Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin is a fascinating character in the Magic: The Gathering universe. A powerful commander that brings chaos and control in equal measure, Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin, has captured the attention of players everywhere. Some say he’s one of the best choices for a Rakdos deck, and it’s easy to see why. His abilities make him a fearsome force on the battlefield, and his ability to grow stronger with each opponent’s misfortune is something you don’t want to ignore.
Now, let’s talk about how this card works in your deck. Ob Nixilis’s ability is triggered when an opponent loses exactly 1 life. This means you can use him in a variety of ways to manipulate the game to your advantage. The key thing to remember is that whenever an opponent takes exactly 1 damage, you get to put a +1/+1 counter on Ob Nixilis. On top of that, you also get to exile the top card of your library, which you can then play until your next end step.

But here’s the thing that’s got folks talking: How does Ob Nixilis trigger if more than one opponent loses life at the same time? This is a common question that pops up in the Magic community, and for good reason. Imagine you’re playing a multiplayer game with three opponents, and each of them takes exactly 1 damage all at once. Will Ob Nixilis trigger three times, once for each opponent? Or will it only trigger once?
Let me tell ya, the answer might surprise you. Ob Nixilis will trigger once for each opponent who loses exactly 1 life. So, in the case where all three of your opponents each lose 1 life at the same time, Ob Nixilis will indeed trigger three times, giving him three +1/+1 counters. Not only that, you’ll exile three cards from the top of your library and get to play them until your next end step. It’s a lot of value for just a small amount of damage!
Why is this important? Well, if you’re building a deck around Ob Nixilis, you’ll want to think carefully about how you can trigger this ability multiple times in a turn. You might consider using spells or abilities that deal 1 damage to each opponent, or even combining this with cards that can deal 1 damage repeatedly. The more times you can get this trigger to happen, the stronger Ob Nixilis will become, and the more cards you’ll be able to exile and play.
There are plenty of ways to build a deck around Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin. His versatility is part of what makes him such a powerful commander. You can focus on direct damage spells, use creatures with abilities that deal damage, or even rely on sacrifice effects that cause opponents to lose life. However you decide to play him, one thing is for sure: Ob Nixilis is going to make your opponents think twice before they take any damage!
Key Cards to Pair with Ob Nixilis:
- Chandra, Torch of Defiance – Her ability to deal damage is perfect for triggering Ob Nixilis’s ability.
- Dark Confidant – A great way to make sure you’re drawing cards and keeping the pressure on your opponents.
- Bloodchief’s Thirst – A cheap and efficient removal spell that can also trigger Ob Nixilis.
- Thermopylae – An enchantment that causes opponents to lose life when creatures deal damage.
When it comes to strategy, don’t forget that Ob Nixilis’s second ability—exiling the top card of your library—can be a game-changer. If you can manage to play the cards that get exiled, you’ll have an advantage over your opponents, gaining access to cards you might not otherwise get to use. It’s a great way to ramp up your advantage and keep your opponents on their toes.
But just as important as those abilities, Ob Nixilis is also just a fun card to play with. The satisfaction of seeing him grow stronger with every little bit of damage is something any player can enjoy. Plus, the tension of having to figure out how to keep triggering his ability while managing the rest of your deck makes for a thrilling experience.
Final Thoughts: If you’re looking for a powerful and versatile commander in your Rakdos deck, you can’t go wrong with Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin. He’s a card that rewards strategy and quick thinking, and with the right deck, he can become an unstoppable force. So, whether you’re building a cEDH deck or just looking for a fun new commander to try out, Ob Nixilis might just be the perfect fit for you.
Tags: [Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin, Magic: The Gathering, Rakdos, Commander, Magic Decks, cEDH]












