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Genotype: A Mendelian Genetics Game
- 1–5 players
- 45–90 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2021
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Ion: A Compound Building Game
2015
Rules assistance for Ion: A Compound Building Game
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–7 players
- 20–40 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.4/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Ion: A Compound Building Game
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Ion: A Compound Building Game is a board game released in 2015 for 2–7 players, 20–40 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by John Coveyou and its main mechanics are Set Collection, Pattern Building, and Open Drafting.
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About the game
ION: A Compound Building Game is a card drafting game where players select from a number of available Ion Cards and Noble Gas cards with the goal of creating sets of compounds and inert noble gases. Here’s how the game is played: Each player is dealt eight cards, must select one of those cards and then passes the remaining. Players must choose to either bond (pair) their selected card with another Element Card or set it alone (possibly to form an ionic bond at a later time). Throughout the game, players gain additional points for building specific compounds which are listed on the Compound Goal Cards and have available a set of Action Tiles which award them additional moves throughout the game. Players score points based upon the quantity and type of neutrally balanced compounds they construct and noble gas sets they collect. After three rounds, players add their total scores from each round, subtract points from Action Tiles used, and the player with the most points wins!
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Broadway Toys LTD
- (Web published)
- Ediciones MasQueOca
- Genius Games
Questions and answers
Ion: A Compound Building Game supports 2–7 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 Ion: A Compound Building Game is 20–40 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 Ion: A Compound Building Game for ages 8 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.
Ion: A Compound Building Game has a complexity rating of 1.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
Ion: A Compound Building Game belongs to these categories: Card Game, Party Game, and Deduction. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Pattern Building, and Open Drafting. 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 Ion: A Compound Building Game are: John Coveyou. 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 Ion: A Compound Building Game 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.