First, it could be a huge mana ramp for the casting player , as you'll be able to attack the turn it comes into play and then tap all your land for double mana at the cost of that much damage
Earthshaker Dreadmaw Earthshaker Dreadmaw is a strictly better Colossal Dreadmaw, being able to draw some cards on a board full of dinosaurs
Swords to Plowshares on a creature is just amazing, especially in the color with flicker effects
While players cant damage each other directly, they can attack their opponents characters in order to slow their acquisition of lore (needed to win the game) and remove powerful effects from the field
It's a huge swing to steal someone's extra draw when given the opportunity, putting them down expected cards and you up cards
Anytime you cast an artifact spell while you have max speed, you can pay one genetic mana to copy it