The downtick is very powerful, but the loyalty equations make all the difference and lead to an intricate subgame
These various cardstocks are not produced by WotC or the printing facility, but specifically by a paper manufacturer
As for the main drawback of MDFCs (coming into play tapped), it is a concern, but not a huge one
So, while $150 for an experience is vastly less than one would pay if playing real competitive Magic, its still quite a lot compared to a random board game, where $150 is going to get you a massive box of plastic figures for some 6-hour epic space game, plus a new deck-building game, plus some old Silverline game from FFG
The Core Mechanics to Look For: Rule-Setting: Many white Auras in MTG act as tax effects, making it expensive for opponents to attack you or cast spells
Talisman of Creativity The idea to turn The Doctors various quirky accessories into mana rock reprints is brilliant