Many highlight its balance of strategy and surprise, making it fun for both casual and competitive play
While it didnt end up quite like that, they still decided to include the mechanic as we currently know it
(It cant be the target of spells or abilities.) Illustrated by Chris Rahn Standard Not Legal Alchemy Not Legal Pioneer Not Legal Historic Not Legal Modern Legal Brawl Not Legal Legacy Legal Comp
For example, Blades of Velis Vel and Volatile Claws may look roughly equal to each other in a vacuum, but Blades having changeling means it costs 1 less thanks to The Ur-Dragon, can be tutored up with Sliver Overlord, and can be cast from the graveyard with Haakon, Stromgald Scourge, making it far superior
Playing a commander that's just a one or two time mana generating cruise missile probably isn't for everyone, but I can see some merit for hyper aggressive strategies that want to set up fast and hard on turns 3-4 for a really stupid midgame power spike