@oracle: Potentially is the key word. Freaks can hit hard early, but without DR or lifegain, their gap caps at 11, which is not too hard to beat for most hands.

As for Malicia, I've gone up against her a few times, and... yeah, she's pretty much a 4* Leela. Except, Leela is the best 5* in Pussycats, and dropping a star means more room for other big hitters, and more room for some devastating combinations. One of the Malicia hands I faced also had Bogdan, Grudj, and Diana. That was not fun. Point is, I can see why people are putting her on the ban list. Still, Clover got the same treatment when she was released, and now she only gets sporadically banned. So maybe wait and see what happens in upcoming weeks.

This wasn't implemented as a Malicia thread, but since she's seen her first ban, it's kinda hijacked into one. She's strong. She's not THAT strong. Once people figure out her place she probably won't be a regular ban. Clover on the other hand, is an amazing card. I'm surprised she's not banned far more often. Fury 7 on a 3 star DR card stings!