While inefficient at four mana before increasing X, the lifegain is a nice way to counteract the decks many cards which require life as an additional cost
Yeah, LSV is one of those players it is really hard to disagree with
There are a few good and expensive ones, like Nyxborn Behemoth, Arvinox, the Mind Flail (AKA Mind Flayer, the Shadow), and Athreos, Shroud-Veiled
Most of where you see it getting used in cube these days is in combo decks where a sacrifice outlet is required or there are loads of graveyard synergies going on
This card deserves recognition as the foundational Red leader that helped define aggressive strategies in the One Piece TCG
Elsewhere in Lorwyn, nestled in a faerie ring, the coos of a small giant turned to cries