Thanks to flash and its ETB trigger, you can easily surprise an enemy with this sword
Its a big hurdle placed in the opponents path, and the time it takes them to get over it is time you can spend catching up or winning the game yourself

Synthoids Aang and La, Ocean's Fury Aang, Air Nomad Aang, Airbending Master Aang, Destined Savior Aang, Master of Elements Aang, Swift Savior Aang, the Last Airbender Aarakocra Sneak Aardvark Sloth Abaddon the Despoiler Abattoir Ghoul Abbey Gargoyles Abbey Griffin Abbey Matron Abbot of Keral Keep Abdel Adrian, Gorion's Ward Aberrant Mind Sorcerer Aberrant Researcher Abhorrent Oculus Abhorrent Overlord Abigale, Eloquent First-Year Abigale, Poet Laureate Aboleth Spawn Abolisher of Bloodlines Abomination Abomination, World Ravager Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor Absolute Virtue Absolver Thrull Absolving Lammasu Abstract Iguanart Abstract Paintmage Abstruse Archaic Abu Ja'far Abuelo, Ancestral Echo Abuna Acolyte Abundant Maw Abyssal Gatekeeper Abyssal Gorestalker Abyssal Harvester Abyssal Horror Abyssal Hunter Abyssal Nightstalker Abyssal Nocturnus Abyssal Persecutor Abyssal Specter Abzan Battle Priest Abzan Devotee Abzan Falconer Abzan Skycaptain Academy Drake Academy Elite Academy Journeymage Academy Loremaster Academy Manufactor Academy Raider Academy Rector Academy Researchers Academy Wall Acclaimed Contender Accomplished Automaton Accorder Paladin Accursed Centaur Accursed Horde Accursed Marauder Accursed Spirit Accursed Witch

Faithless Looting is probably the best enabler for madness and discard decks, appearing across the spectrum of burn decks and Sneaky Snacker decks as a powerful advantage-generating tool
A lot has been done to try and reduce the problematic elements of Partner commanders
Smugglers Copter was targeted for being so pushed that it was impacting the diversity of the format