+1/+1 counters, -1/-1 counters, poison counters, loyalty counters, filibuster counters (yes, that's real)
Success lies not only in having top-tier cards but in using them strategically to outsmart your rivals
The payoffs seem to be Bident of Thassa, Spear of Heliod, Ethersworn Adjudicator, and a few instants, withal not being enough (There's more, yet I am indolent)
Add 10-20% spare capacity to replace routes that fail readiness checks
If you get an extra rare or mythic rare card, its converted to either 20 or 40 gems, respectively
It may have been outclassed in recent years by Modern Horizons Kaldra Compleat, but the power of that card doesnt match the theatrics and flair of the original