Thorn HedgeGrows a hedge on an empty middle square that your opponent cannot enter for 3 turns.
GreeceGaia
Greece · Style Growth
GaiaThe mother of the world
Gaia blocks paths with thorn hedges, brings captured pawns back and even revives fallen pieces. The goddess for patient defenders.
Blocks paths with hedges and revives the fallen. For patient defenders.
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Who is Gaia?
Mother Earth protects, blocks paths and brings the fallen back.
Gaia is the earth itself. She is older than all the other gods, and it shows: she has time. Lots of it. Gaia rarely attacks. But whoever tramples through her garden suddenly faces a thorn hedge, or a tree that was definitely not there a moment ago. And whatever has fallen, she simply lets grow back. Mothers, really.
Before the first move, Gaia hides the Root trap on the board. If your opponent moves onto the square, a tree grows: his move is canceled and the square stays blocked for him forever. It does not trigger while he is in check.
Powers
Gaia's three powers
Every move earns 1 favor, every captured piece adds its value on top. Instead of moving, you use a power. After that it needs a few moves before it is ready again.
- Thorn Hedge
Grows a hedge on an empty middle square that your opponent cannot enter for 3 turns.
- Rebirth
Brings a captured pawn of yours back to your second rank.
- Mother Earth
Ultimate power: Brings a captured rook, bishop or knight of yours back to your back rank.
In mythology
Who was Gaia really?
In Greek mythology Gaia is the earth itself and one of the oldest deities of all. According to the poet Hesiod she came into being right after Chaos and brought forth from herself the sky Uranus, the mountains and the sea. With Uranus she had the Titans, the Cyclopes and the Hundred-Handed Ones. Because Uranus kept their children trapped inside her, Gaia made a sickle and gave it to her son Cronus, who used it to overthrow his father. The Greeks honored her as the mother of all living things, who feeds everything and takes everything back. In the game she becomes a goddess who blocks paths with plants and lets fallen pieces grow back.
Tactics
How to win with Gaia
Block the center with thorns
Thorn Hedge grows on an empty central square. Block a key square in the middle and your opponent cannot use it for three turns.
Trade pawns without worry
Rebirth returns a captured pawn to your second rank. Trade pawns freely and you will still have extras for the endgame.
Trade first, then revive
Mother Earth works once per game. Trade off a rook first, then bring it back to your back rank for 25 favor and you are a piece up.
Roots in front of your camp
The Root trap closes its square to your opponent for good. Hide it where his pieces want to invade your camp, such as a tempting outpost.
Quips
Gaia has something to say about everything
Everything grows. My patience too. Mostly.
at the startWeeds must go, dear.
when capturingPut down some roots, dear.
when the trap snapsCheckmate. Herbal tea, anyone?
after a win
Every mythology has a god of the Growth style: Osiris and Freyja play a similar game with very different powers.
HermesCunning and deceit
Greece
ApolloTime and foresight
Greece
AthenaProtection and strategy
Greece
Good to know
Questions about Gaia
The download is free. Beat Gaia three times and Gaia joins your side. Otherwise the only way to buy is the Key of the Gods, which unlocks every god.
The ultimate power Mother Earth. It costs 25 favor, works only once per game and does this: Brings a captured rook, bishop or knight of yours back to your back rank.
Every mythology has one god for the Growth style. Besides Gaia, these are Osiris (Egypt) and Freyja (The North).
24: eight each from Greece, Egypt and the North, each with a play style of their own. Zeus is playable right away, Gaia and Hermes join you after three wins.