MTG Salvation

This is almost exactly the same deck as my Kokusho, the Value Star deck in my sig. I've revisited it because I only just noticed how crazy Ob Nixilis, Shackled is. With just a simple commander swap, the power level of this deck jumped several points.

The List


http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/ob-nixilis-value-unshackled/

Description
This is a modification of my Kokusho, the Evening Star deck. Originally, this deck's intent was to net as much value from as many plays as possible. With a huge focus on synergy and card advantage it could make some pretty insane plays, but generally would fall to the wayside in a more competitive setting.

Enter Ob Nixilis, Unshackled.

First of all, this guy is insane. Competitive metas are loaded with tutors. Voltron decks just can't function in the face of his first ability. Yes, players can just not tutor while he's on the field, but that means opposing gameplans are pushed back by several turns while everyone waits for Ob to die or to draw into their win conditions.

Secondly, his second ability fits right in with exactly how this deck was already built. Making 1/1s and sacrificing them for value is what this deck already wants to be doing every turn. Now those 1/1s net additional value while also giving me another avenue to win the game. The deck was already abusing cards like Skullclamp and Blood Artist , now those effects contribute to 21 commander damage as well (on my evasive, trampling Demon).

The main differences between this version and Kokusho are Hatred and Lightning Greaves. Kokusho had a focus on slow-looping him because that's the only way he could possibly deal enough damage in the course of a game. Ob Nixilis is a commander you want to come out of the gates swinging. With some mana rocks and a well played Decree of Pain he can kill players with blistering speed. Hatred allows him to kill the turn immediately after I cast him.

Kokusho is probably good enough to play in the deck. Having the ability to slow-loop him still provides valuable life to fuel Bitterblossom, Necropotence, and similar effects. I'm thinking Myojin of Night's Reach, Liliana of the Veil, Living Death, and Whip of Erebos are the cuts I need to make from the original deck.

Myojin, while having an impressive effect, is stunningly slow. Not being able to Reanimate it with the Divinity Counter is a huge bummer and cards like Sadistic Hypnotist and Mind Slash do a pretty good job of tearing apart hands.

Liliana has a lot of great functions, but I'm thinking she may be a little too low-impact and the potential to fuel opponents' graveyard shenanigans is a real drawback.

Living Death isn't so great in this deck since it will mostly bring back value. I can get some engines back on the board while my opponents are getting combo pieces back.

Whip provides valuable, incidental life gain while also allowing me to net extra value from pretty much everything. The problem is exiling the creatures after.

These seems like the weakest cards to me, but I could always use more opinions. I'd also like any suggestions for how to make this deck better. Originally, this was my pet deck. With the printing of Ob Nixilis, Unshackeled I think this is now the most explosive deck I have sleeved. It nets insane value all the time while setting my opponents way further back than I anticipated.

I've also added Helm of Obedience . While it's a little cheesy, it's a pretty effective way to win a game in a hurry. Voltaic Key may be good enough to play here now, but I'm not totally convinced and I'd need another cut.

Let's see if we can kick this deck up another notch.

PS: Don't suggest Maralen of the Mornsong. Allowing all my opponents to tutor is not worth the life Ob deals to them.

I need a cut for Contamination. I'd also like constructive criticism/suggestions.