +1/+1 counter.\nAfter seventeen triggers, Ob becomes a 21/20.\nThat means a single unblocked attack can eliminate an opponent through commander damage.\nThis provides an alternative win condition when our damage-based combos aren't available.\n\n12. Mulligan Guide"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our opening hand should be evaluated based on three things:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Acceleration, an engine, and a way to generate value."},{"insert":"\nHands We Want"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"An ideal opening hand contains:\nTwo or three mana sources."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At least one fast mana card or ritual."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"An inexpensive pinger."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A tutor or card-selection spell."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Interaction or protection."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"For example, an opening hand containing two lands, Sol Ring, Firebrand Archer, Dark Ritual, Gamble, and Deflecting Swat provides a strong foundation.\nWe have acceleration, a damage engine, a tutor, and protection.\nHands We Should Avoid"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Hands filled with expensive spells but no acceleration can be too slow.\nLikewise, hands containing fast mana but no meaningful follow-up can run out of resources quickly.\nWe should also be cautious about keeping hands that rely entirely on resolving one particular spell.\nThe strongest opening hands allow us to develop multiple possible lines.\n\n13. Advanced Piloting Tips"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Understand Exactly One Life Loss"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ob triggers when one or more opponents lose exactly one life from a single event.\nNot whenever they lose life.\nA single Lightning Bolt dealing three damage won't trigger Ob.\nThree separate effects dealing one damage each will.\nRemember Simultaneous Damage"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If Firebrand Archer deals one damage to each opponent simultaneously, Ob triggers once.\nIf three separate Firebrand Archer-style triggers resolve, Ob can trigger three times.\nThis distinction is essential when counting our triggers.\nManage Our Exiled Cards"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cards exiled by Ob remain playable until our next end step.\nWe need to track which cards are available, how much they cost, and when that permission expires.\nProtect Ob When It Matters"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We don't need to protect Ob at all costs.\nSometimes allowing him to die is better than spending our only protection spell before we're ready to win.\nHowever, when we're assembling a combo or generating an explosive turn, protecting him becomes much more important.\nUse Emergence Zone Strategically"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Emergence Zone allows us to cast spells as though they had flash for the turn.\nThis can create unexpected opportunities to use cards from Ob's exile pile at instant speed.\nUnderstand Sundial of the Infinite"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sundial of the Infinite allows us to end the turn during our own turn.\nThis can be useful for manipulating certain triggers and timing situations.\nHowever, it doesn't permanently extend the duration of Ob's permission to play exiled cards.\nSequence Our Combo Pieces Carefully"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"All Will Be One requires an initial one-life-loss event.\nAgatha's Soul Cauldron requires Walking Ballista to be exiled with it and Ob to have a +1/+1 counter.\nKnowing exactly what each combo requires prevents us from committing resources before we're ready.\nCalculate Before Committing"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck can produce extremely complicated turns.\nWe may have several pingers, multiple spells in exile, rituals in hand, and a growing Ob Nixilis.\nBefore beginning a large sequence, we should identify what we're trying to accomplish.\nAre we assembling All Will Be One?\nAre we looking for Walking Ballista?\nAre we building toward a lethal Grapeshot?\nOr are we generating resources for the following turn?\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The clearer our objective, the better our sequencing becomes."},{"insert":"\n\n14. Strengths and Weaknesses"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Strengths"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Explosive acceleration:"},{"insert":" Fast mana and rituals allow us to develop quickly.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Excellent card advantage:"},{"insert":" Ob can provide access to a substantial number of additional cards.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Two infinite combos:"},{"insert":" We have multiple ways to assemble game-ending loops.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Multiple win conditions:"},{"insert":" We can win through combo, storm, incremental damage, or commander damage.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Strong protection:"},{"insert":" Free interaction and redirect effects help protect our important pieces.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Consistency:"},{"insert":" Tutors and card selection improve our ability to find key cards.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Alternative lines:"},{"insert":" Even when one combo is unavailable, we can threaten another.\nWeaknesses"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Commander reliance:"},{"insert":" Without Ob, we lose a major source of card advantage.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana limitations:"},{"insert":" We can exile more cards than we can realistically cast.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Graveyard hate:"},{"insert":" Underworld Breach becomes weaker against graveyard interaction.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Enchantment interaction:"},{"insert":" Rakdos has limited ways to answer troublesome enchantments.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Combo disruption:"},{"insert":" Removing Ob or an important combo piece at the correct moment can stop our winning line.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Threat perception:"},{"insert":" Our acceleration, tutors, and combo potential make us a significant threat.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Complex sequencing:"},{"insert":" The deck rewards careful planning and punishes mistakes.\n\n15. Bracket Assessment — Optimized"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I classify this deck as "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bracket 4 — Optimized"},{"insert":".\nWe're running premium fast mana, efficient tutors, free interaction, a powerful commander-based card-advantage engine, and two compact infinite combos.\nCards like Ancient Tomb, Chrome Mox, Mana Vault, Vampiric Tutor, Gamble, Jeska's Will, and Underworld Breach significantly increase the deck's speed and consistency.\nWe also have two distinct combo packages:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ob Nixilis + All Will Be One"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ob Nixilis + Agatha's Soul Cauldron + Walking Ballista"},{"insert":"\nBoth combinations give us a route to repeated damage that can eliminate the table.\nThis is not a deck designed exclusively for casual, incremental value.\nIt's built to generate explosive turns, threaten efficient wins, and protect its most important pieces.\nHowever, I wouldn't automatically classify it as cEDH.\nThe deck still dedicates substantial space to incremental pingers, alternative damage engines, and synergy pieces rather than exclusively pursuing the fastest possible competitive win.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"My assessment: Bracket 4 — Optimized."},{"insert":"\n\n16. Final Thoughts — The Kingpin Always Collects"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"What I love about this deck is how much value we can generate from something as simple as a single point of damage.\nMost players barely notice when they lose one life.\nIt's usually insignificant.\nBut with Ob Nixilis on the battlefield, that one point of life loss can become the beginning of something much bigger.\nOne damage becomes a counter.\nOne counter becomes another card.\nAnother card becomes another spell.\nAnd that spell might be the one that ends the game.\nWe have the mana acceleration to establish our strategy quickly.\nWe have the pingers to keep Ob triggering.\nWe have the tutors to find our most important cards.\nWe have the protection to defend our engines.\nAnd we have multiple ways to win once everything comes together.\nSometimes we assemble All Will Be One and eliminate the table.\nSometimes we turn Ob into a Walking Ballista through Agatha's Soul Cauldron.\nSometimes we chain spells into a lethal Grapeshot.\nAnd sometimes Ob simply grows so large that one attack is enough.\nWhat makes this deck so satisfying is that every game presents a different puzzle.\nWe're constantly deciding which cards to cast, which resources to spend, and when to make our move.\nBut regardless of which route we take, the philosophy remains the same.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"One damage is all it takes to start something the table might not be able to stop."},{"insert":"\nAnd once the Kingpin starts collecting, everybody pays.\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"— TheorycraftMTG"},{"insert":"\n"}]}