MTGNexus is the set designers paradise, with a great forum for discussing custom cards and proxies
The main culprit is the huge power creep that MTGs had across the last few years, printing cards especially creatures that are more powerful than old Snappy in a vacuum
At that point they could require all sanctioned tournaments to be played with cards that had the new face
Three mana for a menacing 2/3 is a nice rate, but allowing you to draw a card anytime you hit a player with a modified creature is the real star of the show
As the game progresses, you learn their more powerful versions, such as Fira, Firaga, or Firaja
Additionally, joining Water, Wood and Ice, Wall of Dust was also discontinued after Fourth Edition