In my original article, I argue that any one of these cards would be insufficient to put Merfolk back on the map, but taken as a package, they are able to push the pressure + disruption of the fish into playability alongside Counterspell
Either in limited, Abedraft, or my various decks down through the years, I've seen most of the cards
Sometimes, a fake card will be obvious
It even provides something of a win condition, since it makes a bunch of goaded birds for opponents to peck at each other with
And let's not forget we get the entire suite of Black removal in Standard at our fingertips, as well as the raw power of Castle Locthwain and the sideboard goodness of Duress
Now it's time for him to break into the fourth seat in your Commander pod