Coruscation Mage and Black Mage's Rod are both powerful since they trigger off all noncreature spells, not just instants and sorceries, but Longshot, Rebel Bowman and Thermo-Alchemist are still perfectly respectable cards
There are plenty of Knights that care about combat, as well as white cards that make it easier to give stat boosts to all of your creatures
Players had been wondering how planeswalkers could be designed to helm EDH decks, and this was WotCs simple response
Shinra Reinforcements Three mana 2/3, mill 3, gain 3 life isn't horrible
Shane: Ah, thats a tough question, but I think its the process of crafting a new world and story through visuals and narrative
The scaling makes it great in decks packed with 3- or 4-color spells where it turns every cast into both value and direct pressure