These kinds of cycles are important (if highly situational) for flavour and gameplay, but all I can really comment is the art -- I do like the elaborate 'real beetle' art of Black Scarab and the much fancier Blue Scarab
Then, just when it starts to feel like its going to peter out, you get to Level 3 and your legendary creatures bottle cards for you
The real teeth here are enchantments like Leyline of Anticipation, Reconnaissance Mission, Future Sight, Rhystic Study, and especially Corrupted Conscience
It makes sense then that so much media would incorporate these ideas from books, to movies, to games, and Magic: The Gathering is no exception
Silverquill, the Disputant Silverquill, the Disputant gives casualty 1 to your instant and sorcery spells, which is pretty powerful, considering that you can sacrifice a token to double any spell effect
Amethyst Emerald will appeal to fans of blue