Activated abilities require a cost to use
For example, Sarkhan, the Dragonspeakers first loyalty ability turns it into a dragon until the end of the turn
Trading in 3 mana (2 to activate and the opportunity cost of tapping Fountainport for colorless) and a token for one card isnt the most efficient sac-for-card trade that there is, but youre paying a tax for the modality of all the other abilities and the fact that its a land, not a creature or something
This 6/6 flying creature with trample can bulldoze over many flying creatures, and at five mana it comes down very early in a game
given that Enchanted cards are always the most sought after and valuable cards in a set (due not just to their gorgeous, full art look and beautiful textured finish, but their booster pack pull rate too), youll again see the constrast in styles just by taking a look at the most valuable cards
Press for Answers | Illustration by Steve Prescott The List is a rotating list of cards that can be opened in certain booster packs