For +1/+1 counter payoffs we have stuff like Hopeful Initiate for repeat disenchants and Elite Scaleguard to tap down opposing blockers but we also have a cheeky combo with Scurry Oak / Herd Baloth + Rosie Cotton of South Lane / Ivy Lane Denizen for infinite creatures
The rest of the cards in the set are either brand new (Dragonite-EX, M Pidgeot-EX, Machamp BREAK, Brock's Guts, etc.), straight-up reprints of recent modern-era cards (Venusaur-EX, Charizard-EX, and Blastoise-EX), or reprints of recent modern-era cards with brand new artwork (Misty's Determination, M Blastoise-EX, etc.)
Aetherflux Reservoir laser cannons a player (or creature, if you have an agenda) right out of the game, but at the cost of 50 life
It also has some text to force opponents to block it with multiple creatures
In the end, I agree with you, the buyer has full transparency when bidding/purchasing
I will also point out that the Phyrexian creature type didnt exist when the Germs were first released