App icon for MTG Life Counter: Lotus
MTG Life Counter: Lotus Track life and commander damage for up to 10 players
Launch

Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor
Price tag $0.65

Legendary Creature — Octopus Noble

Magic color symbol for U
Mono-Blue

Playstyle & Strategy

Cephalids 24% Octopi 16% Sea Creatures 15% Control 13% Flying 5% Combo 4% Tap / Untap 4% Stax 3% Mill 2% Pillow Fort 2%

How it feels to play against

Mildly Annoying Some frustrating moments but still fun.

Popularity

Decent Pick Moderately popular, encounter occasionally.

Ranking

#2040 Current Rank
#2392 Last Week
#2054 Last Month

Links & Decks

EDH Combo Search Engine icon Mono-Blue Combos Odyssey Set Icon Debut Set Moxfield Logo Decks on Moxfield Archidekt Logo Decks on Archidekt Scryfall Logo Scryfall Cardmarket Logo Cardmarket

Videos

Commander gameplay videos featuring Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor.

#TeamSeas Ocean Week | Commander Clash S11E18

#TeamSeas Ocean Week | Commander Clash S11E18

New Cards

Fresh cards from recent sets that players are experimenting with in Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor decks.

Mechanozoa Mechanozoa
+4% Synergy $0.03
Illvoi Galeblade Illvoi Galeblade
+3% Synergy $0.08
Starwinder Starwinder
+1% Synergy $0.90
Mental Modulation Mental Modulation
+1% Synergy $0.07
Scour for Scrap Scour for Scrap
-5% Synergy $0.26

High Synergy Cards

Cards that work exceptionally well with Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor's abilities and overall game plan.

Llawan, Cephalid Empress Llawan, Cephalid Empress
+77% Synergy $0.97
Cephalid Constable Cephalid Constable
+74% Synergy $7.48
Verity Circle Verity Circle
+74% Synergy $0.47
Cephalid Looter Cephalid Looter
+73% Synergy $0.14
Callous Oppressor Callous Oppressor
+73% Synergy $1.52
Cephalid Broker Cephalid Broker
+70% Synergy $0.18
Cephalid Retainer Cephalid Retainer
+68% Synergy $0.20
Theft of Dreams Theft of Dreams
+66% Synergy $0.28
Borrowing 100,000 Arrows Borrowing 100,000 Arrows
+65% Synergy $0.30
Cephalid Facetaker Cephalid Facetaker
+63% Synergy $3.85

Top Cards

The most popular and reliable cards that form the backbone of successful Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor decks.

Cephalid Pathmage Cephalid Pathmage
+61% Synergy $0.14
Cephalid Scout Cephalid Scout
+59% Synergy $0.10
Cephalid Illusionist Cephalid Illusionist
+56% Synergy $2.02
Cephalid Sage Cephalid Sage
+56% Synergy $0.05
Willbreaker Willbreaker
+56% Synergy $1.26
Archetype of Imagination Archetype of Imagination
+55% Synergy $0.58
Wonder Wonder
+51% Synergy $1.54
Kefnet's Monument Kefnet's Monument
+50% Synergy $0.34
High Tide High Tide
+16% Synergy $1.22
Counterspell Counterspell
+1% Synergy $1.25

Game Changers

Powerful cards that can single-handedly turn the tide of a game when resolved.

Thassa's Oracle Thassa's Oracle
+2% Synergy $19.02
Ancient Tomb Ancient Tomb
0% Synergy $95.44
Consecrated Sphinx Consecrated Sphinx
-1% Synergy $35.46
Cyclonic Rift Cyclonic Rift
-2% Synergy $46.53
Rhystic Study Rhystic Study
-3% Synergy $49.29
Force of Will Force of Will
-5% Synergy $61.91
Mana Vault Mana Vault
-5% Synergy $77.64
Fierce Guardianship Fierce Guardianship
-9% Synergy $42.02
Mystical Tutor Mystical Tutor
-10% Synergy $15.45

Creatures

Essential creatures that complement Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor's strategy through synergy, utility, or raw power.

