It had an awkward template in order to theoretically enable players to do some fancy tricks, like getting to use the enters the battlefield triggers of the creatures they knew were coming in the next set, stuff like Man-o-War and Nekrataal
Llanowar Elves, on the other hand, are incredibly useful in Elf Typal (yes, we did just say Typal), as they help further the decks interconnected synergies
The creature token option works well with ways to replenish Marath's counter, like Cathars' CrusadeCathars' Crusade, and a way to recoup the mana, like Ashnod's AltarAshnod's Altar or Mana EchoesMana Echoes
Theyre clearly focused with well-supported strategies
As I owned 3 Alpha Jade Statues and 4 Juggernauts already, Channel seemed quite attractive