But not only has it not completely taken off (about 4,000 decklists is still respectable), but it's been usurped by another elf commander who was revealed much later in ECL's preview cycle
One of the most noticeable changes in Magic: The Gathering over the last few years has been the increase in the number of legendary creatures
After all, its a Zombie Knight and it has a textbox that references the Knight too
Thalia and the Gitrog Monster is perhaps the best place for the Portal, since it lets you sacrifice lands and draw cards when you do
Arid Mesa Consign to Memory Flooded Strand [1zdCiFHvJjVicTiq4Eh3Vz] Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury [2tggU0KFo0UoYxioU0GBMw] Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer [1k3ugm2CtV4JKAFThBwuPI] Galvanic Discharge [416E68UPH0GQ3Tvl9UPuGP] Mystical Dispute The most-played cards in Modern are fetch lands like Arid Mesa and Flooded Strand
Not only is it a very legitimate threat in its own right, but it doesnt even need to declare an attack to give you a bunch of value