Another important thing to remember is you dont have to use each ripple effect
Whats more, you can use the black ability to draw cards and lose life in every color, and youll draw even more cards if you have proliferate or counter synergies
For example, Blue can be used if you want to focus on countering spells (creatures, sorcery, etc) and draw cards quickly
(2019-01-25) An effect that causes you to pay life uses the word pay. If an effect allows you to choose to lose life or to be dealt damage without using the word pay, youre not paying life
We've had 3-mana enters-the-battlefield critters that will blow out artifacts in green since Visions (Uktabi Orangutan)
Even if youre not that competitive and are on the hunt for some fancy cards, then theres plenty to love about Shimmering Skies too