# Potion Rush ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2025 - **BGG Rating**: — - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2-6 - **Duration**: 20 min - **Weight**: — - **Publishers**: MagicLeaf Games - **Categories**: Fantasy - **Mechanics**: Set Collection, Take That ## Verdict If you love fast, trash‑talky card duels, Potion Rush will hook you instantly.Constant interactionHigh replay valueShort play timeCard draw luck mattersLimited deep strategyRECOMMENDED ## Description Ready your cauldrons, witches and wizards, because the annual showdown of Witch Valley's master alchemists is about to kick off! In Potion Rush, you and 1‑5 friends take turns performing a single action each round: draw cards to hunt for ingredients, combine those ingredients into potions, or play artifacts that speed up your hunt or even steal cards from rivals. The real spice lies in the spells – you can cast them at any moment to mess with the leader, swap cards, or shield your own progress. The win condition is straightforward yet tense: be the first to brew three or four potions, either all of the same type or all different, depending on your game plan. Set Collection drives you to watch the ingredients you need, while the Take That element ensures the game never gets boring – each player holds cards that can flip the board in their favor or against an opponent. The artwork is bright and lively, featuring bubbling cauldrons, magical creatures and quirky artifacts, reinforcing the fantasy‑alchemy vibe. Rules are short, easy to memorize and a typical play lasts about 20 minutes, making it perfect for quick sessions or as a warm‑up before a longer game. Despite the speed, strategic depth emerges in choosing between a homogenous potion set or a varied one for bonus points, and in deciding when to unleash offensive or defensive spells. If you love fast‑paced card games with heavy interaction and a witch/alchemy theme, Potion Rush delivers plenty of fun and replay value. ## How to Play Game Objective In Potion Rush, you and your friends compete as master alchemists in Witch Valley, racing to collect Ingredients, brew Potions, and use Artifacts and Spells to hinder your opponents. The goal is to be the first to complete a set of potions: 3 or 4 potions (depending on the number of players), all of the same type or all different types. The Chromatic Potion acts as a wildcard to complete the set. Setup Separate the Potions by type (Luck, Mana, Healing, Energy, Chromatic). Shuffle the Ingredient, Artifact, and Spell cards to form the draw pile. Set aside a space for the discard pile. Place the Cauldron Marker in view (used with the Magic Trap card). Choose the first player (suggestion: whoever created/drank the weirdest beverage). Deal 5 cards to each player: 1 Ingredient, 1 Artifact, 1 Spell, and 2 random cards from the draw pile. Note: This is the setup for the Standard Mode. Refer to the manual for details on Orders Mode or Quick Play. Game Flow Players take turns in clockwise order. On your turn, you can: Draw a card from the pile. Use an Artifact (except Pumpkin Bomb, which stays in hand). Brew potions (1 or 2 per action). Pass your turn. Spells can be cast at any time, even outside your turn. Reaction Spells (like Cancelation) must be used immediately after an opponent plays an Artifact or Spell, before the effect is resolved. Actions and How to Play Turn Actions Draw a card: Take the top card from the draw pile and add it to your hand. Use an Artifact: Place it on the table and apply its effect. It goes to the discard pile after use. Brew potions: 2 identical Ingredients → 1 Potion of the corresponding type. 3 identical Ingredients → 2 Potions of the corresponding type. 4 different Ingredients → 1 Chromatic Potion (if available). Note: The Doubling Pestle allows brewing 1 Potion with just 1 Ingredient. Spells Can be used at any time. Some have instant effects, while Magic Trap, Freeze, and Time Reversal take longer to resolve. Example reaction: using Cancelation to nullify an Artifact before its effect is applied. End Game and Scoring The game ends when a player achieves: 3 Potions (all identical or all different) in 5-6 player games. 4 Potions (all identical or all different) in 2-4 player games. The Chromatic Potion counts as a wildcard to complete the set. The first to meet this condition wins immediately. Winning Tips Use Reaction Spells at the right moment: Nullify opponents' Artifacts or Spells before their effects resolve (e.g., Cancelation against Doubling Pestle). Prioritize the Chromatic Potion: It's versatile and can substitute any Potion to complete your winning set. Monitor the draw pile: Use Magic Trap to block opponents' draws or Dodge to bypass the block. ## FAQ ### How many players can join? 2 to 6 players, with optional solo rules for a single player. ### How long does a game take? About 20 minutes, usually ranging from 15 to 25 minutes depending on player count. ### What’s the rule complexity? Low to medium – the core is easy to grasp, but timing your spells adds strategic depth. ### What components are included? Ingredient, Potion, Artifact and Spell cards, scoring markers, and a concise rulebook. ### Who is the game best suited for? Fans of quick card duels, fantasy/alchemy themes, and games with a lot of player interaction.