The biggest appeal of Machop, Machoke, and Machamp ex is the fact that each card is pretty much good to go and deliver attacks on the very first turn they are summoned into battle, as Machop only needs one Energy, Machoke needs two (and will likely already have at least one from Machop), and Machamp ex only needs three (and will likely already have at least two from Machoke)
It doesn't matter how many times the chosen letter appears in the creature's name as long as it appears at least once
Sure it's not as durable and can't give +1/+1 counters to enchantments, but it has lifelink itself, and costs one less to activate, along with a cool party payoff
I love the apocalyptic tone of this card- even if you havent had this card played on you umptyjillion times, you know you are in deep lion dung when your opponents slaps it down
For similar reasons, other card games like Keyforge that dont have deck building aspects or booster packs cant be considered TCGs
Its an appropriately mysterious piece given the cards effect, which lies decidedly outwith the usual Magic effects wheelhouse, but it also feels quite generic at the same time
