While the original might have been upstaged by its newer, flashier March of the Machine version (read on for more on that), Etali, Primal Storm remains a classic Dinosaur creature that can capably steal cards and wins from foes out of nowhere if you hit the right stuff from their libraries
A mana is still pretty cheap and the ability to do it multiple times makes it a far better late game engine with things like the Carrion Feeder or Skullclamp
Obviously, in Commander, a high life total isnt the do all and end all, since commander damage can still kill you (ask me sometime about getting killed by Zedruu the Greathearted while at 2500+ life), but for the most part, gaining life makes you that much more difficult to kill
Ennis, Debate Moderator Ennis, Debate Moderator is mostly a flicker payoff, and it absolutely has a role with a clean ETB that flickers on its own
How has your experience with the blitz mechanic been