Another possibility is to completely play with proxies, and thus get around most of the problems described above
Pokmon cards were released later that same year
Call For Backup (WGR) +1/+1 counters deck Cavalry Charge (WUB) Knights deck Divine Convocation (WRU) Convoke deck Growing Threat (WB) Phyrexian deck Tinker Time (GUR) Artifact tokens deck Included in each Commander deck is a Planar die as well
Antimagic Cone Each opponent sacrifices an enchantment
We played the first cards from this era, Uktabi Orangutan, Nekrataal, Man-o'-War and friends very heavily
Bilbo's Ring Celestial Armor Champion's Helm Cryptothrall Crystal Barricade Crystalline Giant Doors of Durin Dragonfire Blade Eater of Virtue Essence of Antiquity Giant's Amulet Glaring Spotlight Illvoi Light Jammer Inspirit, Flagship Vessel Jade Orb of Dragonkind Mask of Avacyn Mirror Shield Orbs of Warding Ring of Evos Isle Scion of Draco Shadowspear Shadowspear Simic Keyrune Skrelv, Defector Mite Soundwave, Superior Captain Sphinx of the Guildpact Survey Mechan Swiftfoot Boots Syr Ginger, the Meal Ender The Fire Nation Drill Walking Skyscraper Witchbane Orb