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Players craft potions in a secret marketplace. Hide ingredients to deceive opponents, and use magical powers to mix concoctions. But beware – your opponents are brewing schemes of their own!
Apotheca is played on a 4×4 grid. Players gain points by making matches of three potions of the same color in a row. The first player to make three matches wins. It’s easily learned, but the combination of asymmetric powers and secret facedown potions make the game a delicious challenge.
On each turn, players take 2 of 4 possible actions:
Reveal: Reveal a secret potion and gain a gem of that color
Restock: Draw, look at, and place secret potions on the board until there are exactly 3
Power: Use one of your active apothecary powers
Hire: Spend gems to hire new apothecaries
Whenever a player makes a match, they must place it on one of their apothecaries. This removes that apothecary’s power for the rest of the game, so it’s important for players to keep revealing potions, collecting gems and hiring new apothecaries… all while keeping their opponents at bay!
Deduction is key to Apotheca. Players trap each other with clever spatial moves, bluffing and misdirection. The action economy is very well balanced, so every turn offers an opportunity for strategy and tough decisions.
The feeling of the game differs with every number of players:
2 player is the most cerebral and controlled
3 player is the most chaotic, yet still within your grasp
4 player is played in teams, offering neat collaborative gameplay
Ages | 13+ |
---|---|
Players | Solo, 2 Players, 3 Players, 4 Players |
Play Time | 30m |
Designer | Andrew Federspiel |
Mechanics | Action Points, Team-Based Game, Grid Movement, Variable Player Powers |
Theme | Abstract Strategy, Bluffing, Deduction, Puzzle |
Publisher | Knapsack Games, Renegade Game Studios |
ALSB
The artwork, theme and presentation really makes the game standout. A well thought out puzzle/strategy game that is easy to pick up and learn. [Solo play]
ahken07
Buy from one of the Malay friend from BG2G as he mentioned he need funding to cure his dad's illness. But sadly I still seeing him buy new games from other >.< Anyway, this is a very nice short game that has very high replayability. Tic-tac-toe concept and support by the apothecary's skill (similar with Santorini). very fine printing game too.
DeKerstman
Played a few games, which were allright. However, shelf space is tight and traded this one away to make room for other games.