Potion Explosion

2015

Experience magical fun in Potion Explosion! Connect marbles, brew potions and win the Student of the Year award in this enchanting game by Horrible Games.

45
minutes

2 - 4
player(s)

Medium Light

About the game

Welcome to the enchanting world of Potion Explosion, a board game that will transport you into a mystical school of wizardry and alchemy. As aspiring wizards, players will compete to brew the most potent potions, using a clever mix of planning, skill and a sprinkle of magic.

In the thematic setting of Potion Explosion, each player takes on the role of a student at the alchemical academy. Our aim is to create powerful potions to dazzle the teachers and outshine our classmates. The game board represents your workstation, complete with recipe book and potion bottles.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Potion Explosion is a popular board game that involves creating magical explosions to create potent potions. The game comes with several components, each with its own unique function and interaction within the game. Below is a comprehensive list and description of each component.

1. Game Board

The game board is the main component of Potion Explosion. It holds the potion ingredients (marbles) and guides their movement. The game board features a track called the “Dispenser” where the marbles roll down from the top and line up for players to select during their turn.

2. Potion Bottles

Potion Explosion comes with four different types of potions, each represented by a unique color and symbol. Each potion has a different effect in the game. Players work to complete these potions by collecting the required ingredients to gain points.

3. Ingredient Marbles

These are colored marbles that represent the ingredients for the potions. There are four colors of marbles, each corresponding to a different type of magical ingredient. Players draw these from the dispenser on the game board to complete their potions.

4. Potion Tokens

When a player completes a potion, they receive a potion token of the same color. These tokens are used to keep track of players’ completed potions and are worth points at the end of the game.

5. Little Help Tokens

These tokens are used when players need a little extra help. When a player uses a Little Help token, they can take an extra marble from the dispenser. However, using a Little Help token will result in fewer points at the end of the game.

6. Skill Tokens

Skill tokens are awarded to players who can complete three potions of the same type or five different ones. These tokens provide bonus points at the end of the game.

7. Player Boards

Each player receives a player board at the start of the game. This board is used to hold the player’s active potions and completed potions, as well as their Little Help tokens.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Potion Explosion is a captivating board game that combines strategy and fun in a magical potion-making competition. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up this game.

Step 1: Set up the Dispenser

To start, construct the dispenser using the provided plastic pieces. The dispenser has five slide tracks where the ingredient marbles will be placed. Once constructed, fill each track with random marbles from the ingredient bag until each track is filled with eight marbles. Then, place four extra marbles in the top of the dispenser.

Step 2: Sort out the Potions

Potions come in 8 different types, each with different colors and abilities. Shuffle each type of potion and then randomly select two from each type. Place the selected potions in two stacks next to the dispenser. The remaining potions can be returned to the game box; they won’t be used in this game.

Step 3: Prepare the Potion Tiles

Each player takes one Desk board. Then, take the top four potions from the stacks created earlier and place them on the four spaces of your Desk board. These are your starting potions that you’ll be working on during the game.

Step 4: Distribute the Skill Tokens

There are Skill tokens in the game that allow you to use special abilities. At the start of the game, each player receives 2 Skill tokens. Place these tokens in front of you; they’ll be used during the game.

Step 5: Determine the First Player

To determine who goes first, each player draws one marble from the ingredient bag. The player with the darkest colored marble becomes the first player. Return the marbles to the bag after determining the first player.

Step 6: Prepare the Elixir of Blind Love

Finally, place the Elixir of Blind Love token next to the dispenser. This token can be gained by any player who completes three potions of the same kind or five potions of different kinds.

Now you are ready to start the game! The objective is to complete as many potions as possible by cleverly manipulating the marbles in the dispenser. Remember, the player with the most points at the end of the game wins!

Game flow Round and round we go

Potion Explosion is a captivating board game where players brew potions by collecting ingredients from a dispenser. The game is divided into rounds, and each round is further divided into phases. Here’s an in-depth look at how the game progresses:

1. Setup Phase:

Place the dispenser: Set the dispenser in the middle of the table and fill it with the ingredient marbles.
Potion Setup: Shuffle the potion tiles and place them in stacks. Depending on the number of players, draw a certain number of potions and place them in the middle of the table.
Student Setup: Each player receives a desk board. Each player also draws two potions from the ones available, placing them on their desk board.

