balance mtg card Leonardo, the Players discard cards and sacrifice creatures the same way. Balance Price | mtg

And I think that pretty much gives away the reason lock cards arent treated as just another answer by the player base

From efficient removal like Withering Curse to build-around engines and iconic Elder Dragons, theres no shortage of impactful cards that players will be exploring in the weeks and months ahead

Pact Boon Whenever you play a card from exile, create a Treasure token

In its 30 years, over 20,000 cards have been published across more than 100 sets, and more are being released all the time

You cannot clamp away your mana elves if they are the only thing giving you extra mana (unless you have gone so late game you also naturally have like 7 manas worth of lands