Alchemists

To set up Alchemists, place the main game board in the center with ingredient decks, artifact cards, and grants. Each player receives a player screen containing the alchemical pyramid and deduction grid, a set of worker cubes, an alchemical flask token, and starting gold. Alchemical tokens are randomly assigned to ingredients behind the scenes using a companion app or a non-playing controller, keeping the true nature of each ingredient secret.

The main objective is to establish scientific fame by correctly deducing the alchemical properties of eight ingredients. Players earn reputation points by publishing correct theories, debunking false ones, selling potions to adventurers, and acquiring powerful artifacts over six rounds.

Each round follows a structured sequence: turn order is determined by player placement on the track, followed by players secretly assigning their worker cubes to various action spaces behind their screens. Actions include gathering ingredients, transmuting them to gold, testing potions on students or yourself, purchasing artifacts, and publishing or debunking theories. Resolution happens in strict board order from top to bottom.

Scoring happens primarily at the end of the game, based on reputation points tracked on the board. Players gain points for correct theoretical seals, conference majorities, unused favor cards, and artifact cards. Reputation can also be lost through negative potion tests, incorrect theories, or failing to meet conference requirements.

The game concludes automatically at the end of the sixth round. After final scoring adjustments for leftover gold, unused favor cards, and correct alchemical reveals, the player with the highest reputation wins.