Sparkle is a popular card for many reasons. First is her special power to look at an opponent's hand in battle and choose the one ally the opponent can play in that round of battle. You can only activate this power if your opponent is going to play an ally against Sparkle. If your opponent chooses not to play an ally against Sparkle, you do not get to inspect your opponent's hand.

This will often be the case as your opponent would rather keep his hand hidden most of the time, but he has to waive the chance to play any allies, including allies gained from other cards already in play like Axe of the Dwarvish Lords [4th-457] and the Triumvirate realms from the Underdark set. When Sparkle chooses which ally can be played she may choose from allies gained by these other cards as well as those in the opponent's hand. It is also important to note that Sparkle's special power is psionic and therefore affected by cards that affect psionics.

Her power is also offensive when determining immunities to psionics. One of the other reasons you may encounter Sparkle often, is that she is one of few AD&D psionic champions and is a great choice for an AD&D world deck. Some other great cards to play with Sparkle are Highmaster Illithios [DU-c21], bunches of psionic power cards and The Tantelear [PO-c9] for high speed fun!

Sparkle's power works only against the player she is opposing in combat. If the optional rule, Aiding the Attacker or Defender is being used, other players can play allies normally. In addition, the player opposing Sparkle can play the event Forced Conscription, and other players must contribute allies.