Greek · No. 093

Spartan Phalanx

Inspired by: The phalanx, the battle formation of Greek hoplites, famous above all for Spartan discipline.

Spartan Phalanx
Each shield protects the man beside it.
Rarity
Common
Category
Spell
Effect
Your Warrior monsters gain +400 ATK and DEF.

The myth

The phalanx is not a myth but a real tactic of ancient Greece. Hoplites formed tight ranks, eight or more men deep, each with a spear and a great round shield. The shield covered the soldier's own left side and his comrade's right, and the formation's strength depended on no one breaking the line. The Spartans, trained from childhood, were the masters of this discipline. In 480 BCE at Thermopylae, a small force led by the Spartan king Leonidas held back the Persian army for days.

Why it has this power

A Common spell that gives 400 ATK and DEF to all your Warriors on the field for as long as they remain there. It is the strength of the line: each shield protects the man beside it. It shines in a deck full of Greek Warriors such as hoplites, Theseus, Jason and Heracles.

Did you know

Thucydides notes that phalanxes tended to drift to the right, because each soldier sought the cover of his neighbor's shield.

Connections

  • In Nikos the Young Hoplite's deck
  • In Elena, Huntress of Artemis's deck
  • In Kassandra, Daughter of the Oracle's deck
  • In Damon, Trireme Captain's deck
  • In Theron, Priest of the Underworld's deck
  • In Aristeia, Champion of Olympus's deck

Where to get it

  • Daily Offering: 0% per pack (Common 64% per card)
  • Welcome Pack: 0.97% per pack (Common 70% per card)
  • Traveler's Pack: 0.88% per pack · 5.2% in the themed pack (Common 64% per card)
  • Bronze Reliquary: 0.86% per pack · 5.1% in the themed pack (Common 62% per card)
  • Silver Reliquary: 0.67% per pack · 4% in the themed pack (Common 49% per card)
  • Golden Reliquary: 0.46% per pack · 2.7% in the themed pack (Common 33% per card)
  • Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.69% of days · 150 gold
  • Craft with card dust: 40 dust
  • Crossing of Myths: Can be offered as a reward during a crossing (the card stays in the crossing deck).

Sources

  1. The Greek Phalanx (World History Encyclopedia) — Joshua J. Mark
  2. Hoplite: The Key Infantry Soldier of Ancient Greece (World History Encyclopedia) — Mark Cartwright
  3. Ancient Greek Warfare (World History Encyclopedia) — Mark Cartwright