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- BGG #17,144
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Arcadia
- 2–4 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2015
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- BGG #12,304
- BGG rating
- 5.9
Theophrastus
2001
Rules assistance for Theophrastus
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 15–30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.1/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Theophrastus
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Theophrastus is a board game released in 2001 for 2–5 players, 15–30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Phil R. Chase and its main mechanics are Set Collection and Action Points.
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About the game
From the Mayfair website: At the end of the Renaissance, one alchemist rose above the rest: Theophrastus von Bombast der Hohenheim. His skill and knowledge of alchemy and science were legendary. Each year Theophrastus would accept only one new apprentice. This fortunate youth, upon completion of his training, would depart for the luxuries of life in the court of some noble or king. But Theophrastus had many applicants. To select his new apprentice, Theophrastus would challenge them with a clever test of their skill and alchemical talent. Only the most promising of these applicants would be chosen as the great alchemist's apprentice. Do you have the talent and knowledge to become an apprentice of the great Theophrastus? Will you be able to duplicate his experiments with greater skill than your competitors? Are you clever enough to overcome the fierce competition? Theophrastus provides clues to the nature of his experiments, but he will not share all the knowledge with everyone. Will you combine your limited selection of metals, elements and essentials to create the wondrous concoctions that the wealthiest of princes will envy and desire? Or will these secret combinations elude your every attempt? Perhaps, luck, ingenuity, and determination, will make you the alchemist's apprentice! Contains 27 Experiment Forms, 3 Blank Experiment Forms 5 Player Experiment Forms 120 Cards 1 Pewter Marker Rulebook
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Mayfair Games
Questions and answers
Theophrastus supports 2–5 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 Theophrastus is 15–30 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 Theophrastus for ages 10 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.
Theophrastus has a complexity rating of 2.1 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.
Theophrastus belongs to these categories: Card Game and Renaissance. Its main mechanics are Set Collection and Action Points. 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 Theophrastus are: Phil R. Chase. 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 Theophrastus 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.