2. Player’s Turn:

During their turn, a player can follow these steps in order:

Ingredient Selection: The player picks one ingredient marble from the dispenser. If this causes two marbles of the same color to collide, an ‘explosion’ happens and the player takes all the marbles of that color that are adjacent.
Brewing Potions: The player can place the collected marbles on their potion tiles, trying to match the colors. If a potion’s ingredient slots are filled, the potion is completed.
Drinking Potions: The player can ‘drink’ (use) a completed potion. Each potion has a unique effect that can be used once per game.
End of Turn: The player can only keep a certain amount of marbles for the next turn. The player then draws new potion tiles to replace the ones they completed.

3. Game End:

The game ends when a certain number of potion stacks are depleted (depending on the number of players). Players then add up the points from their completed potions and any bonuses for having completed sets of different potions. The player with the highest score wins.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In Potion Explosion, each player’s turn consists of a series of actions designed to collect ingredients, brew potions, and earn points. The game is filled with strategic choices that can significantly influence the gameplay.

Step 1: Ingredient Selection

At the start of your turn, you must select a single ingredient (colored marble) from the dispenser. This action may cause two or more marbles of the same color to collide, creating an ‘explosion’.

Explosion: If removing the chosen ingredient causes two or more ingredients of the same color to collide and touch, an explosion occurs. You collect all the exploding ingredients and any subsequent explosions they trigger.
Strategic Choice: The choice of which ingredient to select is critical because it can trigger a chain reaction of explosions, providing you with many ingredients in one turn. As you can only pick one ingredient initially, you need to anticipate the potential chain reactions.

Step 2: Brewing Potions

After collecting ingredients, you can place them on your potion tiles. Each potion requires a specific combination of ingredients to brew.

Completing a Potion: When all the ingredient slots on a potion are filled, the potion is complete. You then flip the potion tile over to show it’s brewed. This earns you points towards your total score at the end of the game.
Strategic Choice: Choosing which potion to brew is a strategic decision. Some potions are worth more points, but may require harder-to-get ingredients. You should also consider the special abilities of the potions, which can be used once the potion is brewed.

Step 3: Potion Abilities

Once a potion is brewed, you can ‘drink’ it to use its special ability. Each type of potion has a unique ability that can give you an advantage during your turn.

Drinking a Potion: To use a potion’s ability, you flip the potion tile back to its unbrewed side. You can only do this once per potion.
Strategic Choice: Deciding when to use a potion’s ability is a major strategic choice. You need to balance the immediate benefits of using the ability against the potential of saving it for a more advantageous moment later in the game.

Step 4: Drawing New Potions

At the end of your turn, if you have less than two potions on your desk, you draw more from the pool of available potions until you have two. If you complete all of your potions in one turn, you draw two new potions.

Strategic Choice: The choice of which new potion to draw can influence your future turns. You need to consider the points value, the required ingredients, and the potion’s special ability when making your choice.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

The game of ‘Potion Explosion’ ends when the last Skill token is taken, or when a certain number of potions have been completed, depending on the number of players. The round continues until all players have taken the same number of turns, ensuring fairness. After that, the final scoring takes place.

End of Game Conditions:

The last Skill token is taken: These tokens are awarded for completing certain conditions during the game. Once the last one is taken, it signals the end of the game.
A certain number of potions have been completed: This number varies depending on the number of players. For 2 players, the game ends when 5 potions are completed, for 3 players when 4 potions are completed, and for 4 players when 3 potions are completed.

Final Scoring:

After the game ends, players will proceed to the final scoring. The following actions are taken:

Count the points on the potions: Each potion completed during the game is worth a certain number of points. Add up all these points.
Add points for Skill tokens: Each Skill token is worth 4 points. Add these to your potion points.
Additional points for sets of different potions: Players get extra points for sets of different potions. A set of 3 different potions is worth 5 points, a set of 4 is worth 7 points, and a set of 5 is worth 10 points.

The player with the most points at the end of the final scoring is declared the winner of ‘Potion Explosion’.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game ‘Potion Explosion’, players score points by brewing potions and earning awards. Here’s a detailed overview of the scoring system:

Potion Points

Each potion a player brews during the game is worth a certain number of points. These points are indicated on the bottom of each potion tile. At the end of the game, all of these points are added together to contribute to the player’s final score.

