Overview

Alchemists is a deduction and worker-placement game where players are alchemists discovering the magical properties of 8 ingredients. Using an app to scan ingredient cards, players experiment to learn which alchemicals correspond to which ingredients, then publish theories. Points are earned through published theories (especially correct ones), artifacts, grants, and reputation. The player with the most points wins.

Components

• Double-sided game board, theory board, exhibition board
• 4 Laboratory screens, 4 Results triangles, 4 Player boards
• 6 Adventurer tiles, 2 Conference tiles, 5 Grant tiles
• 8 Alchemical tokens, 104 Result tokens
• 36 Gold piece tokens, 44 Seal of approval tokens (11 per color)
• 6 Conflict tokens, Starting player token
• 8 Ingredient tiles, Gamemaster board
• 40 Ingredient cards, 22 Favor cards, 18 Artifact cards, 16 Bid cards
• 8 Plastic beaker figures, 24 Plastic cubes
• Pad of deduction grids, Token containers

Setup

1. Place the game board (apprentice or master side).
2. Shuffle and place ingredient cards, artifact cards, and adventurer tiles.
3. Each player takes a screen, player board, results triangle, deduction grid, cubes, and beakers.
4. Launch the app on a shared device and enter the game code.

Turn Structure

The game is played over 6 rounds. Each round has:

1. Choose Turn Order: Players secretly bid on turn order positions using bid cards.
2. Declare Actions: In turn order, place cubes on action spaces.
3. Resolve Actions: Actions resolve in a fixed order.

Actions

Forage for Ingredients

Draw ingredient cards from the face-up display or the deck.

Transmute an Ingredient

Discard 1 ingredient card to gain 1 gold.

Buy an Artifact

Pay gold to acquire an artifact card with powerful abilities.

Test on a Student / Drink a Potion

• Test on Student: Mix 2 ingredients using the app. The student reports only the sign of the potion (positive/negative/neutral). Risk: if you give a negative potion, lose reputation.
• Drink Potion: Mix 2 ingredients yourself. You learn the exact potion type but suffer negative effects from bad potions.

Sell a Potion

An adventurer requests a specific potion type. Guarantee the result for more gold, or hedge for less. Mix 2 ingredients using the app. If the result matches your guarantee, earn gold and reputation; if wrong, lose reputation and may have to refund.

Publish a Theory

Claim which alchemical corresponds to an ingredient. Pay 1 gold, place a seal of approval. Earn reputation immediately. If later proven wrong, lose reputation.

Debunk a Theory

Demonstrate that a published theory is incorrect by showing contradictory evidence. Earn reputation; the publisher loses reputation.

Present at the Exhibition

Show a potion at the exhibition for a small reputation gain.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

After 6 rounds, final scoring:

1. Convert Reputation to Points: Reputation determines base VP.
2. Published Theories: Score points for theories that are still correct. Lose points for debunked theories.
3. Artifacts: Some provide end-game VP.
4. Grants: Scored if grant conditions are met.
5. Gold: Remaining gold converts to points (ratio varies by player count).

Highest total VP wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Alchemical System: Each ingredient maps to 1 of 8 alchemicals (each with red/green/blue aspects, each positive or negative). When two are mixed, matching aspects produce a potion type.
• App: Scans ingredient cards and reveals the resulting potion. Mapping is randomized each game.
• No-App Mode: One player acts as gamemaster using a hidden reference sheet.
• Favor Cards: Earned by placing last in turn order. Provide small one-time bonuses.
• Conferences: Special events in certain rounds where players present research.
• Master Side: The advanced board side adds more complexity and strategic options.

Player Reference

Round Flow: Bid for order → Place action cubes → Resolve actions in order

Key Actions: Forage, Transmute, Buy Artifact, Test/Drink, Sell Potion, Publish Theory, Debunk

Deduction: 8 ingredients map to 8 alchemicals. Mix pairs to narrow down possibilities.

VP Sources: Reputation (theories) + Artifacts + Grants + Gold