Lore is generated by questing, leaving your characters exerted and open to being challenged (which can destroy them)
What bridges the midgame? If you can answer those with cheaper alternatives while you test, do thatthen upgrade into the exact pieces you like
Your speed doesn't change until a spell or ability says so, such as the inherent triggered ability that cares about opponents losing life during your turn
If you have the likes of Articuno ex, Starmie ex, or Lapras ex, its definitely worth throwing them in here and using them
Nobody outside of the upper echelons of WotC has the facts and data to support or refute this claim, though, so in order to support my argument, I'll illustrate with examples from a handful of MTG's game modes
For me, Modern is a format thats about inches, not miles