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Pojo's FMA Card of the Day


 

  

Maria Ross, Maternal Instinct

Reviewed:
April 6, 2007

Ratings
Constructed: 3.50
Limited: 4.33

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.  3 ... average.  
5 is the highest rating

Click here to see all our 
Card of the Day Reviews.


Crenshinibon

 

Maria Ross, Maternal Instinct:

Maria Ross has 2 strong five cost allies. Of the two (the other being insubordinate), Maternal Instinct has much higher stats, but is actually worse in battles than insubordinate's insane Toughness: 3. So I think it actually depends on the leader, and your metagame which you use.

In ALA, Roy, or Hughes, Maternal Instinct is probably a bit better. If your metagame has lots of alchemy, then I'm sure it will work fine. In Hawkeye, I think Insubordinate is a better choice because of Demanding Obediance's toughness boost. They're both playable, and I suppose Maternal Instinct is a bit more playable overall.

In limited, Maternal Instinct is a nice level 1 ally with a decent ability and stats. There's really not much more to say.

Ratings:
Constructed: 3.5/5
Limited: 4.5/5

Darktaro

We finish off Military week with a look at an old favorite, Maria Ross, Maternal Instinct. At 5 cost she has decent wits, allowing you to use cards like More on the first turn. With Hakuro in play it also allows you to play Reinforcements. Her ability is situational but can come in handy say against an ally that has a built in pump that uses alchemy. She works best in an all heroes deck taking advantage of A Hero's Passing and Banding Together, but in general Military decks with the addition of the new soldiers from Sacrifice, her usefulness has definitely diminished.

Constructed: 3/5-Hero decks yay, other decks nay.
Sealed: 4/5-A bit more useful here as any 6 command level 1 can recruit her.
Darktaro
lonedothacker Friday

The last day of our military week.

Our boys of war may get tired on the battle field, and what better way to cheer them up then with a Mother's touch, Ms. Ross offers that to our boys in blue.

Maria Ross, Maternal Instinct 5 Cost Military
Human-Solider-Hero
4/5/0

Search Wits 6: Target character cannot play alchemy events or abilities untill the end of the turn.

I like this card and hate it at the same time. Lets just say I play Elric. Military makes good use of her for their State Alchemist who can boast a slight stat increase ala Surpressing Fire or the 6 Cost drop 2 pumps, when Elric rely mostly on Alchemy events and abilities to pump, what're they left to do? Since many decks sub very few Alchemy events beyond a possible Spoils of War, this ally is lost against many other decks. It has potential against a Scar deck where the leader uses Alchemy abilties, but thats about it. The cost doesn't bother me much as Hakuro makes her a 6 Wits and at worst you're chucking one to hinder a character. If you're at one of your own Triple Threat locations or duel threats that involve Alchemy, you're able to avoid a showdown on one character. You still have the threat of Showdowns in the hand, however if you can make it around and take out another character or two.

Overall, this is a pretty strong lady who knows how to take care of her boy's.

Constructed: 3.5/5 Pretty good, not bad for an early recruit which allows her use against a non alchemy centered deck.

Lonedothacker

retched

Friday - Maria Ross, Maternal Instinct

Welcome back to the card of the day and today being Friday so everyone go out and enjoy your weekend. Now let's take a look at the card of the day, a common from Artificial Human.

Maria Ross, Maternal Instinct
5 Cost - Military
Human/Soldier/Hero

4/5/0

Search Wits 6: Target character cannot play alchemy events or abilities until the end of the turn.

Ok this card isn't too bad for a common. Semi-light cost (drop one unless you boost it's wits attribute), basically let's you choose a character and prevent them from playing anything involving Alchemy cost altogether. Great against any deck involving heavy Alchemy usage like most State Alchemist/Elric decks based around Alchemy pumps or Alchemy events. If you're playing against say a Homunculus deck... you can't do much since 99% of the characters under Homunculus faction don't have Alchemy to use (Wraith is the only one). Unless they managed to get the only +1 Alchemy boost from an attachment or battle ability.

Case in point, since the card states "target character" this will do great against any leader (*cough* Izumi Curtis) that involves a Quick Alchemy ability. (Reminder: Quick Alchemy X = Battle Alchemy Discard an alchemy event from hand. This character gets +X Alchemy ...) "Hey I see that you just leveled up to Level 4 Izumi Curtis... Cool... I drop one card and she cannot use any Alchemy abilities this turn. And hey look it's a battle of alchemy now **cheesy grin here** Then they play Desperate Parry and you're screwed. Let's take a look at the numbers...

Constructed: 4/5. If you're playing Military she's in your deck... If you're playing Elric/Rebel and you have a spare command point ... here you go. Homunculus? Can't touch ** Insert MC Hammer beat here **

Sealed: 4.5/5. This card won't do too bad in sealed decks. Especially in limited formats since you ignore the Hero/Villain restriction. You pull her out... She's in the deck. Hope for an extra copy since it's a common...

Hope you enjoyed today's reading.

Also as I read around in the FMA forums at http://www.fmatcg.com . I read that somewhere along the line I made a mistake on a post not too long. Please forgive for I normally do this extremely late/early in the morning. If I ever do make a mistake, simply (kindly) make a note to me on the forums (Rules/Clarifications) or do it in private via email (retched@hotmail.com) And thanks to the person for pointing it out to me.

Take care and have a good weekend...

Clap some hand and draw some chalk circles... peace.

Paul Williams/retched

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