Award Points

In addition to the points from potions, players can also earn points from awards. There are two types of awards: the ‘Potion Master’ award and the ‘Student of the Year’ award.

Potion Master: This award is worth 4 points and is given to the player who brews the most potions of each type. If there is a tie, all tied players receive the award.
Student of the Year: This award is also worth 4 points and is given to the player who successfully brews at least one of each of the 8 types of potions. If multiple players achieve this, they all receive the award.

Tie-Breaking Rules

If two or more players have the same total score at the end of the game, the tie is broken in the following order:

The player who has earned the most ‘Potion Master’ awards wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who has the most total potions brewed wins.
If there is still a tie after this, the player who was the first to end the game wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

The board game ‘Potion Explosion’ is full of exciting quirks and exceptions that make the game even more interesting. Here are some of the special rules, exceptions, and clarifications that are important to know:

Potion Explosion Special Rules

Little Help From My Friends: If you finish a potion that has the same effect, you can drink them both in the same turn. This is a special rule that is not commonly known.
Chain Reactions: If a chain reaction causes multiple explosive reactions, the player can choose the order in which to resolve them.
End of Game: The game ends when all the Skill tokens have been claimed, or when the ingredients in the Dispenser can’t be refilled completely. The current round is completed so that all the players have the same number of turns.

Potion Explosion Rule Clarifications

Ingredient Marbles: If a player accidentally drops an ingredient marble into the Dispenser, it remains there and could potentially spark an explosion.
Emptying Tracks: Emptying an Ingredient track doesn’t trigger an explosion. Only when marbles of the same color collide does an explosion occur.
Drinking Potions: Drinking a potion is not considered an action. A player can drink a potion, perform their action, and then drink another potion in the same turn.

Potion Explosion Exceptions

Potion of Wisdom: This potion allows a player to take an ingredient marble of their choice from the Dispenser. This is the only exception where a player can take a marble without causing an explosion.
Potion of Prismatic Joy: This potion allows a player to use any ingredient marble as if it were of any color. This is the only exception where a marble can change its color.
Sands of Time: This potion allows a player to reuse one of their already used potions. This is the only exception where a player can use a potion twice.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

The game ‘Potion Explosion’ is a captivating board game that requires strategic planning and a keen eye for color combinations. Here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to optimize your gameplay:

Advanced Strategies:

As you become more accustomed to the gameplay, it’s time to step up your game with some advanced strategies:

Plan Ahead: Try to plan your moves in advance. Look at the colors of the marbles in the dispenser and the ones needed for your potions.
Eye on the Prize: Always keep an eye on the potions that give you the most points. Grab them before your opponents do.
Multi-Potion Strategy: Attempt to make multiple potions at the same time that require the same color marbles.

Beginner Tips:

If you are new to ‘Potion Explosion’, here are some helpful tips to get started:

Practice: Play a few practice rounds to familiarize yourself with the game mechanics and scoring system.
Color Coordination: Focus on color coordination. Try to pick marbles that can trigger a potion explosion.
Use Your Helpings Hands: Don’t forget to use your ‘Helping Hands’. They can be a game-changer in tight situations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid while playing ‘Potion Explosion’:

Ignoring the Skill Tokens: Skill tokens can give you extra points, so don’t ignore them. They can be the difference between winning and losing.
Overlooking Opponent’s Board: Always keep an eye on your opponents’ boards. Try to anticipate their moves and disrupt their strategies.
Forgetting Potion Abilities: Each potion has a unique ability. Forgetting to use these abilities is a common mistake that can cost you the game.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Here are some ways to optimize your gameplay and make the most out of your ‘Potion Explosion’ sessions:

Master the Art of Combos: Mastering the art of creating combos can help you win the game. Try to create a chain reaction of explosions to maximize your points.
Use Potion Abilities Wisely: Using your potion abilities wisely can turn the tide of the game. Use them strategically to gain an advantage over your opponents.
Balance Your Strategy: While focusing on your strategy, don’t forget to keep a balance. Concentrate on both, collecting the right marbles and completing your potions.