This article explores pregame actions, Leylines, Chancellors, companions, conspiracies, Serum Powder mulligans, Gemstone Cavern, Flash Hulk history, and other strange cards that affect the game before anyone plays a land
For example, rather than having a card that destroys only an Artifact or Enchantment (card types not as commonly used as Creatures), you find a Cursed Idol that gives you an additional, evergreen choice to create a Treasure token, and also venture into the dungeon (see the last point)
So you could end up with pirate burn spells, cat slivers, lifelink elves, and so on
A repeating Raise Dead creates a lot of value for creatures that want to ETB, die, or leave the graveyard like with Tormod, the Desecrator
Channel is harder to answer that traditional spells being cast
I was going to keep my ten-card upgrade deck together, but Imoen and Dungeon Delver make rebuilding the deck sufficiently attractive