Weirdly, setting up the Shift target Clarabelle Contented Wallflower makes the big Clara less likely to make a big impact
In most cases, the controller of the attacking creature will still become the monarch as it is likely their turn
Thopter Depths Two major combos saw play for a while in formats like Extended with the Vampire Hexmage and Dark Depths combo (giving you a 20/20 indestructible, flying Marit Lage beater on the turn you played Vampire Hexmage) or the Sword of the Meek and Thopter Foundry combo engine that made a ton of 1/1 blue Thopters
Many of these lists still work in cEDH pods
If you are aggressive, then getting something out of the way for a bit should give you that window to close the game
A single Surgical Extraction isnt going to be too effective, so Id steer clear of this one outside of blue decks, but its a great option for them, especially because the harder graveyard hate messes with Snapcaster Mage