Shield Broker Shield Broker
+56% Synergy $0.15
Omen Hawker Omen Hawker
+53% Synergy $0.16
Cephalid Inkshrouder Cephalid Inkshrouder
+53% Synergy $0.36
Cephalid Snitch Cephalid Snitch
+41% Synergy $0.06
Mothdust Changeling Mothdust Changeling
+38% Synergy $0.96
Cephalid Vandal Cephalid Vandal
+38% Synergy $0.33
Psychic Pickpocket Psychic Pickpocket
+37% Synergy $0.03
Cephalid Aristocrat Cephalid Aristocrat
+36% Synergy $0.11
Cephalid Inkmage Cephalid Inkmage
+35% Synergy $0.04
Universal Automaton Universal Automaton
+32% Synergy $0.58
Amoeboid Changeling Amoeboid Changeling
+32% Synergy $0.96
Caelorna, Coral Tyrant Caelorna, Coral Tyrant
+32% Synergy $0.11
Backstreet Bruiser Backstreet Bruiser
+27% Synergy $0.04
Ultros, Obnoxious Octopus Ultros, Obnoxious Octopus
+25% Synergy $0.10
Shapesharer Shapesharer
+24% Synergy $6.01
Stormtide Leviathan Stormtide Leviathan
+20% Synergy $0.58
Unctus, Grand Metatect Unctus, Grand Metatect
+20% Synergy $0.28
Elder Deep-Fiend Elder Deep-Fiend
+20% Synergy $0.13
Lorthos, the Tidemaker Lorthos, the Tidemaker
+19% Synergy $0.36
Acquisition Octopus Acquisition Octopus
+19% Synergy $0.06
Adaptive Automaton Adaptive Automaton
+18% Synergy $1.02
Metallic Mimic Metallic Mimic
+18% Synergy $2.22
Sea-Dasher Octopus Sea-Dasher Octopus
+18% Synergy $0.61
Icewrought Sentry Icewrought Sentry
+18% Synergy $0.07
Defiler of Dreams Defiler of Dreams
+15% Synergy $0.28
Mesmerizing Benthid Mesmerizing Benthid
+15% Synergy $0.61
Keen Buccaneer Keen Buccaneer
+14% Synergy $0.04
Bloodline Pretender Bloodline Pretender
+13% Synergy $1.43
Tidal Terror Tidal Terror
+13% Synergy $0.07
Illithid Harvester Illithid Harvester
+12% Synergy $0.23
Bubble Smuggler Bubble Smuggler
+12% Synergy $0.06
Drift of Phantasms Drift of Phantasms
+10% Synergy $0.25
Floodgate Floodgate
+10% Synergy $0.05
Fallowsage Fallowsage
+10% Synergy $0.12
Octavia, Living Thesis Octavia, Living Thesis
+9% Synergy $0.38
Spawning Kraken Spawning Kraken
+9% Synergy $13.38
Octoprophet Octoprophet
+9% Synergy $0.07
Gadwick, the Wizened Gadwick, the Wizened
+8% Synergy $0.53
Scaretiller Scaretiller
+7% Synergy $0.12
Scourge of Fleets Scourge of Fleets
+4% Synergy $0.47
Glasspool Mimic Glasspool Shore Glasspool Mimic
+4% Synergy $4.11
Nadir Kraken Nadir Kraken
+2% Synergy $0.16
Clever Impersonator Clever Impersonator
+2% Synergy $2.55
Nezahal, Primal Tide Nezahal, Primal Tide
+1% Synergy $6.86
Laboratory Maniac Laboratory Maniac
0% Synergy $0.85
Eluge, the Shoreless Sea Eluge, the Shoreless Sea
0% Synergy $2.16
Solemn Simulacrum Solemn Simulacrum
-3% Synergy $0.25
Phyrexian Metamorph Phyrexian Metamorph
-3% Synergy $2.47
Chasm Skulker Chasm Skulker
-4% Synergy $0.71
Hullbreaker Horror Hullbreaker Horror
-15% Synergy $3.54

Instants

Key instant-speed responses for protection, removal, and keeping Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor safe.

