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Addictive Alchemy
2016
Rules assistance for Addictive Alchemy
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 45 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.3/5
Rules assistant for Addictive Alchemy
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Addictive Alchemy is a board game released in 2016 for 2–6 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by David A. Lupo and its main mechanics are Take That.
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About the game
Summary: The true power of alchemy has been fully revealed, and its power is alluring, and… addictive. Each player finds themselves abusing their power, and their friends, as they try to take a dominant position, and win the game. Addictive Alchemy is a deck destruction, or deck shaping game, where players drink potions a little too quickly, and have to manage their potions, and the side effects that come with them. Players start the game with the same deck of cards (potions), and on their turn they will each drink 2 potions. However, those potions mix in their stomach or "system", and as a result at the start of their next turn they will have a side effect! To make matters trickier their foes can alter their side effects turning something that was intended to be helpful into something harmful, and unexpected.
Questions and answers
Addictive Alchemy supports 2–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Addictive Alchemy is 45 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Addictive Alchemy for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Addictive Alchemy has a complexity rating of 2.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Addictive Alchemy belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Take That. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Addictive Alchemy are: David A. Lupo. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Addictive Alchemy as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.