That extra green mana is a world of difference that pays for a creature, and creatures are, in some contexts, irrelevant
This value can come from more novel sources, though: haste or flash allow you to use your creature in combat before it dies, Consecrated Sphinx doesnt have any abilities when it enters or leaves play, but draws you two cards on your opponents draw step, before it can be Vindicated, and creatures with board-affecting static abilities like Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite sometimes only need to be in play for an instant for their impact to be felt
Fell Stinger Deploy the Fell Stinger with its deathly scorpion's sting, and you can exploit (sacrifice another creature,) to evoke its 2 cards for 2 life ability, which can target any player
Zoroark ex costs 1250 Pack Points to craft