"Strictly better" is a term that has a specific meaning, namely "Strictly better describes a card which is, in isolation from other effects, superior to another card in at least one respect, while being worse in zero respects." (From MTG Wiki).
Lotus field has two lines of text that Lotus Vale does not: Hexproof (definitely better in isolation from other effects) and "Enters the battlefield tapped" (definitely worse in isolation from other effects).
At least according to the above definition, this card cant be considered "STRICTLY better". It might be just regular ol better though
The matter that it sacs two lands? The old version actually being more vulnerable and causing a potentially bigger blowout from an opponent's stone rain. Also we are in a world where things like Ramunap Excavator and Crucible of Worlds and Lord Windgrace exist now, something Lotus Vale and Scorched Ruins would have greatly desired.
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Playing with proxied cards at sanctioned events is good, actually.
Blue lives don't matter in the slightest.
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Lotus field has two lines of text that Lotus Vale does not: Hexproof (definitely better in isolation from other effects) and "Enters the battlefield tapped" (definitely worse in isolation from other effects).
At least according to the above definition, this card cant be considered "STRICTLY better". It might be just regular ol better though
Blue lives don't matter in the slightest.