Why a direct Oty/Scarab counter? Has it any other uses? Why does the upped have Living in its name? (I don't get the thematic difference, if there is any) Why does the upped go from any element to Life? Why is the upped better?
The unup has 0 atk -> is not living, and it does not belong to any element (is still a life card), the second one is animated, (1 atk) and hence is living
Chrysaora has 0 attack and is alive, is it not?
The point being, unupped Jessamine is a plant that cannot move or do much of anything. Upped Jessamine is animated, it will move around, try to attack things, etc. it's to give the card a little more use.
As for the Direct Oty/Scarab counter part, I just thought it would be an interesting mechanic to force a creature to target something specific when it's ability is used. Devour seemed like a good skill to use it on.