> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://scroll.pocketninja.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://scroll.pocketninja.xyz/ninja-chess/ninja-powers.md).
# Ninja Powers
### **Power Selection & Balance**
In **NinjaChess**, players are not limited to standard chess tactics—**Ninja Powers** introduce an entirely new strategic dimension. Before each match, **both players secretly choose three powers** from the available pool. However, to maintain **fairness and unpredictability**, the game **randomly selects three powers from the combined six**, ensuring that **both players have the exact same set of abilities** for the match.
This system ensures that no player has an unfair advantage while keeping matches fresh and dynamic. At launch, NinjaChess introduces **six core powers**, but this is only the beginning—**more will be added over time**, offering new layers of strategy and deception.
***
### **Current Ninja Powers**
Each power can be activated **before making a move**, allowing players to manipulate the battlefield in unique ways. However, every power has a **cooldown** after use, requiring careful planning and resource management.
### 1. 🧠 **chAtoshI**
{% hint style="info" %}
*AI Assistance*
{% endhint %}
**Effect:**
* Call on chAtoshI to make a move for you. A chess grandmaster in code—but blind to ninja elements.
**Strategic Use:**
* Get expert help when you're unsure of your next move or need a tactical boost.
**Limitations:**
* ❌ Doesn’t account for stuns, traps, or shields.
* ⚠️ Use wisely—chAtoshI sees the board, not the battlefield.
{% embed url="" %}
***
### 2. 💫 **Stun Shuriken**
{% hint style="info" %}
*Temporary Immobilization*
{% endhint %}
**Effect:**
* Throw a Stun Shuriken to freeze an enemy piece for several moves.
**Strategic Use:**
* Disrupt an attack or stall a powerful piece to regain control.
**Limitations:**
* ❌ Cannot target the King
{% embed url="" %}
***
### 3. 🪤 **Spine Trap**
{% hint style="info" %}
*Area Denial*
{% endhint %}
**Effect:**
* Place a hidden trap on an empty square. Enemy pieces that step on it get trapped for several moves.
**Strategic Use:**
* Control space, funnel movement, and punish reckless plays.
**Limitations:**
* 🚫 Only activates when an enemy piece steps on the trapped tile.
{% embed url="" %}
***
### 4. 🌫️ **Vanishing Smoke**
{% hint style="info" %}
*Stealth & Deception*
{% endhint %}
**Effect:**
* Shroud an allied piece in smoke, making it invisible for a few turns. Still active and deadly—but hidden.
**Strategic Use:**
* Set up ambushes, hide key pieces, or create misdirection.
**Limitations:**
* 👁️ Still vulnerable—if the opponent stumbles onto its square, it’s gone.
{% embed url="" %}
***
### 5. 🍶 **Sake Haze**
{% hint style="info" %}
*Counter-Intelligence*
{% endhint %}
**Effect:**
* Drench the board in Sake Haze, clouding chAtoshI’s mind and reducing its AI strength temporarily.
**Strategic Use:**
* Throw off opponents relying on chAtoshI's expert plays.
**Limitations:**
* 🧠 Only affects opponents actively using chAtoshI.
{% embed url="" %}
***
### 6. 🛡️ **Magic Shield**
{% hint style="info" %}
*Defensive Protection*
{% endhint %}
**Effect:**
* Wrap an allied piece in a protective shield that blocks all enemy powers for a few turns.
**Strategic Use:**
* Protect key pieces from being stunned, trapped, or manipulated.
**Limitations:**
* ⚔️ Only defends against powers—not regular captures.
{% embed url="" %}
***
### 7. 🪨 **Iron Stance**
{% hint style="info" %}
*Temporary Invulnerability*
{% endhint %}
**Effect:**
* Fortify a piece to become uncapturable for a few moves.
**Strategic Use:**
* Buy time, stand your ground, or force a play without fear of loss.
**Limitations:**
* 🌀 Still vulnerable to effects like stuns, traps, and more.
{% embed url="" %}
***
### **How Ninja Powers Transform Gameplay**
With **Ninja Powers**, traditional chess evolves into a game of **unpredictability, deception, and advanced strategic depth**. Players must not only master chess fundamentals but also anticipate **hidden threats, manipulate positioning, and time their abilities wisely**. The **selection process ensures fairness**, while the **growing roster of abilities** keeps every battle fresh and engaging.
Whether you choose to **strike with precision, deceive your opponent, or fortify your defenses**, your mastery of these powers will determine your fate in the **shadowy world of NinjaChess**.