Most alternative MTG counterspells offer variations on the theme being better in certain aspects and worse in others but Mana Drain is a strict upgrade
For example, Nasty Little Rabbit is a simple but reliable payoff for a green Draft theme that cares about creatures with at least four power, coming down early and then eventually growing bigger to stay relevant as you move into the middle of a match
If a board stalls out in some midrange mirror, I honestly consider it ending with a card like this often preferable to the game going on for another 30 minutes
Zask, Skittering Swarmlord does a ton of great things for us, but I'm particularly fond of the pump effect
Its powerful Brave Blade attack that does 230 damage for 3 Metal Energy ensured that Zacian V quickly became one of the strongest Pokmon in the game and the primary partner of the popular Arceus & Dialga & Palkia- GX
Its this aspect that feels like a love letter to Magic: The Gathering
