Take the 8 damage, gain life or prevent it, because blocking with anything power 1 or greater will likely die and condemn the next blocker to die
Boromir is also a decent threat on its own and can protect your other Creatures from board wipes or targeted removal, which is especially important when trying to win with a Creature equipped with Colossus Hammer
Since being unbanned in Commander a couple of years ago, the sorcery hasn't really seen much play
Other X-Spells Condescend Syncopate Curse of the Swine Animists Awakening Blue Suns Zenith Ereboss Intervention Finale of Revelation Mind Spring Nissa, Steward of Elements Pull from Tomorrow Thassas Intervention Torment of Hailfire Villainous Wealth Wrens Run Hydra The average deck is not playing around: in addition to Exsanguinate, its running friggin Torment of Hailfire
It holds its shape, sits in a sleeve, and looks right when someone picks it up