Three things: the material, the finish, and the format
Of course, you're not always playing with the combo, and that's where the politics come in
Tameshi Belcher (8.6% of the Winner's Metagame) 4 Goblin Charbelcher 4 Lotus Bloom 4 Fallaji Archaeologist 4 Hydroelectric Specimen 4 Tameshi, Reality Architect 4 Thundertrap Trainer 4 Beyeen Veil 4 Disrupting Shoal 4 Flare of Denial 4 Jwari Disruption 4 Sink into Stupor 4 Whir of Invention 4 Sea Gate Restoration 4 Suppression Ray 3 Spell Snare 1 Stern Scolding 3 Consign to Memory 3 Harbinger of the Seas 1 Force of Negation 1 Mountain 1 Into the Flood Maw 1 Portable Hole 1 Commandeer 1 Pact of Negation 1 Stern Scolding 1 Flusterstorm 1 Tezzeret the Seeker Tameshi Belcher has emerged as Modern's premier combo deck in the wake of the Underworld Breach ban
Released in 1997, Tempest marked the beginning of the famous Tempest block and is widely remembered for its powerful cards, memorable mechanics, and its setting on the plane of Rath
Recently, Wizards of the Coast (the makers of Magic) started selling small sets of cards with custom art as well