Let's say I'm choosing a creature type for my Volrath's Laboratory and I'm inspired by Atinlay Igpay
Codsworth, Handy Helper doesnt help with the creatures, but it handles everything else as a mana dork for your equipment, plus a way to get past equip costs
Yes, cost reductions work on evoke since it calls out reducing the casting cost
A regular planeswalker with these abilities (+1: add a counter to a critter, -5: Draw two, -10: Add ten mana) would be pretty middling for what Commander decks what to do
If you are able to go wide on your board and flood it with toughness 1 creatures, then you can pretty much just pay 1 mana to draw 2 cards as much as you like
Gift of Immortality offers protection and can be donated, making it preferable to Swiftfoot Boots