A 3/2 flyer that effectively couldn't be blocked was pretty much a bomb, since there were few removal spells, fewer fliers, and virtually no tempo in this format
The abilities are strong without being so broken it makes it unfun, it fits perfectly into the archetype its meant to fit into without any unnecessary drawbacks, and it gives access to Orzhov colors, by far the most common colors for aristocrat strategies
However, both Philoctetes, No-Nonsense Instructor and Ling, Imperial Soldier are obvious core cards for any kind of Hero-focused Steel deck
Ships put into port there only at Captain Vance's sufferance, however
It hits hard, makes it hard to race, and sometimes buffs a different creature entirely
Even the argument that "it returns from the graveyard" isn't a good one