When sources cite roughly 29,000 cards, they mean distinct card names where each reprint of a card like Lightning Bolt counts only once
Avatar: The Last Airbender I put play booster packs of Avatar: The Last Airbender into my family's hands because this set is full of fun references to the show, and is a great Magic set period
You can use creature tokens to help you cast convoke or improvise spells, populate abilities need tokens to function, and you must explicitly sacrifice a token to fulfill the requirement for a bargain spell
Of course, its not without its downsides
Artificer wont help you to create some grandiose new card design that requires card frame manipulation or anything like that, but its a totally functional and easy way to put rules text on a card and slap some of the key Magic elements on it
Are the Unsanctioned Dice-Rolling Cards Legal