There's just something appealing about seeing someone get stomped by being grabbed by vines under their opponent's control.
It'd be more surprising if she _*didn't_* nerf herself by sacrificing her youth the way she did/does, if anything. Her mane's flow did get dimmer and all... not that it would've stopped her from getting Tirek'd, even if she were still in her prime, probably.
I think _*you_* definitely contributed to infecting me with the Cadance appreciation... not that I'm complaining, lol.