Buying one or two meals at a time isnt questionable, but theres a limit and theres no reason why it should be crossed
Its also another card that you can find for a much more reasonable price with different variants as low as $10 if the collectability or alternate art variant isnt important to you
Phasing out an opponent's creature before they do something busted like a combo buys some breathing room to find a proper answer
The Earth Crystal is a counter doubler, and cost reduction, at four mana
Constant Protection Generally speaking, constant protection is the best way to go when you want to safeguard creatures against removal
Agent of the Shadow Thieves Akroma, Vision of Ixidor Alesha's Legacy Animus of Predation Battle-Rage Blessing Bleeding Effect Eater of Virtue Gift of Doom Horrid Vigor Indominus Rex, Alpha Kathril, Aspect Warper Klaw, Master of Sound Majestic Myriarch Maximum Overdrive Odric, Blood-Cursed Odric, Lunarch Marshal Offer Immortality Pharika, God of Affliction Pitiless Pontiff Rakish Scoundrel Rayami, First of the Fallen Ready // Willing Ready // Willing Rhonas the Indomitable Rodolf Duskbringer Selective Adaptation Soulflayer Super-Adaptoid Thunderous Orator Urborg Scavengers Wintermoor Commander Wretched Bonemass