Gift of Immortality offers protection and can be donated, making it preferable to Swiftfoot Boots
Pluto, Determined Defender and Nani will help keep your high-value questers safe, while Evasives like Don Carnage and Wildcat let you set the pace of the game and keep your opponent on the defensive
You are less focused on delve so you need less looting effects to power it
Yes, cost reductions work on evoke since it calls out reducing the casting cost
If you want to get ahead of the curve, consider moving into cards on the Reserve List now, as Xemit suggested
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