Much like in many horror movies, the true villain isnt always who you expect it to be
It's perfect for commanders that rely on fodder or death triggers, like Teysa Karlov, Golbez, Crystal Collector, or Korvold, Fae-Cursed King
So while Counterspell might be able to deal with any threat, most times you'd be better off drafting Dark Banishing or Incinerate so you could drop early creatures, and then use the removal to mop up afterwards instead of having to wait for your gracious opponent to walk into your untapped Islands
Cards like Mind Twist can win games
Sarulf's Packmate Speaking of Pauper staples, Sarulf's Packmate has been well-received by the community since its introduction
Your opponent gains some life and were all a little bit dissatisfied