
- BGG rank
- BGG #194
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition
- 1–4 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 2.9/5
- 2021

2026
Rules assistance for Mercurial: Alchemia
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Mercurial: Alchemia is a board game released in 2026 for 1–4 players, 90–120 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by David Goh and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Variable Set-up.
Set 12 years after Mercurial, Mercurial: Alchemia puts you in the shoes of an aspiring Alchemist in the thriving allied hub of Concordia. During nights, you'll cultivate a personal terrarium brimming with fantastical flora and fauna, harvesting them to unlock their potential for crafting elixirs. During the day, you'll explore the bustling Taliq'ir Bazaar to acquire seeds and eggs to introduce into your growing ecosystem. You’ll also visit Runaliths — colossal crystalline structures — to bestow enchantments on your terrarium. Chance a meeting with rival alchemists and their companion Arcanas, and you may forge collaborations amid competition. As you brew experimental potions to sell to the Guild, your choice of ingredients used is vital. Their distinct qualities can enhance or negate each other, with your mastery and skill determining whether strides in magical advancement are made or utter failure. Embark on an alchemical odyssey where your magnum opus awaits or perhaps even discover the fabled Philosopher's stone! —description from the publisher
Mercurial: Alchemia supports 1–4 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 Mercurial: Alchemia is 90–120 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 Mercurial: Alchemia for ages 14 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.
Mercurial: Alchemia has a complexity rating of 3.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Mercurial: Alchemia belongs to these categories: Fantasy and Economic. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Variable Set-up. 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 Mercurial: Alchemia are: David Goh. 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 Mercurial: Alchemia 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.