Removing five or six lore from your opponent throughout the game can buy you a lot more time to gain control of the board
What made this card ban worthy was the fact that its a monstrous turn 1 play, but can also swing a game late, thanks to the ability to lower life totals and massage your own without even going to combat
The story was riveting, the other cards were quite strong, the list goes on
Choose Counter Intelligence if you are a brewer at heart
That can be done with good old Swords to Plowshares, Oblivion Ring effects, blink cards, you name it
He may come down and seem subtle, he may add a mana or two and leave you thinking he has done his thing only to have him ruin you with one of the other abilities later on