Gem Tiles are tiles with special abilities. They are introduced by Hephaestus in Chapter 6 of Book 1 and are earned by either making long, high-damage words, by defeating an enemy with overkill, or by winning one in a mini-game*. Here is a chart of all seven gem types with their colors, their damage boosts, and their special effects:
Gem Tile | Color | Damage Boost | Special Effects |
Topaz | Light brown | 10% | Nothing, but it was removed after a few Beta versions of the first game, so to this day, it is unknown if it was actually used. |
Amethyst | Pinkish-purple | 15% | Poisons the enemy for two turns**. [Effects can be negated by purification or immunity to poison] |
Emerald | Green | 20% | Increases Lex's health by two hearts***. |
Sapphire | Blue | 25% | Freezes enemy. [Effects can be negated by immunity to freeze] |
Garnet | Yellowish-orange | 30% | Powers down the enemy, thus causing their attacks to cause no health damage for two turns. [Effects can be negated by purification or powering up] |
Ruby | Red | 35% | Burns the enemy for three turns**. [Effects can be negated by purification or immunity to fire] |
Crystal | Pinkish-white | 50% | Purifies Lex, purifies the grid, and raises a shield that absorbs all health damage, effects, and ailments for one turn (makes Lex invincible for one turn)****. |
Diamond | White | 100% | Restores all health and gives Lex one of each potion type. |
*In Bookworm Adventures, there are treasures that increase gem frequency. In Bookworm Adventures, Vol. 2, there are treasures that randomly give you gem tiles.
**There are treasures in both Bookworm Adventures and Bookworm Adventures, Vol. 2 that can increase the amount of turns for poison and burn.
***There are treasures in both Bookworm Adventures and Bookworm Adventures, Vol. 2 that can increase the healing effect of Emerald gem tiles.
****In Bookworm Adventures, Vol. 2, the invincibility shield can absorb anything except stasis.
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Trivia[]
- The Crystal gem tile was the only way to see shields in Bookworm Adventures; in Bookworm Adventures, Vol. 2, shields are introduced for enemies.
- In the sequel, the gem power order changes, with Crystal being the strongest gem.
- Both a Ruby Tile (burning) and a Sapphire Tile (freezing) can effect an enemy at the same time.
- With the circumstances of earning gems, the Crystal gem is the rarest gem to earn.
- When you defeat an enemy with overkill, you will earn a gem for certain amounts of overkill. Here are the seven (or eight) levels of overkill and their corresponding gem tiles:
- Routed! (for the lost Topaz)
- Whomped! (for the Amethyst)
- Crushed! (for the Emerald)
- Vanquished! (for the Garnet)
- Destroyed! (for the Sapphire)
- Decimated! (for the Ruby)
- Obliterated! (for the Crystal)
- Annihilated! (for the Diamond)