The samurai side (Kenzo the Hardhearted) is very powerful as a 3/4 with double strike and bushido 2
Protective spells can be lumped into two broad categories: spells that protect a single creature or permanent (Tamiyo's Safekeeping, Slip Out the Back) and cards that protect your entire board (Teferi's Protection, Heroic Intervention)
This omits cards like Mox Ruby as well as some interesting lands like Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle, but you dont need me to tell you those are strong cards in any red deck
Unlimited Wave Cyber Strike Structure Deck"
Pernicious Deed 4.1 Power 4.6 Support 3.6 Unlike vindicate the Deed fails at dealing with planeswalkers
Also, it's not used nearly as much anymore simply because cards that could remove things in the Spell/Trap zone at the end of your turn, if you go second, are more prevalent nowadays (Cosmic Cyclone, Twin Twisters, Mystical Space Typhoon, etc)