Although all the cards in The Brothers' War that create Powerstone tokens create a tapped Powerstone token, entering the battlefield tapped isn't part of the token's definition
Additionally, like 2mv land-based ramp, these cards tend to work well in decks with commanders that cost four mana because they enable you to play these commanders on turn three
Interestingly it would be a good long while before we got equipment cards in Magic (those wouldnt come till Mirrodin) so the events depicted in this image couldnt actually happen in the card game at the time (And even if Equipment was a thing back then, I think it wouldnt count as artifact damage since it would be the creature attacking you)
Over 18,000 decks is a lot of decks playing the altar, and I promise that going with the crowd in this instance is an OK thing
Tovolar has card draw attached to it, has a way to auto-transform your board, and a way to push damage through when he transforms