pokemon phantasmal flames booster pack Mega Evolution: 25-Bundle Case With a deep chill to rival the heat Pokemon - Phantasmal Flames Sleeved

But if that is the case, when/why was it changed

Ashnods Altar is a three mana Artifact that allows you to sacrifice a creature to gain two colorless mana

Not to mention that Little John, Resourceful Outlaw needing to be exerted to have his effect take hold is an easy cost to pay, considering how many resistant Bodyguards your opponents will likely have to get through to challenge him.

Many of them can be easy to use

This can actually have some pretty interesting gameplay applications, particularly in green where you might have the biggest creatures and this will clear out small utility creatures or other weaklings that might get in their way