Level 5 or lower monsters cannot attack
Similarly, phasing in wont cause any enters the battlefield abilities to trigger
Cards like Black Market Connections offer players the choice to draw a card, create a Treasure token, or make a creature, providing far more utility for a similar life payment.
Its stronger, however, because of two things: The infamous combination of Strip Mine and Crucible of Worlds to get rid of all of your opponents lands and powerful synergy with cards like Oracle of Mul Daya to play tons of lands
The ability to draw two cards without paying anything in return is a busted effect that resulted in the card being banned
they shut down tutors, make it hard to combo off, and so on