Dramatic Reversal Dramatic Reversal
+23% Synergy $13.39
Deluge Deluge
+23% Synergy $0.38
Blustersquall Blustersquall
+14% Synergy $0.45
Turnabout Turnabout
+11% Synergy $0.18
Engulf the Shore Engulf the Shore
+10% Synergy $6.51
Keep Watch Keep Watch
+8% Synergy $1.32
Cryptic Command Cryptic Command
+7% Synergy $7.45
Capsize Capsize
+4% Synergy $1.22
Reality Shift Reality Shift
+3% Synergy $0.25
Aetherize Aetherize
+3% Synergy $0.45
Long-Term Plans Long-Term Plans
+2% Synergy $3.51
Negate Negate
+1% Synergy $0.26
Rapid Hybridization Rapid Hybridization
+1% Synergy $1.38
Fact or Fiction Fact or Fiction
+1% Synergy $0.17
Aetherspouts Aetherspouts
0% Synergy $0.50
Jwari Disruption Jwari Ruins Jwari Disruption
0% Synergy $0.38
Dig Through Time Dig Through Time
-1% Synergy $0.27
Evacuation Evacuation
-2% Synergy $0.14
Unwind Unwind
-3% Synergy $1.02
Blue Sun's Zenith Blue Sun's Zenith
-4% Synergy $1.39
Pull from Tomorrow Pull from Tomorrow
-4% Synergy $0.18
Flow of Knowledge Flow of Knowledge
-5% Synergy $0.25
Rewind Rewind
-5% Synergy $0.38
Pact of Negation Pact of Negation
-5% Synergy $14.92
Mystic Confluence Mystic Confluence
-5% Synergy $0.44
Mana Drain Mana Drain
-6% Synergy $44.85
Resculpt Resculpt
-6% Synergy $0.28
Muddle the Mixture Muddle the Mixture
-6% Synergy $1.83
Force of Negation Force of Negation
-6% Synergy $51.18
Pongify Pongify
-7% Synergy $2.22
Archmage's Charm Archmage's Charm
-7% Synergy $1.18
Arcane Denial Arcane Denial
-8% Synergy $1.82
Swan Song Swan Song
-8% Synergy $8.03
Sink into Stupor Soporific Springs Sink into Stupor
-11% Synergy $7.87
Snap Snap
-12% Synergy $2.17
An Offer You Can't Refuse An Offer You Can't Refuse
-14% Synergy $1.45
Brainstorm Brainstorm
-15% Synergy $1.34
Frantic Search Frantic Search
-16% Synergy $0.44
Opt Opt
-19% Synergy $0.14

Sorceries

Important sorcery spells that advance Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor's game plan and control the board.

Whelming Wave Whelming Wave
+24% Synergy $0.61
Deep Analysis Deep Analysis
+22% Synergy $0.10
Sleep Sleep
+14% Synergy $0.14
Energy Tap Energy Tap
+13% Synergy $0.32
Curse of the Swine Curse of the Swine
+11% Synergy $0.21
Wash Out Wash Out
+9% Synergy $0.30
Ravenform Ravenform
+7% Synergy $0.15
Distant Melody Distant Melody
+7% Synergy $0.51
Consuming Tide Consuming Tide
+6% Synergy $0.43
Crush of Tentacles Crush of Tentacles
+6% Synergy $0.95
Inundate Inundate
+5% Synergy $9.65
Spectral Deluge Spectral Deluge
0% Synergy $2.81
Rite of Replication Rite of Replication
-1% Synergy $0.17
Treasure Cruise Treasure Cruise
-2% Synergy $0.22
Sea Gate Restoration Sea Gate, Reborn Sea Gate Restoration
-6% Synergy $33.64
Ponder Ponder
-8% Synergy $1.33
Fabricate Fabricate
-8% Synergy $8.55
Preordain Preordain
-13% Synergy $0.61
Windfall Windfall
-13% Synergy $4.82

Utility Artifacts

Versatile artifacts that provide ongoing value, card selection, or strategic advantages.

