# Potion Explosion: The Fifth Ingredient ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2017 - **BGG Rating**: 7.5 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 2) - **Duration**: 30-60 min - **Weight**: 1.95 / 5 - **Designers**: Andrea Crespi, Lorenzo Silva, Stefano Castelli - **Artists**: Giulia Ghigini - **Publishers**: Horrible Guild, BoardM Factory, Edge Entertainment, Ghenos Games, Heidelberger Spieleverlag, Hobby Japan, Rebel Sp. z o.o. - **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy, Puzzle - **Mechanics**: Pattern Recognition, Set Collection, Take That ## Verdict Perfect for base game owners seeking more chaos; the wild card ingredient shifts the game's pace.Ectoplasm works as a brilliant wild cardNew professors refresh the strategyMore variety of available potionsKeeps the base game's simplicityRequires the base game to playIncreases gameplay randomnessRECOMMENDED ## Description Get your cauldrons ready because the Horribilorum Sorcery Academy is turning things up a notch! In Potion Explosion: The Fifth Ingredient, potion class just got a lot spookier with the introduction of Ghost Ectoplasm. If you thought mixing ingredients was already fun, things just got serious: this new component acts as a wild card, allowing you to complete your recipes much more flexibly and, of course, trigger even more chaotic explosions on the table. But it's not just the ectoplasm shaking things up. The expansion introduces new Professors who dramatically change the way potions are brewed, forcing players to adapt their strategies on the fly. Additionally, new potions are added to the menu, diversifying the combinations and making the fight for the title of best alchemist even more intense. The game maintains its core focus on pattern recognition and set collection, but with an added layer of unpredictability. It's the perfect dose for those who already love the base game and want to add more depth and fun without overcomplicating the rules. If you enjoy watching your friends desperately trying to organize their ingredients while you drop some ectoplasm into the mix, this expansion is a must-have. More chaos, more magic, and definitely more explosions for your game night! ## How to Play Game Objective In Potion Explosion: The Fifth Ingredient, players are alchemy students attempting to create magical potions. The objective is to complete Potions by combining Ingredients of specific colors to score points. This expansion introduces new elements such as Wild Ingredients, Reward and Punishment Tokens, and Professor Tiles that modify the basic rules. The game ends when a player completes their fifth potion, and the player with the most points after accounting for rewards and penalties wins. Preparation (Setup) Choose 6 Potions (mixing those from the base game and the 4 new ones from this expansion). Place the Creepy Cauldron in front of the Dispenser and the Wild Ingredients inside it. Select 1 Professor Tile (randomly or deliberately) and place it visible to all. Leave the Reward and Punishment Tokens next to the professor tile. Distribute components according to the base manual (consult the manual for details on this section). Game Flow The game follows the basic flow of Potion Explosion, with alternating turns where players: Collect Ingredients from the Dispenser, potentially causing chain Explosions. Use the ingredients to complete Potions. Apply effects of already completed Potions (if any). Follow the additional rules of the chosen Professor Tile. The expansion adds interactions with the Creepy Cauldron and ingredient exchanges using Wild Ingredients. Actions and How to Play New Expansion Mechanics Wild Ingredients (Ghost Ectoplasm): Act as wildcards. Can be treated as any color at any time. Creepy Cauldron: Allows exchanging ingredients from your hand for Wild Ingredients, earning Reward Tokens. Reward/Punishment Tokens: Each is worth +1 or -1 point at the end, respectively. New Potions Fermented Feather Touch: Take 2+ adjacent ingredients of the same color (without causing explosions). Chameleon Varnish: Choose a color from your hand to be treated as another (except white). Creepy Touch: Exchange 1 ingredient from your hand for 1 from the Cauldron (+1 Reward Token). Poltergeist Sweet: Steal 1 ingredient from another player and exchange it for 1 from the Cauldron (+1 Reward Token). Professor Rules Each Professor Tile modifies the game in a unique way. Examples: Anxious O’Clockitt: Time limit per turn (90 seconds). If time runs out, gain a Punishment Token. Gravitha TidyGall: If you assemble potions "top to bottom," gain a Punishment Token. Consult the manual for details on the other professors. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when a player completes their fifth Potion. Then: Count points from completed Potions. Add 1 point for each Reward Token. Subtract 1 point for each Punishment Token. The player with the most points wins. In case of a tie, the first player to complete the fifth potion wins. Tips for Winning Use Wild Ingredients wisely: They can help complete difficult potions or create larger chain explosions. Keep an eye on the Cauldron: Exchanging ingredients there can earn extra Reward Tokens. Adapt to the Professor: Each requires different strategies (e.g., avoiding knocking over ingredients or assembling potions in the correct order). ## FAQ ### Do I need the base game to play? Yes! This is an expansion, so you must own Potion Explosion to use these new components. ### Does it make the game much harder? Not really. The complexity remains low (weight ~1.9), but the new professor rules add new strategic layers. ### What does the Ectoplasm actually do? It acts as a wild card, making it easier to complete potions and triggering more interesting explosions. ### How many players can play? 2 to 4 players, following the same player count as the original game. ### Does the game time increase significantly? No, games remain fast, typically lasting between 30 and 60 minutes. ## Price Comparison ### Best Offers in Brazil - **Pouso Cultural**: R$ 441,00 (https://www.pousocultural.com.br/jogo-potion-exolosion-el-quinto-ingrediente-expansao-em-espanhol-lacrado?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/potion-explosion-the-fifth-ingredient ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 17.40 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4916718&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 17.82 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1664409&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 19.51 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3922913&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 22.10 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6723013&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 23.09 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4082288&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.49 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4886971&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.77 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=7049774&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 26.34 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=814019&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 27.94 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6917411&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 29.26 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1015662&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/20141/potion-explosion-the-fifth-ingredient?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com