Honestly, the "strategy" didn't really matter in my games. Either Cinder bricked for the whole match or I was screwed. Too many cards were outright unplayable, meaning I rarely had a choice in how to handle what I was given.
I think that if Marigold had the ability to swallow (exhaust) an enemy follower that was smaller than her and inheriting some of that follower's size, it COULD give give her just enough of an edge to compete with Cinder's rather exorbitant damage. Obviously, the cost would be higher as well.
As it stands now, though, Cinder really does just get too much without really "burning out" as her play style suggests is possible.