That said, you do need to afford the 2 life, and so the new form of lifegain but also pay life in a still very aggro heavy meta might be a hard sell but could be an interesting anti-aggro archetype
Brawl Not Legal Vintage Legal Timeless Not Legal Commander Legal Pauper Not Legal Oathbreaker Legal Penny Legal Toolbox Buy This Card Notes and Rules Information for Venser's Journal: If multiple effects modify your hand size, apply them in timestamp order
Way easier than using dice trust me
Minerva the Exalted Lightsworn (Original) This card has a two-fold worth
Mist Dancer Mist Dancer has a similar effect to Lord of Atlantis - giving a damage boost and evasion to all your Merfolk
From Neon Dynasty draft boosters you can draft powerful sagas even at common, and decks that care about enchantments, artifacts, or both work great here