Vindictive Vampire 4 mana is a lot, but in sacrifice decks, sometimes you really, really need one more card that drains and gains, and Vindictive Vampire is happy to be that card if you need it
(There was no white as I made two two-color decks to play against each other for demo purposes.) The idea behind mixing up the triggers was that each color would have a different feel
The effect is so simple but so effective that the card has had an on-again, off-again relationship with the ban list
Creatures (25) 2 Tangled Florahedron 3 Magda, Brazen Outlaw 4 Jaspera Sentinel 4 Prosperous Innkeeper 4 Shambling Ghast 2 Orcus, Prince of Undeath 4 Kalain, Reclusive Painter 2 Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia Planeswalkers (2) Lands (20) Spells (13) Finally, a use for Zariel, Archduke of Avernus
The next major iteration in transforming design came in the original Ixalan block
These abilities put those to good use