Hylda's Crown of Winter Hylda's Crown of Winter
+40% Synergy $0.28
Maskwood Nexus Maskwood Nexus
+34% Synergy $1.60
Wayfarer's Bauble Wayfarer's Bauble
+13% Synergy $0.26
Birthing Boughs Birthing Boughs
+12% Synergy $0.22
Winter Orb Winter Orb
+11% Synergy $9.37
Riptide Replicator Riptide Replicator
+9% Synergy $1.79
Static Orb Static Orb
+8% Synergy $16.74
Storage Matrix Storage Matrix
+8% Synergy $1.85
Mjölnir, Storm Hammer Mjölnir, Storm Hammer
+7% Synergy $1.82
Lightning Greaves Lightning Greaves
+6% Synergy $4.54
Vedalken Shackles Vedalken Shackles
+5% Synergy $5.31
Urza's Incubator Urza's Incubator
+5% Synergy $12.39
Bident of Thassa Bident of Thassa
+4% Synergy $0.29
Howling Mine Howling Mine
+4% Synergy $4.70
Sword of the Animist Sword of the Animist
+4% Synergy $5.28
Herald's Horn Herald's Horn
+3% Synergy $3.27
Sapphire Medallion Sapphire Medallion
+1% Synergy $3.78
Isochron Scepter Isochron Scepter
-7% Synergy $17.19
Swiftfoot Boots Swiftfoot Boots
-10% Synergy $1.32

Enchantments

Powerful enchantments that support Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor's strategy and create lasting battlefield effects.

Dismiss into Dream Dismiss into Dream
+49% Synergy $0.80
Betrayal Betrayal
+44% Synergy $0.23
Aboshan's Desire Aboshan's Desire
+42% Synergy $0.19
Levitation Levitation
+40% Synergy $0.28
Reflections of Littjara Reflections of Littjara
+31% Synergy $1.29
Cowardice Cowardice
+27% Synergy $0.49
Opposition Opposition
+27% Synergy $0.66
Lost in the Maze Lost in the Maze
+24% Synergy $0.18
Time of Ice Time of Ice
+19% Synergy $0.14
Arcane Adaptation Arcane Adaptation
+13% Synergy $1.65
Frozen Aether Frozen Aether
+12% Synergy $1.33
Scroll of Isildur Scroll of Isildur
+12% Synergy $0.31
Think Tank Think Tank
+11% Synergy $0.27
Kindred Discovery Kindred Discovery
+9% Synergy $3.86
Faces of the Past Faces of the Past
+9% Synergy $1.63
Flood Flood
+9% Synergy $0.23
Web of Inertia Web of Inertia
+9% Synergy $0.67
Leyline of Transformation Leyline of Transformation
+8% Synergy $0.40
Retreat to Coralhelm Retreat to Coralhelm
+7% Synergy $0.43
Immobilizing Ink Immobilizing Ink
+7% Synergy $0.08
Temporal Distortion Temporal Distortion
+6% Synergy $0.42
Quest for Ula's Temple Quest for Ula's Temple
+5% Synergy $3.68
Pemmin's Aura Pemmin's Aura
+4% Synergy $12.40
Imprisoned in the Moon Imprisoned in the Moon
+3% Synergy $0.16
Propaganda Propaganda
+2% Synergy $2.35
Unstoppable Plan Unstoppable Plan
+2% Synergy $2.51
Freed from the Real Freed from the Real
+2% Synergy $11.77
Back to Basics Back to Basics
+1% Synergy $5.59
Reconnaissance Mission Reconnaissance Mission
0% Synergy $1.09
Mystic Remora Mystic Remora
-4% Synergy $8.45
Leyline of Anticipation Leyline of Anticipation
-4% Synergy $3.33
Wizard Class Wizard Class
-10% Synergy $1.34

Planeswalkers

Planeswalkers that work alongside Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor to provide ongoing value and board presence.

