Maple Story iTCG Preview Nova

Nova is among the most versatile characters in the game. There are four characters in OMG Bosses!, one for each class, and each has an ability that is new to the game. Nova, a Thief, has a unique put-into-play ability. Her Mastermind skill allows you to play a Weapon, Strategy or Undead card of your level or less. Couple Mastermind with an early Quest and a punishing damage skill, and you have the beginning of an amazing deck.

Most characters allow you to put a card into play. For instance, Sherman has Spawn X, Ivan has Equip X, and Stormwind has Think Fast X. These abilities let you play a monster, item, or tactic card. Many decks rely on putting one type of card into play from the character and another from their level-up actions. For this reason, few decks have items and tactics and monsters.

Thief characters are allowed to be the most flexible in Maple Story iTCG. The character that broke the rules in set one, Mistmoon, has Sneak 40 as her play action. No two Mistmoon decks are alike because of the flexibility she gives to deckbuilders. Nova continues that tradition. While Mistmoon’s restriction is “level 40 or less,” Nova’s is “only of these three specific types of cards.” Lets break that down…

“Play a Weapon of your level or less.” In sets one and two there are 12 Weapon items. If you want to go the character-action damage route, you can play Bowman and Thief items that will make your Slash ability hurt. All of the cards you need for this style of deck are Weapons: Maple Soul Searcher, Coconut Knife, Battle Bow, Blood Slain and even the mighty Golden Crow.

“Play a Strategy of your level or less.” There are 15 Strategy tactics in the first two sets. If you want to play with powerful tactics, there is no better place to look than Magician and Thief cards that help control the board, your opponent’s hand, or their hit points. You can go on a Side Quest, Swipe a card from your opponent’s hand, or even demolish your opponent with Alishar’s Death Magic! (It is a tactic that does 150 damage to your opponent – what more do you need?)

“Play an Undead of your level or less.” From the nine Undead monsters in the first two sets, a three stand out as must-include cards for any Nova deck. Zombie Lupin is undead, and he will grab a tactic from your discard pile for you. (For instance, the Side Quest you played last turn with your Mastermind skill!) Soul Teddy is a powerhouse from set one, and it is joined by Book Ghost from OMG Bosses!

Nova gives you the tools you need to get the job done. She has a great damage ability, a powerful play ability and a turn one Quest. On top of that, Nova is probably the cutest character in the game. Look at those eyes! I don’t understand those random belts around the head though…

Article by: Andrea Jennifer Shubert
http://ww2.wizards.com/maplestory/news.aspx?doc=news_nova