Alchemists is a strategy and deduction board game where players take on the roles of alchemists who compete to discover the secrets of mystical ingredients by brewing potions and publishing theories. Using a unique blend of logical deduction, strategy, and risk management, players try to gain the most reputation and become the most renowned alchemist.
Game Concept: Alchemists
Components
Game Board:
- Represents the alchemical workshop, including spaces for the various actions players can take each round.
Player Boards:
- Individual boards for each player, where they track ingredients, potions, and deductions about the properties of ingredients.
Ingredient Cards:
- Cards representing various mystical ingredients, each with unknown alchemical properties that players must deduce.
Potion Tokens:
- Tokens representing different types of potions (e.g., healing, poison), which players brew during the game.
Experiment Tokens:
- Tokens that players use to mark their experiments and progress in the game.
Deduction Grid:
- A grid on each player's board to track hypotheses and deductions about the ingredients' properties.
Grant Tokens:
- Used to mark financial grants players receive for their research.
Seal Tokens:
- Used by players to mark their endorsement or skepticism of published theories.
Publishing and Debunking Tokens:
- Tokens used to publish theories about ingredients or attempt to debunk other players' theories.
Gold Coins:
- The in-game currency used to purchase ingredients and perform certain actions.
Artifact Cards:
- Special cards that provide unique abilities or advantages when acquired.
Smartphone/Tablet App:
- An essential component of the game, used to scan ingredient cards and reveal the results of potion experiments (a web-based alternative is also available).
Setup
Board and Token Setup:
- Place the game board in the center of the table. Distribute ingredient cards, potion tokens, and artifact cards according to the setup instructions.
- Place the grant tokens, seal tokens, and gold coins in a supply next to the board.
Player Setup:
- Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding player board, deduction grid, and experiment tokens.
- Players receive a set of starting ingredients, a set amount of gold, and one artifact card.
App Setup:
- Ensure that the smartphone/tablet app is installed and set up correctly. This app is used to scan ingredients and receive results for potion experiments.
Determine Starting Player:
- Choose the starting player randomly or using another agreed-upon method.
Gameplay Overview
Alchemists is played over six rounds, with each round consisting of several phases where players take actions to gather ingredients, brew potions, experiment, publish theories, and more. At the end of the sixth round, the player with the most reputation points wins.
Phases of a Round
Planning Phase:
- Players place their action cubes on the game board to plan their actions for the round. Actions include gathering ingredients, brewing potions, publishing theories, debunking other players' theories, and more.
Actions Phase:
- In turn order, players perform their planned actions:
- Gather Ingredients: Collect ingredients from the supply to use in experiments.
- Brew Potions: Combine two ingredients and use the app to determine the potion's result.
- Test Potions: Test potions on students (for free) or on themselves (at the risk of a penalty).
- Sell Potions: Sell brewed potions to adventurers for gold and reputation points.
- Publish Theories: Publish theories about the alchemical properties of ingredients to gain reputation.
- Debunk Theories: Attempt to debunk other players' theories to gain reputation and discredit opponents.
Experimentation and Deduction:
- Using the app, players scan ingredient cards to perform experiments and deduce the ingredients' properties. Players use their deduction grids to track possible and confirmed properties of ingredients.
End of Round:
- After all actions are completed, the round ends. Players prepare for the next round by resetting action cubes and preparing for the next round's actions.
Scoring and End Game
Reputation Points:
- Players gain reputation points for publishing correct theories, successfully selling potions, acquiring artifacts, and through other in-game actions.
Final Scoring:
- After the sixth round, players reveal the true alchemical properties of all ingredients. Players then gain or lose points based on the accuracy of their published theories.
- Players tally their final reputation points, and the player with the highest total wins the game.
Rules
Using the App:
- The app is used to determine the results of potion experiments. Players scan the ingredient cards, and the app reveals the potion's outcome, helping players deduce the properties of ingredients.
Brewing Potions:
- Players combine two ingredients to brew a potion. The app indicates the potion's effect (e.g., healing, poison) and the players use this information to update their deduction grid.
Publishing Theories:
- Players can publish a theory about the properties of an ingredient. Other players can endorse or challenge these theories. Correct theories grant reputation points, while incorrect ones can lead to penalties.
Debunking:
- Players can attempt to debunk another player's theory if they believe it to be incorrect. Successfully debunking a theory grants reputation points and discredits the opponent.
Testing on Self:
- Players can choose to test potions on themselves instead of students. This is riskier but grants more information for deduction.
FAQ
What if I disagree with the app's result during potion brewing?
- The app is designed to provide accurate results based on the game's logic. Ensure that you have scanned the correct ingredients. The app result is final.
Can I change a theory after it's published?
- No, once a theory is published, it remains on the board. However, other players can attempt to debunk it if they believe it to be incorrect.
What happens if I test a harmful potion on myself?
- If you test a harmful potion on yourself, you may face a penalty (e.g., losing an action in the next round). This risk must be weighed against the potential information gained.
How does the deduction grid work?
- The deduction grid is used to track your hypotheses about each ingredient's properties. Use it to mark possible and confirmed properties as you perform experiments.
Can I publish multiple theories in a single round?
- Yes, as long as you have the necessary resources and meet the requirements to publish a theory, you can publish multiple theories in a single round.
Can I sell the same potion to multiple adventurers?
- No, each adventurer requires a specific potion. Once a potion is sold to an adventurer, it cannot be sold again.
What happens if a theory is debunked?
- If a theory is debunked, the player who published it loses reputation points, and the player who debunked it gains reputation points.
Do I have to use the app?
- Yes, the app is an essential component of the game, as it provides the results for potion experiments and drives the deduction process.
How are artifacts used?
- Artifacts provide unique abilities or advantages that can be used throughout the game. Some grant additional actions, while others offer special scoring opportunities.
Can I test potions without risking penalties?
- Yes, you can test potions on students instead of yourself. However, testing on students provides less information than testing on yourself.
Alchemists is a complex and immersive game that combines strategic planning, deduction, and a bit of risk-taking. The use of a digital app for potion experiments adds a unique layer of interactivity, making each game a different experience. Players must carefully manage their resources, plan their actions, and use logical deduction to uncover the secrets of alchemy and become the most renowned alchemist.