presentation

Die Quacksalber von Quedlinburg

Die Kräuterhexen

At the Quedlinburg Bazar, quacks and charlatans brew potions. Ingredients and ingredient books are displayed, the board is prepared, and player bags are equipped with ingredients. A prophecy card is revealed for the round and eventually resolved, and rat tails are resolved. Then all draw ingredients from their bags and place them into the cauldron according to their value - if the total of white ones exceeds 7, the cauldron explodes. Chips of other colors are resolved when drawn or at the end of the round. When all passed or were forced to pass, the round is scored, and rubies and bonuses are taken. After nine rounds you win with most points.

Die Kräuterhexen introduces a new type of ingredient as well as three different types of Herb Witches; there are overflow bowls and new ingredient books plus components for a 5^th player. The basic game flow is the same, but there are now sets 5 and 6 for ingredients, a new Pumpkin book, and one random witch of each type is displayed. Now, three times during the game you can ask for the help of one of the three witches on display, by discarding - in the correct phase - the corresponding Hexenpfennig that you received at the start. When your cauldron is full, you put additional chips into the overflow bowl for victory points at the end; color chips there do not trigger book actions.

No major change for the core game, but a solid and interesting addition; the Herb Witches provide variety and a higher replay value; the chance element is still strong and there is still now clear winning strategy. If you want to play the game with five players, the Herb Witches are a must have.

Players: 2-5

Age: 10+

Time: 45+

Designer: Wolfgang Warsch

Artist: Dennis Lohausen

Price: ca. 20 Euro

Publisher: Schmidt Spiele 2019

Web: www.schmidtspiele.de

Genre: collect, “bag building”

Users: With friends

Version: de

Rules: de en fr nl

In-game text: yes

Comments:

Well-made expansion

Now for five players

Still no clear winning strategy

Compares to:

Die Quacksalber von Quedlinburg

Other editions:

999 Games (nl), Schmidt Spiele (en fr)

Chance (pink): 3

Tactic (turquoise): 2

Strategy (blue): 0

Creativity (dark blue): 0

Knowledge (yellow): 0

Memory (orange): 0

Communication (red): 0

Interaction (brown): 1

Dexterity (green): 0

Action (dark green): 0