Designing Low-Value Cards

What is the idea behind designing cards that are seemingly terrible in both limited and constructed? For example, I cannot imagine Psionic Snoop getting played unless you drafted really bad or you cannot evaluate cards. From VOW, Nebelgast Beguiler is another example. Is designing such cards a way to balance limited? Or do you really believe such cards will see meaningful play?

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Thanks to digital, we can now track how often specific cards get played. The interesting thing about the data is everything gets played, more than we even thought it would. Don’t assume every player has your knowledge or priorities.