# Side Effects: Booster Shot

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2023
- **BGG Rating**: 7.6
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-8
- **Duration**: 10-30 min
- **Weight**: —
- **Designers**: Jade Shames, Jen Igartua, Kat Thek
- **Publishers**: Pillbox Games, TTGames CZ
- **Categories**: Card Game, Expansion for Base-game, Mature / Adult, Party Game
- **Mechanics**: Take That

## Verdict
Essential for those who own the base game and want more chaos and twists in their matches. The game becomes more unpredictable and funny.New cards bring fresh dynamicsIncreases player interactivityMaintains the acidic and fun toneEasy to integrate with the originalRequires the base game to playCan make matches last longerRECOMMENDED

## Description
You know that total chaos where you try to fix your own mind while throwing a wrench into your friends' mental gears? That's the spirit of Side Effects, and Booster Shot arrives to inject even more adrenaline into this madness. If you already enjoy the base game's dynamic, where the race is to treat all your psychic disorders using various therapies and substances, get ready, because this expansion raises the stakes.

Booster Shot isn't just 'more of the same.' It introduces new Disorder, Drug, and action cards that shift the table's dynamics. In practical terms, what does this mean? More ways to mess with your opponents' lives and new layers of strategy (or lack thereof) for those aiming for victory. The experience remains that visceral 'Take That' style, where friendships are tested every single round. If you felt the matches were becoming predictable, this expansion pack fixes that quickly, adding functionalities that make plot twists more frequent and unpredictable.

It's the perfect complement for those who enjoy party games with adult themes, where acidic humor and aggressive competitiveness dominate. You'll find new combinations of side effects and absurd situations that turn the table into a veritable asylum. Just remember that, as an expansion, you need the base game to play. If you already own the original and want to make the matches more intense, Booster Shot is the way to go. It's more pain, more pleasure, and much more mental confusion for everyone. Who will manage to regain sanity first while the rest of the group completely collapses?

## How to Play
Game Objective  
Refer to the manual for details on this section.  

Setup  
Refer to the manual for details on this section.  

Game Flow  
Refer to the manual for details on this section.  

Actions and How to Play  
The game includes various action cards with specific effects. Each can be used at different times and with its own rules:  

Action Cards  
  
  PLACEBO: Use in 2 ways:  
      
      Place this card over any untreated Disorder card to protect it from Episodes for 1 round (does not count as completed treatment).  
      Play it when an Episode occurs to nullify it (discard it afterward).  
      
    Tip: The Placebo can treat any Disorder, but it is fragile — if an Episode hits another of your Disorders, discard it.  
    

  MUNCHAUSEN BY PROXY: Give any Disorder to another player (except if they already have that Disorder).  

  CABINET OF REMEDIES: Take any card from the discard pile.  

  REPLENISHMENT: Shuffle the discard pile into the draw pile, then draw cards until you have 6 in your Hand.  

  HIGH TOLERANCE: Remove a Drug card from another player's Psyche.  

  MISDIAGNOSIS: Swap a Disorder from your Psyche with one from your Hand.  

  FOLIE À DEUX: Make a recent Episode affect another player. Can be played outside your turn.  
  

End of Game and Scoring  
Refer to the manual for details on this section.  

Tips to Win  
  
  Use the Placebo strategically: it can block Episodes, but it is temporary and vulnerable.  
  FOLIE À DEUX is powerful outside your turn — share negative effects with opponents.  
  Combat others' Drugs with HIGH TOLERANCE to weaken them.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to play?
Yes! Booster Shot is an expansion, so you must own the original Side Effects to use these cards.

### Is the game suitable for children?
Not at all. The game has adult themes, dealing with drugs and mental disorders with acidic humor. It's for adults only.

### How long does a match last with the expansion?
It remains fast, between 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of players and the level of chaos at the table.

### How many people can play?
From 2 to 8 players; the more people, the greater the confusion and the fun.

### Does the expansion change the rules significantly?
It doesn't change the basic rules, it just adds new cards and functionalities that expand the gameplay possibilities.

## Price Comparison
### Best Offers in Brazil
- **Amazon**: R$ 153,60 (https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B0CGFZ4RWX?tag=bgbot26b-20&linkCode=as2)
- **Rejoga**: R$ 220,00 (/partner/go.php?p=rejoga&g=4531&u=https%3A%2F%2Frejoga.com.br%2Fanuncio%2Ffdac2bbe-e2f1-48a2-a480-089f4bb77baf%3Forigem%3Dboardgamesbot)
  - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/side-effects-booster-shot