The problem with rush is not the 3 out of hand damage. It is 3 out of hand damage + mobility the card gives you. You can rush to remote threats, get into provoke positions, get off positioning-based spells like holy immolation. And on top of that you can use buffs to deal massive damage and then have a body left on the board for future use. With Phoenix Fire you just deal 3 damage and that’s it. With a tiger you can deal more damage by investing additional cards and have a body the opponent needs to get rid off. And it also gives you more reach.
The card itself isn’t scary. It’s flexibility is. Remember Third Wish Tiger times? Any powerful buff the CP wants to put in will be limited by Tiger being a thing. That is basically the only reason I want to see rush changed.
Oh, and Kara interaction is totally fine, you need to invest heavily to build those huge tigers, plus anybody playing against Kara should anticipate them, so there is no surprise factor.

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