Dr. Hooves, as a (blue) Friend in MLP CCG is somewhat of a conundrum.
There are a total of 4 different versions of Dr. Hooves, all of which are either Rare, Ultra Rare, or promo only.
This poses a serious problem when trying to build a deck using Dr. Hooves'.
Dr. Hooves, Experienced Equine and Dr. Hooves, Unblinking can clearly work together, when Unblinking enters the discard pile it can bring out Experienced Equine out in play at Home, (pay 2 to unfrighten him) and move to a problem.
Although both other Dr. Hooves have abilities of their own (they don't particularly work in any real synergy with the first two), they can - once in the discard pile - power up Experienced Equine.
(You could choose to discard other Dr. Hooves Friends with Too Splashy).
In order for a deck like this to function, realistically, you'd need 2-3 copies of each card, and that's difficult considering they're all either Rare, Ultra Rare, or promotional.
This is the mystery of Dr. Hooves. I'm not really sure why he's so difficult to find...
Up until now (the release of the Crystal Games expansion) Maud Pie, Rocken' - as a Mane Character - was a juggernaut, reaching a power of 7.
(Base 3 plus 1 per card type in discard pile and there are only 4 card types that can go into the discard pile).
Now, with the release of The Crystal Games 3 copies of Finger Snap can be added into the Maud Pie Deck.
These cheap (1 Action Token, 0-requirement) cards can be saved at play upon a 7-powered Maud Pie, bringing her up to 10-power!
Look out!
Cutie Mark Crusaders, Ponyville Flag Carriers.
This new Mane Character doesn't really seem overly powerful... on initial inspection, it seems somewhat weak and slow to flip.
However, I think it's potential is in its deck of Foals.
Although there are many foals characters, it is in Twist, Such a Treat, that we see this potential come to life!
This Friend will nearly always be at +1 (power of 2).
Played in conjunction with (preferably up to 3) Pie Family Rock Farm, Twist, Such a Treat, will power up to +4 each turn (on the drawing of 4 cards every turn), making her 5-power. (Have up to 3 in play and it could prove disastrous to your opponent!)
Now, couple these cards synergistic potential with Diamond Tiara (troublemaker) blocking your opponent from scoring on either or both problems and you're free to score every turn.
Diamond Tiara also powers up based on the number of Foals at her problem. Only counting Twist, Such a Treat and Cutie Mark Crusaders, Ponyville Flag Carriers, that in itself is +4. (Making Diamond Tiara at 8-powered Troublemaker!)
Throw into the mix a deck built upon Foal Friends and this could prove devastating.
