In a set with a bunch of lands that can turn into creatures, giving yours a boost can help give you the advantage over your opponents
In multiplayer, some combination of going big and going wide can lead you to a position where Overrun lets you run the table, killing all opponents in one combat phase

The deck: Merfolk Tribal Comparative Analysis 34 Lands 12 Ramp : Hakbal of the Surging Soul, Nicanzil, Current Conductor, Thieving Skydiver, Sol Ring, Stonybrook Banneret, Simic Signet, Patchwork Banner, Thrasios, Triton Hero, Deeproot Wayfinder, Thada Adel, Acquisitor, Twists and Turns (late), Kioras Follower 11 Target Removal : Thada Adel, Acquisitor (kinda), Vodalian Hexcatcher, Chomping Changeling, Lullmage Mentor, Harbinger of the Tides, Disruptor of Currents, Repulsive Mutation, Tishanas Tidebinder (kinda), Empress Galina, Thieving Skydiver (kinda), Champions of the Shoal (kinda) 3 Board Wipes :Wave Goodbye, Aetherize, Summon: Leviathan 2 Graveyard Recursion : Deeproot Historian, Quandrix Command (to library) 1 Graveyard Hate : Scavenger Grounds 4 Tutors : Forerunner of the Heralds, Merrow Harbinger, Seahunter, Twists and Turns (late) 12 Protection : Ripples of Potential, Singer of Swift Rivers, Svyelun of Sea and Sky, Kopala, Warden of Waves, Roaming Throne (self-protection), Inspiring Call, Vodalian Hexcatcher, Lullmage Mentor, Tishanas Tidebinder, Disruptor of Currents, Summon: Leviathan (self-protection), Repulsive Mutation 15 Card Draw : Hakbal of the Surging Soul, Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca, Svyelun of Sea and Sky, Emperor Mihail II (kinda), Seafloor Oracle, Cold-Eyed Selkie, Inspiring Call, Namor, Scourge of the Seas, Benthic Biomancer, Attuma, Atlantean Warlord, Kiora, the Rising Tide (1/2), Thrasios, Triton Hero, Aquitects Will (1/2), Harmonized Trio, Prime Speaker Zegana, Summon: Leviathan 6 Finishers/ Surprise /Alternate win conditions : Herald of Secret Streams, Master of the Pearl Trident, Lord of Atlantis, Mist Dancer, Simic Ascendancy, Namor, Scourge of the Seas As we see from the comparative analysis, the rates per category are very good

This article looks at how protection works in MTG, why its so controversial, the best protection cards, an epic protection deck, and how to play against protection
Credit: Wizards of the Coast Star Whale FromTheShire: I almost don't care about the ward, a flying vigilance 8/8 is serious beats even in Commander and makes you really tough to attack in to