# The Quacks of Quedlinburg: The Herb Witches

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2019
- **BGG Rating**: 8.0
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 45 min
- **Weight**: 2.01 / 5
- **Designers**: Wolfgang Warsch
- **Artists**: Dennis Lohausen
- **Publishers**: Schmidt Spiele, 999 Games, CMYK, Compaya.hu: Gamer Café Kft., Devir, G3, Korea Boardgames, Lavka Games, Meeple, MINDOK, North Star Games, LLC, Swan Panasia Co., Ltd., YellowBOX
- **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Medieval
- **Mechanics**: Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Push Your Luck

## Verdict
A must-have for owners of the base game who want more players and more variety in their brews.Increases player count to 5Witch abilities add strategic depthNew ingredients refresh the experienceKeeps the base game's simplicityRequires the base game to playModerate language dependency for cardsHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
If you already enjoy the tension of trying not to blow up your cauldron in Quedlinburg, get ready, because The Herb Witches have arrived to stir things up! This expansion isn't just a small add-on; it injects a generous dose of variety and strategy into the base game, enhancing the thrill of pulling ingredients from your bag.

The biggest highlight is the introduction of the Witches. These characters bring unique special abilities that can be used once per game, providing a strategic nudge (or a bit of sabotage) that can shift the tide of the round. Furthermore, ingredient variety is boosted with new recipe books, ensuring that every game requires different adaptations. For those who love a bit of chaos, there's the Locoweed—a new ingredient whose value isn't fixed but depends on its specific ability, adding a delicious layer of unpredictability.

But the best part for the group is the inclusion of black player components. Now, nobody has to be left out: the table expands to accommodate up to 5 players! That means more people testing their luck, more exploding cauldrons, and much more laughter. If you already love the 'push your luck' dynamics of the original game, The Herb Witches expand the possibilities without overcomplicating the rules, keeping the essence light and competitive. It's the perfect upgrade for those who want to breathe new life into their game and invite that one friend who always missed out due to a lack of player colors.

## How to Play
Objective of the Game
In The Quacks of Quedlinburg: The Herb Witches, players take on the role of quack doctors brewing potions in their cauldrons. The goal is to brew the most effective potions by strategically drawing and placing ingredient chips into your cauldron without causing it to explode. The player with the most Victory Points at the end of the game wins.

Preparation (Setup)
To set up the game, follow these steps:

  Include ingredients #5 and #6 in the ingredients set.
  Replace the pumpkin book from the base game with the new pumpkin book.
  Give each player one witch penny in each of the three colors.
  Provide each player with an overflow bowl for their cauldron, placing it under the spoon.
  Randomly select one witch of each of the three types and place them below the turn indicator. Return the remaining witches to the box.

Otherwise, the setup is the same as in the base game. Players can call upon an herb witch three times during the game by discarding a corresponding witch penny in the appropriate phase.

Flow of the Game
The game follows the same structure as the base game, with players taking turns drawing and placing ingredient chips into their cauldrons. Players can activate herb witches during specific phases by discarding witch pennies. The game consists of multiple rounds, with players earning Victory Points and purchasing new ingredients between rounds.

Actions and How to Play
Players can perform various actions during the game, including:

  Drawing Chips: Draw chips from your bag and place them into your cauldron, advancing your position on the track.
  Activating Herb Witches: Discard a witch penny to activate a witch during the appropriate phase. Each witch type (Silver, Bronze, Gold) offers unique abilities that can be used strategically.
  Using Overflow Bowls: If you reach or exceed the last space in your cauldron, place additional chips in the overflow bowl. These chips contribute to your score but do not trigger actions.

Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.

End of Game and Scoring
The game ends after a set number of rounds. At the end of the game, each unspent witch penny is worth 2 Victory Points. Players can use as many witch pennies as they like during the game. The player with the most Victory Points wins.

Tips for Winning

  Manage Your Witch Pennies: Use your witch pennies strategically to activate powerful abilities at key moments.
  Control Your Cauldron: Avoid explosions by carefully managing the number of white chips in your cauldron.
  Utilize Overflow Bowls: Maximize your score by filling your cauldron and using the overflow bowl to gain additional points.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to play?
Yes! This is an expansion, so you need The Quacks of Quedlinburg to use these new components.

### Does it make the game much more complex?
Not really. It adds new options and abilities, but the core 'bag-pulling and praying' essence remains the same.

### Does it really allow 5 players?
Yes, the expansion includes the black component set specifically to add that fifth player.

### What do the Witches actually do?
They provide special powers that can be used once per game, allowing you to manipulate luck or strategy.

### How long does a game take with the expansion?
The playtime remains very similar, around 45 minutes, even with more players.

## Price Comparison
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