It makes it hard to kill and, if you combine it with cards like Exploration and Triumph of the Hordes, it can win games easily
This article only looks at mono red versions of the deck but you can do any two colour option you like
If you were lucky enough to pull one, check its market price at TCGplayer as virtually all of The Brothers War retro artifacts are worth at least $350 including Jalum Tome, Perilous Vault, and Altar of Dementia
Cards like Muldrotha and Day of Judgment offer strategic advantages, while Bloodthirsty Conqueror excels in combos
The Night Stretcher still sells for a respectable amount
Aside from a few cards here and there, the main difference between competitive Pioneer and competitive Explorer is that you cant play the Lotus Field combo deck in Explorer