So which one of these deliciously evil beauties is the "better" card?

Mara:

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/Star-Wars-LCG/news/echoes-of-the-force-cycle/lure-of-the-dark-side/SWC11-card-15.png

Sariss:

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/Star-Wars-LCG/news/echoes-of-the-force-cycle/knowledge-and-defense/sariss.png

Let's ignore their pods for the moment (which I realize really makes the difference as far as which card is overall better)...

I'm thinking Mara has the "edge" (no pun intended...). Even though the Sariss has the black tactics and the powerful ability to lock down a unit to the force, it still seems to me that Mara's higher stats for health, force icons, and damage icons put her a notch above Sariss.

I just thought it would be interesting to compare the two side by side, since we see two 4-cost, unique Sith characters spoiled within a few weeks of each other...

Mara is amazing, best unit in the game when she'll be with us.

I like that neither of them has been overtly sexualized. In fact, the Art Department has done a pretty decent job of that overall so far. Even Sariss, who does act as a seductress to some extent in the game, is shown here with a fierce, deadly expression and an active pose. Star Wars is admittedly an odd place to look for strong lady figures, but female depictions are something that have been bothering me more and more in the games I've been playing lately, and I'm pleased to see it's less of an issue in this game.

Mara is amazing, best unit in the game when she'll be with us.

Not sure I'd go that far, but she is easily the better single card of the two. So far, I think Mara's set is also quite good. I will admit though that the event in Sariss's pod may as well just be another force lightning, since it costs the same and has a similar restriction.

The Emperor is easily the best unit in the game, and I don't see Mara Jade changing that. She is quite the beast, and likely in the top 5/10 for sure when she comes out though.

I prefer Mara almost entirely for the greater durability (extra damage capacity and shielding). I feel like Sariss and her objective set will help create a new Sith deck that's more focused on the force struggle manipulation. So far, you could run Sariss, Shadows of Dathomir, and Mara, though I expect that the remaining sets from the cycle will give plenty of extra tricks.

I am not certain what restriction you are talking about (like Force Lightning). It would seem that this is good to take the Force, and when comboed with Sariss this can take out Luke. At least you stand an opportunity to take the Force struggle; at best you could potentially destroy a unit that is otherwise protected (like a readied C-3p0 that is committed to the Force, or that pesky repair droid/protect vehicle.

I am not certain what restriction you are talking about (like Force Lightning). It would seem that this is good to take the Force, and when comboed with Sariss this can take out Luke. At least you stand an opportunity to take the Force struggle; at best you could potentially destroy a unit that is otherwise protected (like a readied C-3p0 that is committed to the Force, or that pesky repair droid/protect vehicle.

The units on Force Lightning must be exhausted whereas the units for Sight must simply have 2 force Icons or less. They are both similar restrictions, but Sight can be equally powerful since you dont have to wait, it just happens. While Sight cannot kill many of the 3+-value heroes without help, it can kill Blockade Runners (as an example) before they can attack/Strike which is significant, Other units of note that it can kill more quickly/effectively are Renegade Squadron, Chewbacca, Lando, Red Two, Rogue Two, Rogue Leader, etc etc..

Really the only faction that is relatively immune to Sight on their big guys is Jedi, since Luke and Kyle Katarn have the lowest force values at 3. Rebel and Smuggler both lose most of their more important units to this card alone.

She will be second only to Chewbacca.

You play Mara at 4, commit, and say "Your turn".

You are safe.

In isolation, Mara is much better.

The obvious use of Sariss is to use her ability to commit a threatening LS unit to the force that does not have Elite, forcing it to double focus. Cards like Han Solo (S&S), Blockade Runner, Luke Skywalker, Rogue Three, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker (Pilot), etc.

Mara seems like a better card overall, and a better turn one play. Sariss has a nice mid-game ability.

SW is the best place to find strong fem figures. I mean jesus Leia is just about the best princess there is she saves herself 90% of the time

The units on Force Lightning must be exhausted whereas the units for Sight must simply have 2 force Icons or less. They are both similar restrictions, but Sight can be equally powerful since you dont have to wait, it just happens. While Sight cannot kill many of the 3+-value heroes without help, it can kill Blockade Runners (as an example) before they can attack/Strike which is significant, Other units of note that it can kill more quickly/effectively are Renegade Squadron, Chewbacca, Lando, Red Two, Rogue Two, Rogue Leader, etc etc..

Actually, if you have Sariss' objective out, you can take out all those choice units with three force icons. Yoda and Obi-Wan are the only ones that are truly safe from Deadly Sight. Although it would take some work and a dozing opponent to take out the Falcon with it...

In isolation, Mara is much better.

The obvious use of Sariss is to use her ability to commit a threatening LS unit to the force that does not have Elite, forcing it to double focus. Cards like Han Solo (S&S), Blockade Runner, Luke Skywalker, Rogue Three, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker (Pilot), etc.

Mara seems like a better card overall, and a better turn one play. Sariss has a nice mid-game ability.

Commiting someone to the force is ok but it still says if able, so if 3 units are committed then the ability is useless. Also, there is the new fate card that lets you remove someone from the struggle, so even if you commit Luke/Han to the struggle they could be removed.

The units on Force Lightning must be exhausted whereas the units for Sight must simply have 2 force Icons or less. They are both similar restrictions, but Sight can be equally powerful since you dont have to wait, it just happens. While Sight cannot kill many of the 3+-value heroes without help, it can kill Blockade Runners (as an example) before they can attack/Strike which is significant, Other units of note that it can kill more quickly/effectively are Renegade Squadron, Chewbacca, Lando, Red Two, Rogue Two, Rogue Leader, etc etc..

Actually, if you have Sariss' objective out, you can take out all those choice units with three force icons. Yoda and Obi-Wan are the only ones that are truly safe from Deadly Sight. Although it would take some work and a dozing opponent to take out the Falcon with it...

Her objective only gives units that are committed to the force -1 force icons. So yes, if Yoda is committed to the force then he can be destroyed by Deadly Sight.

I can see the LS playing Self Preservation to combat Dealy Sight.

Commiting someone to the force is ok but it still says if able, so if 3 units are committed then the ability is useless. Also, there is the new fate card that lets you remove someone from the struggle, so even if you commit Luke/Han to the struggle they could be removed.

True, but then the LS player is using that ability to remove one of their own cards, and not one of your cards from the force struggle. Also, that fate card is nice with Sariss, since you can remove her from the force, and then re-commit her, perhaps making the LS player commit another target unit (i.e., one that they wouldn't want to otherwise).

I think mara will be the stronger card in the current sith decks, i think Sariss will be the new style of sith.

SW is the best place to find strong fem figures. I mean jesus Leia is just about the best princess there is she saves herself 90% of the time