Portal to Phyrexia Id say 9 mana is a lot, but no one running Portal to Phyrexia is trying to hardcast this card
But the flavor really helps you with this because, Oh, it makes sense that a samurai katana would have a hero that comes with it and is holding the katana. That doesnt mean the design process was seamless
Giving all your dragons indestructible means you can swing and block without fear, and the bonus of stacking +1/+1 counters every upkeep quickly snowballs, all on top of a potential alternate win condition
Ghost-type specialists have served as some of the most memorable boss fights in the history of the Pokmon video games
One mana turns into two the first turn you bring it into play, and then you just get two colorless mana every turn thereafter
You need to add that extra color for little birdies and monstrous Hydras to go to school, I guess