Tamiyo, the Moon Sage Tamiyo, the Moon Sage
+30% Synergy $4.20
Jace, Wielder of Mysteries Jace, Wielder of Mysteries
-6% Synergy $6.72

Utility Lands

Non-basic lands that offer additional utility beyond just mana production.

Cephalid Coliseum Cephalid Coliseum
+39% Synergy $0.19
Arcane Lighthouse Arcane Lighthouse
+22% Synergy $9.12
Castle Vantress Castle Vantress
+13% Synergy $0.24
Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
+13% Synergy $35.89
Coral Atoll Coral Atoll
+12% Synergy $0.53
Skyline Cascade Skyline Cascade
+11% Synergy $0.07
Lonely Sandbar Lonely Sandbar
+9% Synergy $0.09
Detection Tower Detection Tower
+8% Synergy $1.80
Minamo, School at Water's Edge Minamo, School at Water's Edge
+7% Synergy $49.50
Mutavault Mutavault
+7% Synergy $4.33
Halimar Depths Halimar Depths
+6% Synergy $0.37
Temple of the False God Temple of the False God
+5% Synergy $0.15
Terrain Generator Terrain Generator
+4% Synergy $2.98
Scavenger Grounds Scavenger Grounds
+3% Synergy $0.40
Remote Isle Remote Isle
+3% Synergy $0.13
Command Beacon Command Beacon
+3% Synergy $5.76
Hall of Storm Giants Hall of Storm Giants
+3% Synergy $0.48
Ghost Quarter Ghost Quarter
+3% Synergy $0.64
Mystic Sanctuary Mystic Sanctuary
+2% Synergy $1.39
Three Tree City Three Tree City
+2% Synergy $19.49
Maze of Ith Maze of Ith
+1% Synergy $7.45
Reliquary Tower Reliquary Tower
0% Synergy $2.59
Tolaria West Tolaria West
-1% Synergy $1.15
War Room War Room
-3% Synergy $2.85
Riptide Laboratory Riptide Laboratory
-3% Synergy $0.45
Rivendell Rivendell
-5% Synergy $1.04
Inventors' Fair Inventors' Fair
-6% Synergy $10.32
Academy Ruins Academy Ruins
-8% Synergy $10.78
Rogue's Passage Rogue's Passage
-8% Synergy $0.32
Otawara, Soaring City Otawara, Soaring City
-10% Synergy $18.65

Mana Artifacts

Artifacts focused on mana acceleration and color fixing for consistent gameplay.

Sky Diamond Sky Diamond
+21% Synergy $0.17
Caged Sun Caged Sun
+17% Synergy $3.60
Patchwork Banner Patchwork Banner
+11% Synergy $4.22
Nyx Lotus Nyx Lotus
+10% Synergy $4.92
Worn Powerstone Worn Powerstone
+7% Synergy $0.20
Midnight Clock Midnight Clock
+5% Synergy $0.38
Decanter of Endless Water Decanter of Endless Water
+5% Synergy $2.88
Extraplanar Lens Extraplanar Lens
+3% Synergy $8.02
Machine God's Effigy Machine God's Effigy
+3% Synergy $4.32
Heraldic Banner Heraldic Banner
+2% Synergy $0.23
Arcane Signet Arcane Signet
+1% Synergy $0.52
Hedron Archive Hedron Archive
+1% Synergy $0.28
Gauntlet of Power Gauntlet of Power
+1% Synergy $4.19
Mind Stone Mind Stone
0% Synergy $0.21
Thran Dynamo Thran Dynamo
0% Synergy $2.70
Mana Crypt Mana Crypt
0% Synergy $39.82
Thought Vessel Thought Vessel
-1% Synergy $1.15
Gilded Lotus Gilded Lotus
-2% Synergy $1.13
Commander's Sphere Commander's Sphere
-3% Synergy $0.17
Throne of Eldraine Throne of Eldraine
-3% Synergy $20.12
Sol Ring Sol Ring
-6% Synergy $1.24
Fellwar Stone Fellwar Stone
-6% Synergy $1.34

Lands

The mana base foundation for Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor decks, ensuring smooth and reliable mana development.

