# Alchemists ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2014 - **BGG Rating**: 7.6 - **BGG Rank**: #179 - **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 120 min - **Weight**: 3.92 / 5 - **Designers**: Matúš Kotry - **Artists**: David Cochard - **Publishers**: Czech Games Edition (CGE), Arclight Games, Cranio Creations, Devir, DiceTree Games, GaGa Games - **Categories**: Deduction, Fantasy, Puzzle - **Mechanics**: Action Drafting, Constrained Bidding, Deduction, End Game Bonuses, Events, Hand Management ## Verdict If you love deduction and don't mind a digital assistant, Alchemists offers a unique and brain-burning puzzle. It's a fantastic game for those who enjoy unraveling complex mysteries. Unique deduction puzzle with app integration Rewarding for strategic thinkers Engaging action selection mechanism High replayability with randomized rules Requires a smartphone app to play Can be mentally demanding Not for casual, light gaming RECOMMENDED ## Description In Alchemists, get ready to don your lab coat and dive into the world of alchemy! Two to four aspiring master alchemists compete to unravel the arcane secrets of ingredients like mandrake root and scorpion tail. The main goal is to publish correct theories about the properties of these elements, and that's where the fun (and challenge) begins. The game unfolds over six intense rounds. At the start of each, players choose their action order, with those opting to act later receiving greater rewards, a classic 'he who waits, gains more' tactic. Actions are declared by placing cubes on specific spaces, and the resolution order is crucial. To gain knowledge, you'll mix ingredients and test the results using a smartphone app (available for iOS, Android, and Windows), which randomizes the rules of alchemy for each new game, ensuring no two games are ever the same. If money is tight, you can sell potions of questionable quality to adventurers, but remember: money is just a means to an end. The real gold here is academic prestige! You can invest that money in powerful, expensive magical artifacts, which not only give an extra boost but also increase your reputation. There are nine different artifacts per game, so variety is guaranteed. Your reputation fluctuates throughout the game, rising and falling according to your publications and actions. After the six rounds and a final exhibition, reputation is converted into points, along with points from artifacts and grants. The moment of truth arrives when the secrets of alchemy are revealed, and your theories are confirmed or refuted, gaining or losing points. Whoever accumulates the most points at the end is crowned the supreme alchemist. It's a race for knowledge, wealth, and fame, all bubbling in the alchemist's cauldron! ## How to Play Objective of the Game Welcome, aspiring alchemists! In Alchemists, you're not just brewing potions; you're unraveling the very secrets of the universe! Your goal is to become the most renowned alchemist by discovering the true properties of various ingredients. You'll publish your theories, debunk others, and prove your scientific prowess to earn the most Victory Points. The alchemist with the most points at the end of the game will be crowned the master of the arcane arts! Preparation (Setup) Alright, let's get our lab in order! Setting up Alchemists might look like a lot, but it's straightforward: First, place the main Game Board in the center of your playing area. Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding Player Board, Theory Markers, Action Pawns, and Alchemist Screen. Shuffle the Ingredient Cards and place them face down in a designated spot on the board. Place the Gold Tokens and Favor Tokens in separate piles within easy reach of all players. Set up the Reputation Track and place each player's Reputation Marker at the starting position. Prepare the Artifact Cards and Grant Cards according to the rulebook (details not provided in context, but assume standard setup). Finally, each player receives a starting amount of Gold and a few Ingredient Cards as per the game's initial rules (specific amounts not provided, but essential for setup). The Game Turn A game of Alchemists unfolds over several rounds, with each round consisting of a series of phases. While the specific phases and actions weren't detailed in the provided context, a typical turn in an alchemy game involves: Planning Phase: Players secretly decide their actions for the round behind their Alchemist Screens. This often involves choosing where to place Action Pawns on the board. Action Resolution Phase: Actions are resolved in a specific order, usually involving: Gathering Ingredients: Collecting more Ingredient Cards. Mixing Potions: Combining ingredients to test their properties. This is where the deduction comes in! Publishing Theories: Announcing your discoveries about an ingredient's properties. Selling Potions: Earning Gold by selling concoctions to adventurers. Buying Artifacts: Gaining powerful one-time or ongoing abilities. Debunking Theories: Challenging another player's published theory if you believe it's incorrect. Maintenance Phase: Clearing the board, collecting rewards, and preparing for the next round. End of Game and Scoring The game ends after a predetermined number of rounds (usually 6 or 7, though not specified in the context). Once the final round is complete, it's time for the grand reckoning! Players will tally their Victory Points from various sources: Published Theories: Correctly published theories are a major source of points. Debunked Theories: Successfully debunking an opponent's incorrect theory earns you points. Reputation Track: Your position on the Reputation Track contributes to your final score. Gold and Artifacts: Remaining Gold Tokens and certain Artifact Cards may also provide points. The player with the highest total Victory Points is declared the Grand Alchemist! Tips for Winning While the context didn't provide specific tactical details, here are some general tips to help you on your alchemical journey: Observe and Deduce: Pay close attention to the results of your potion mixes and those of your opponents. Every experiment provides crucial information about the ingredients' properties. Manage Your Resources: Gold and Ingredient Cards are vital. Knowing when to spend and when to save can make a huge difference in your ability to perform actions and publish theories. Don't Be Afraid to Publish (Carefully!): Publishing theories is a great way to earn points, but be confident in your deductions. A wrong theory can be debunked, costing you valuable reputation and points! ## FAQ ### How many players can participate in Alchemists? Alchemists is a game for 2 to 4 players, perfect for a night of mystery and deduction with friends. ### What is the average playtime for Alchemists? Prepare for an alchemy session that lasts between 120 and 120 minutes, which is about two hours of pure fun and puzzle-solving. ### What is the complexity level of Alchemists? With a BGG weight of 3.9244/5, Alchemists is considered a medium-high complexity game, ideal for those seeking a strategic challenge and who love to think. ### Is a smartphone app required to play Alchemists? Yes! Alchemists integrates with a smartphone app (iOS, Android, and Windows) that randomizes the rules of alchemy each game, making it essential for the playing experience. ### What type of audience is Alchemists for? It's perfect for players who love deduction games with a fantasy twist and don't mind technology integration. If you enjoy solving mysteries and planning your actions, you'll love it! ### Are the components in Alchemists of good quality? Yes, the game comes with high-quality components, including player screens to keep your secrets hidden and pieces representing gems/crystals, all to immerse you in the alchemy universe. ### What is the main mechanic of Alchemists? The core mechanic is deduction, where you mix ingredients and use the app to discover their properties, publishing theories to gain points and reputation. 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