
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Wrong Chemistry: Custom Elements
- 2–4 players
- 25 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2012

2012
Rules assistance for Wrong Chemistry
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Wrong Chemistry is a board game released in 2012 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Tony Cimino and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Modular Board, and Action Points.
The Concept: Scientists in a lab are trying to create new elements, and they get it all wrong! In Wrong Chemistry (W.C.) you change a molecule in order to create new elements out of it. A fun, easy to learn, but hard to master, game, with funny references to the real elements from the periodic table. Gameplay: Players alternate rounds, during which they try to change the pieces on the board, in such a way that they can be the same shape represented by the cards in their hands. The cards represent new elements that the players discover, and when the board has the proper form, the player reveals from his hand the element he/she discovered and adds the card to his/her pile of earned points. Game End: The game ends when a player can no longer draw more cards. The winner is the player with the most points or, in case of a tie, the one that discovered more elements that are next to each other in the Periodic Table of the Elements (chairs not included). Greek description: Μια ομάδα τρελών επιστημόνων, η οποία δεν έχει ιδέα από Χημεία, προσπαθεί να μετασχηματίσει ένα μόριο και να δημιουργήσει από αυτό καινούρια στοιχεία, αλλά… τα θαλασσώνει! Μην ανησυχείτε αν η Χημεία δεν είναι το δυνατό σας σημείο, καθώς στο παιχνίδι αυτό δεν πρόκειται να εξεταστείτε για την ορθότητα των στοιχείων που δημιουργείτε, το αντίθετο μάλιστα… Πού ξέρετε μπορεί να πάρετε και Νόμπελ για την ανακάλυψή σας!
Wrong Chemistry supports 2–4 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 Wrong Chemistry is 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 Wrong Chemistry 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.
Wrong Chemistry has a complexity rating of 1.6 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.
Wrong Chemistry belongs to these categories: Card Game, Humor, and Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Modular Board, 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 Wrong Chemistry are: Tony Cimino. 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 Wrong Chemistry 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.