You can cast Devil early, but its ability isn't that powerful if there aren't many creatures on the battlefield
While its plenty powerful, its the effect on perceived barrier-to-entry that really posed a problem because casual players watching Commander games in passing could reasonably assume that they needed hundreds (now thousands) of dollars in Power-9 mana as table stakes, just to join the format
Contractual Safeguard Contractual Safeguard is a powerful trick from the Bedecked Brokers Commander precon that plays really well in counters-matter decks
cards, combine with yellow's durability to make for an exceptionally robust deck
The third deck I created was around Tatsunari, Toad Rider
Even in Standard, where counterspells arent super-common, I think there are homes for Squelcher