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Principia (🍎) completes the Unity–Echelon cycle of “Breakers-matter Breakers” (from System Gateway).

For example, if you already have the Decoder and Killer installed, then the Fracter costs 2[$] (like Gauss); or even less, if you have an empty Propeller around too. Otherwise, it can still cost 4[$] (like Pressure Spike).

BTW, I like the (Programs trashed as part of installing this program don’t count.) reminder text, especially for a core set.

Flavor-wise, “On the shoulders of giants.” refers to This program costs 1[$] less to install for each other installed icebreaker.: the more Galileo’s and Ibn al-Haytham’s who came before, the easier “Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica” was for Newton to come up with (apocryphally, after getting bonked on the head with an apple, as in the artwork).

The concept of this fracter is fun.

Check out D4v1d-Gr43b3r review for mechanics and flavor.

At 2 for +2 strength, Principia does not boost well. Which is why it benefits from help by GAMEDRAGON™ Pro or Leech. Otherwise, it is not that bad, because it will at most cost you one extra credit to break an ice, for uneven strength ices.

But Principia works very well has an economic card, when used with “Knickknack” O’Brian. By mid game, Principia will cost 0 to install (or even in the early game, if used with DZMZ Optimizer) and can be fed to “Knickknack” O’Brian for 4 and a card, giving the same credit gain as Sure Gamble.

And if you trash multiple copies of Principia in this manner, then it can also combine with Rising Tide to get it boosted.

Using their own breaker as an economy engine is a very shaper way to go.

Of note, if you can install a strength 2 fracter for 0, it is worthwhile, because no other fracter would as good for the same cost.

The art is evocative of its name, with the reference to Principia Mathematica, with a quote subtle reference to the effect of the card. Cool design.