Ob Nixilis, the Adversary Unpainted Miniature: Assembly and Paint Notes

Quick answer

For a dramatic, low-prep centerpiece, pick the Ob Nixilis, the Adversary unpainted miniature. It arrives primed and ready to paint with deep cuts that simplify detail work. If you want a broader range of character and scenery options at the same price, Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures gives you more variety. Both work well for Magic: The Gathering miniatures for D&D when scale and basing are planned.

Ob Nixilis, the Adversary is a demon that commands attention on the table, and the unpainted miniature version lets you control exactly how that presence looks. This comparison breaks down what you get in the box, how assembly and scale compare to Nolzur's, and which paint colors sell the character.

You will also see where each option creates friction, from assembly time to basing choices, so you can pick the right unpainted miniature for your campaign or collection.

Assembly and prep: what to expect from each unpainted line

The Ob Nixilis, the Adversary unpainted miniature is designed for painters who want to start quickly. It comes primed and ready to paint out of the box, with deep cuts that make it easier to reach recessed areas without fighting the sculpt. Little to no assembly is required, so you can go from package to primer-free painting in one sitting.

Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures follow the same primed-and-ready approach. Products like the D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures - Female Elf Wizard and the D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Shifter Fighter include deep cuts for easier painting and clear packaging that shows exactly what you are getting. The trade-off is that some Nolzur's figures include optional parts or small assembly steps, while Ob Nixilis is more of a single-piece experience.

• Wash resin or plastic parts in lukewarm soapy water before painting, even when the figure is primed.
• Dry-fit any separate pieces before gluing, and keep a damp cloth handy for excess adhesive.

Scale and basing: will Ob Nixilis fit your D&D table?

Ob Nixilis is a demon, so he should feel larger than life. The unpainted miniature is scaled to match the standard tabletop size used across WizKids lines, which means he will stand alongside Nolzur's figures without looking out of place. If you already use D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Nimblewright Hulk or the D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures - Human Ranger & Moon Elf Sorcerer, the scale will feel consistent.

Basing is where you can push the drama. A 25mm or 1-inch base works for most humanoid figures, but Ob Nixilis often benefits from a slightly larger base or a scenic topper. Check your grid or movement tray before committing, and remember that a larger base can change how the figure fits in tight dungeon corridors.

• Measure your grid squares before basing; a 1-inch base fits standard D&D maps.
• Use a thin layer of texture paint or sand to blend the figure into the base.

Paint colors for Ob Nixilis: a practical palette

Ob Nixilis reads as a demon of ambition and fire, so start with a base of deep reds, charred browns, and black. For skin, a dark crimson or maroon base coat followed by a drybrush of brighter red or orange will create depth. Horns and claws benefit from bone or ivory tones with a brown wash to add age.

For the armor and metal details, use a dark metallic like leadbelcher or a bronze, then wash with a black or brown shade. If you want a magical glow, pick a bright orange or green for eyes and runes, and keep the rest of the palette muted so the glow stands out. Nolzur's figures like the Critical Role Unpainted Miniatures: Sphinx Male respond well to the same layering approach, so your techniques transfer between lines.

• Prime with a neutral gray or black if you plan to use dark base coats.
• Thin your paints and build up layers rather than applying one thick coat.

MTG unpainted miniatures vs Nolzur's: which should you buy?

If you want a specific Magic: The Gathering character and a quick paint job, the Ob Nixilis, the Adversary unpainted miniature is the clear pick. It is a focused purchase that gives you one dramatic figure with minimal prep. Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures, by contrast, offer a wide range of characters, monsters, and scenery, often at a similar price point, which makes them better for building a varied collection.

The trade-off is variety versus specificity. Nolzur's gives you more options per dollar and more ways to fill out a campaign, but you may spend more time choosing and assembling. Ob Nixilis gives you a single, iconic demon that is ready to paint and play, but it does not solve your need for a full roster of NPCs or monsters.

• Buy Ob Nixilis if you need a boss or centerpiece miniature for a specific encounter.
• Buy Nolzur's if you are building a library of characters and monsters for ongoing campaigns.

Trade-offs to weigh before you buy

• Specificity vs variety: Ob Nixilis gives you one iconic demon, while Nolzur's offers a wide range of characters and monsters at a similar price. Choose Ob Nixilis for a focused centerpiece; choose Nolzur's to build a versatile collection.
• Prep time vs assembly options: Ob Nixilis requires little to no assembly, while some Nolzur's figures include optional parts or small assembly steps. If you want to paint immediately, Ob Nixilis is faster; if you enjoy customizing poses, Nolzur's offers more flexibility.
• Scale consistency: Both lines are scaled to match standard tabletop sizes, so they mix well on the same grid. You can safely combine Ob Nixilis with Nolzur's figures in the same campaign without scale clashes.

Product facts

• D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures - Female Elf Wizard: Comes with highly detailed figures, primed and ready to paint out of the box, with deep cuts for easier painting and clear packaging. You can start painting immediately without priming, and the deep cuts help you reach recessed areas for cleaner results.
• D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Nimblewright Hulk: Created from a mixture of wood, metal, magic, and clockwork, Nimblewright Hulks are far more dangerous than their looming frames suggest. This shows the range of Nolzur's line beyond classic fantasy characters, giving you options for construct-themed encounters.
• WizKids Deep Cuts - Fountain: WizKids Deep Cuts come with highly detailed figures, primed and ready to paint out of the box, with little to no assembly required. Scenery pieces like this let you build immersive tablescapes without a lot of prep time.
• Critical Role Unpainted Miniatures: Sphinx Male: Critical Role Unpainted Miniatures come with highly detailed figures, primed and ready to paint out of the box, with deep cuts for easier painting. If you paint Ob Nixilis, the same techniques and tools work on this line, so your skills carry over between projects.

Who should buy which

Best for

• Players who need a dramatic demon boss or centerpiece for a specific encounter.
• Painters who want a quick, low-assembly project with clear deep cuts for detail work.

Not for

• Shoppers who need a wide variety of characters and monsters for ongoing campaigns; choose Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures instead.
• Collectors who prefer pre-painted figures and do not want to paint or assemble anything.

Ob Nixilis, the Adversary unpainted miniature is a strong pick when you want one impressive, ready-to-paint demon without a lot of prep. If you need a broader set of characters and scenery, Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures gives you more options per purchase. Match the choice to your project and your painting time, and either way you will have a figure that earns its place on the table.