Path of Ancestry Path of Ancestry
+19% Synergy $0.15
Myriad Landscape Myriad Landscape
+8% Synergy $0.21
Cavern of Souls Cavern of Souls
+7% Synergy $34.92
Snow-Covered Island Snow-Covered Island
+4% Synergy $0.80
Glasspool Mimic Glasspool Shore Glasspool Mimic
+4% Synergy $4.11
Jwari Disruption Jwari Ruins Jwari Disruption
0% Synergy $0.38
Island Island
-5% Synergy $0.04
Sea Gate Restoration Sea Gate, Reborn Sea Gate Restoration
-6% Synergy $33.64
Sink into Stupor Soporific Springs Sink into Stupor
-11% Synergy $7.87

Similar Commanders

The following Commanders share a similar playing style, strategy, or theme like Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor.

Keiga, the Tide Star Keiga, the Tide Star
Thassa, Deep-Dwelling Thassa, Deep-Dwelling
Unesh, Criosphinx Sovereign Unesh, Criosphinx Sovereign
Emry, Lurker of the Loch Emry, Lurker of the Loch
Esior, Wardwing Familiar Ghost of Ramirez DePietro Esior, Wardwing Familiar // Ghost of Ramirez DePietro
Esior, Wardwing Familiar Glacian, Powerstone Engineer Esior, Wardwing Familiar // Glacian, Powerstone Engineer
Esior, Wardwing Familiar Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator Esior, Wardwing Familiar // Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator
Esior, Wardwing Familiar Sakashima of a Thousand Faces Esior, Wardwing Familiar // Sakashima of a Thousand Faces
Esior, Wardwing Familiar Siani, Eye of the Storm Esior, Wardwing Familiar // Siani, Eye of the Storm
Esior, Wardwing Familiar The Prismatic Piper Esior, Wardwing Familiar // The Prismatic Piper
Maeve, Insidious Singer Maeve, Insidious Singer
Patron of the Moon Patron of the Moon
Eluge, the Shoreless Sea Eluge, the Shoreless Sea
Padeem, Consul of Innovation Padeem, Consul of Innovation
Atemsis, All-Seeing Atemsis, All-Seeing
Braids, Conjurer Adept Braids, Conjurer Adept
Gadwick, the Wizened Gadwick, the Wizened
Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus
Nezahal, Primal Tide Nezahal, Primal Tide
Talrand, Sky Summoner Talrand, Sky Summoner
The Reality Chip The Reality Chip
Azami, Lady of Scrolls Azami, Lady of Scrolls
Jace, Vryn's Prodigy Jace, Vryn's Prodigy
Cloudhoof Kirin Cloudhoof Kirin
Rose Noble Rose Noble
Slinn Voda, the Rising Deep Slinn Voda, the Rising Deep
Ioreth of the Healing House Ioreth of the Healing House
Octavia, Living Thesis Octavia, Living Thesis
Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive
Barrin, Tolarian Archmage Barrin, Tolarian Archmage
Geralf, Visionary Stitcher Geralf, Visionary Stitcher
Ixidor, Reality Sculptor Ixidor, Reality Sculptor
Kopala, Warden of Waves Kopala, Warden of Waves
Volo, Itinerant Scholar Candlekeep Sage Volo, Itinerant Scholar // Candlekeep Sage
Volo, Itinerant Scholar Clan Crafter Volo, Itinerant Scholar // Clan Crafter
Volo, Itinerant Scholar Dungeon Delver Volo, Itinerant Scholar // Dungeon Delver
Volo, Itinerant Scholar Faceless One Volo, Itinerant Scholar // Faceless One
Volo, Itinerant Scholar Feywild Visitor Volo, Itinerant Scholar // Feywild Visitor
Volo, Itinerant Scholar Shameless Charlatan Volo, Itinerant Scholar // Shameless Charlatan