Players can't take actions between the time the creature is randomly chosen and the time at which the rest of the effects occur
There are a lot of other directions Im sure you can hunt down
Targeting the opponent can be upside in some spots, but a liability in others, and on the whole, Id call it a wash
Liliana's Standard Bearer
You ideally dont play this grumpy Gruul card unless youre drawing three or four cards, but you could do worse than a 5/5 Exploration
We also have plenty of lands that can ping us for damage to score extra Blood from our commander: Leechridden SwampLeechridden Swamp, Ifnir DeadlandsIfnir Deadlands, Ramunap RuinsRamunap Ruins, City of BrassCity of Brass, Mana ConfluenceMana Confluence, and Voldaren EstateVoldaren Estate