Lab Report 058: Ob Nixilis Hits the Gym: Cutting the Fat From My Commander Deck

Ob Nixilis Hits the Gym: Cutting the Fat From My Commander Deck

So here’s the thing—my Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath deck was looking a little… flabby. You know the type: carrying around Manalith and Darksteel Ingot like they’re still “good” ramp, waddling into battle with Gravebane Zombie hoping to scare someone. Cute, but not exactly striking fear into a Commander pod.

Time for a workout. Time to shed the bulk and stack on muscle.

I pulled out the red pen and put my deck through the ultimate gym session: swapping out the cards that were just hanging around eating chips for ones that actually do work.

What Got Cut (aka the Dead Weight)

Manalith / Darksteel Ingot – Slow, clunky, no synergy.
Commander's Sphere – Cute draw trick, but we can do better.
Fountain of Renewal – Gained me nothing but false hope.
Raise the Draugr / Disturbed Burial – Weaksauce recursion.
Carnage Altar – Overpriced gym membership, no gains.
Gravebane Zombie – Indestructible bulk, but not scary.
Deadly Tempest – More wipes than I need.
Urza Lands – No tutors, no point.
Elixir of Immortality – More like Elixir of Inefficiency.

What Got Added (aka the Muscle)

Crypt Ghast / Magus of the Coffers – Now we’re pumping mana like pre-workout.
Mind Stone / Worn Powerstone – Efficient, flexible ramp.
Zulaport Cutthroat – Another Blood Artist, double the drain.
Victimize / Disciple of Bolas – Recursion and card draw that actually matter.
Butcher of Malakir – Grave Pact with wings. Oh yes.
Spawning Pit – Sac outlet that fuels tokens, Skullclamp, and shenanigans.
Sudden Spoiling – Instant speed nightmare fuel.
Bojuka Bog / Myriad Landscape – Graveyard hate + real land ramp.
Mindcrank – Combo piece for the truly evil lift.

The Result

The new list feels leaner, meaner, and straight-up scarier. Now when Ob Nixilis hits the table, it’s not just “cute demon with a token.” It’s mana explosions, death drains, and sac chains leading into a deck that actually finishes games.

Think of it like Ob Nixilis hitting the gym: we cut the donuts, stacked on plates, and now he’s deadlifting entire pods with a grin that says, “You should have packed graveyard hate.”

Watch the Full Transformation

I did the whole swap live on YouTube—catch the video here: https://youtu.be/HgHb2cukgOU

And let me know in the comments:
👉 What’s the most “dead weight” card you’ve ever cut from a Commander deck?

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