Growth Psynergy series

Growth, Mad Growth, and Wild Growth are a series of Venus attack Psynergy featured throughout the Golden Sun series. Although the character can acquire them just outside of the first town in each game, those unfamiliar with the Djinn mechanic may not find this available. It is available to the Brute Class series (Brute onwards) and both Seer Class series (Mercury and Jupiter). As such, this Psynergy is available to any character, provided the correct Djinn combination. In the E3 2010 demo, Growth appears again in Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, once again filling its role as a utility Psynergy. The first ability in the line is always accessible to Matthew, regardless of class, however, he must be in the Brute class to learn the other two abilities. The entire series is also available to Himi in her Miko class series.



Psynergy spells
Growth: “Attack with wild plants.”: This costs 4 Psynergy Points, has a base power of 25 and has a range of one target. A few thorny vines erupt from the ground and through the foe. It is available at level 1 for Brute classes, level 2 for Miko classes, and level 3 for Seer classes. The manual to the North American version of The Lost Age incorrectly names this Psynergy "Grow" in some instances.

Mad Growth: “Attack with ferocious plants.”: This costs 10 Psynergy Points, has a base power of 60, and has a range of three targets. A group of thorny vines erupt from the ground and through the foes for a short time. It is available at level 12 for all classes.

Wild Growth: “Attack with giant plants.”: This costs 19 Psynergy Points, has a base power of 110, and has a range of five targets. A large tangle of thorny vines erupt from the ground and through the foes for an extended time. It is available at level 28 for Brutes and the Miko classes and level 29 for Seers.

Growth as a Utility Psynergy
The first of the Growth series Psynergies can be utilized on small plants to cause them to grow into tall vines, which Isaac, Felix, or Matthew can then climb to reach new areas. Another use in The Lost Age is to navigate the maze within Gaia Rock leading to the Serpent, where the player can use Growth on the plants to see which way to go. If not used on a plant, Growth works much like in battle, but as it is deprived of a target, it is effectively useless.

In Dark Dawn, Growth's range is expanded so that Matthew no longer has to stand directly in front of the plant to use the Psynergy. Growth-related puzzles are more frequent, so it is useful that Matthew can use Growth regardless of what class he is in. In Belinsk Ruins, Growth is used in several puzzles as a representative for the element of Venus.

Analysis
As far as basic series go, the Growth series could be considered the staple area-of-effect Venus Psynergy. Early in the game, it can serve as an effective combat tool, but later in the game, Grand Gaia is generally considered more effective than Wild Growth. However, Wild Growth is obtained almost twice as early as Grand Gaia, level-wise, and can still serve well up until then.

For the Miko class, the Growth series is generally the weakest and cheapest offensive Psynergy available. However, by the time Himi joins the party, she will have already learned Roaring Dragon, which is both stronger and cheaper PP-wise than Wild Growth. Thus the series is not likely to see much use.