How to Play Potion Rush

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

1. Separate the Potions by type (Luck, Mana, Healing, Energy, Chromatic).
2. Shuffle the Ingredient, Artifact, and Spell cards to form the draw pile. Set aside a space for the discard pile.
3. Place the Cauldron Marker in view (used with the Magic Trap card).
4. Choose the first player (suggestion: whoever created/drank the weirdest beverage).
5. 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.