The general strategy is to get some early unblockable creatures like Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive, Changeling Outcast, or Dauthi Voidwalker out and then attack with two mana open to ninjutsu immediately
You do need to make the other players aware no surprising anyone with lethal Commander damage from a face down card
While the Elite Trainer Box is the best entry level product for player/collectors to buy, the booster box is best for those who want the maximum number of packs for the best price
Blue-red cards that copy cast sorceries and spontaneous spells (such as Thousand-Year Storm and Veyran, Voice of Duality) form good synergies with the Locust Gods abilities when card draw triggers time after time
Heroes United and Villains Unleashed
Some smaller shops that sell on TCGplayer ship their items with better care, but this varies from seller to seller