For example: the first official Squirrel creatures in Magic didnt release until the Odyssey set in 2001
However, it can always be kept around to teach younger siblings and cousins, or even adults who want to participate with their kids
Many games went Man-o'-War your turn 3 creature, Man-o'-War your same creature on turn 4, Undo your same creature and one of my Man-o'-Wars on turn 5, Man-o'-War the creature yet again on turn 6
Tokens: stop using random objects as your whole plan Rules-wise, tokens can be represented by whatever, as long as its clear
You need to be doing something beyond what's written on the tin, whether that's untapping artifacts, proliferating charge counters, or benefitting from card draw in some way, but put in just an ounce of extra work and the Engine gets a-rolling