Naturally, people jumped on Burning Abyss since it was a theme that could be played from the start, but since were focusing on the U.A., lets begin our journey through time to observe how the theme evolved
What Happens to Equipment, Auras, and Counters on a Creature When You Meld It
It can proliferate to add even more counters to your permanents
Anaba Spirit Crafter is one of the first Minotaur lords, is much weaker than modern lords, but still can find a place in our deck since even the +1 power buff on all Minotaurs can be worth it, in a deck that attacks a lot and has many Minotaurs
Penelopes never-ending funeral shroud in the Odyssey comes to mind, as does the poison-soaked robe Medea uses to kill Glauke in Euripides version of her story
Make a creature of yours indestructible until end of turn if its about to be removed or die from combat damage