The Quacks of Quedlinburg is a board game that masterfully blends strategy, luck, and a touch of chaos into an engaging and highly replayable experience. Designed by Wolfgang Warsch and published by Schmidt Spiele, this game has garnered numerous accolades, including the prestigious Kennerspiel des Jahres Award 2018. After multiple playthroughs with different groups, The Quacks of Quedlinburg offers a unique and thrilling gaming experience every time.
Overview of The Quacks of Quedlinburg
The Quacks of Quedlinburg is a brilliantly designed board game by Wolfgang Warsch, published by North Star Games. It blends little strategy, huge luck, and tons of excitement, earning the Kennerspiel des Jahres Award 2018. The average playtime is about 45 minutes. It can be played with 2-4 players but best played with four.
Set in the medieval town of Quedlinburg, players are quack doctors brewing potions over nine days. They aim to score points using cauldron boards and bags of ingredient chips while avoiding explosions from drawing too many white “cherry bomb” chips.
North Star Games provides high-quality components with vibrant illustrations that enhance the thematic experience. Warsch’s design balances strategic depth and accessibility, with critical decisions adding tension and excitement to each round.
With its engaging gameplay and top-notch production, The Quacks of Quedlinburg is a must-have for board game enthusiasts. It offers something special for both seasoned players and newcomers alike. In it’s heart it is a push your luck type of game, however there is a strategic part where players decide what to put into their bags. Quacks of Quedlinburg has also two expansions that make the game more fun.
Game Components
The Quacks of Quedlinburg boasts a variety of high-quality components that enhance the overall gaming experience. Each element is thoughtfully designed to be both functional and visually appealing, contributing to the immersive theme of medieval potion brewing. Here’s a detailed look at each component and its role in the game:
Cauldron Boards (Player Boards)
Each player receives a cauldron board as their personal play area. The board is double-sided, with one side featuring a simple layout for beginners and the other side offering a more complex setup with test tubes for advanced play. The cauldron board has spaces from 0 to 33, where players place their drawn ingredient chips. It also includes areas for the droplet marker, rat tail marker, and flask. The design is intuitive, making it easy for players to track their progress and manage their potions.
Ingredient Chips
The game includes 218 ingredient chips in various colors, each representing different ingredients used in potion brewing. These chips are made from sturdy cardboard and feature vibrant illustrations that easily distinguish them during gameplay. The primary types of ingredient chips are:
- White Chips (Cherry Bombs): These are the most common and represent the volatile cherry bombs that can cause a potion to explode if too many are drawn.
- Orange Chips (Pumpkins): Basic ingredients that help fill the pot without special abilities.
- Blue Chips (Crow Skulls): These chips allow players to draw additional chips from their bags and choose which ones to keep.
- Red Chips (Toadstools): Provide bonuses based on other red chips already placed in the cauldron.
- Green Chips (Garden Spiders): Offer end-of-round bonuses based on specific conditions.
- Yellow Chips (Mandrakes) and Purple Chips (Ghost’s Breath): Introduced in later rounds, these add additional layers of strategy with unique abilities.
- Black Chips(Moth): These chips provide benefits to the player who has them the most in his cauldron.
The use and ability of every chip are shown in the Ingredient Books. If they are not understandable, a paper that tells you about the Ingredient Books is included.
Ingredient Books
The ingredient books provide detailed descriptions of each type of ingredient chip’s special abilities and costs. Multiple sets of books correspond to different combinations of ingredients used in various game setups. These books are designed like small booklets with clear text and illustrations, making them easy for players to reference during gameplay.
Cloth Bags
Each player receives a cloth bag to hold their ingredient chips. These bags are used throughout the game to randomly draw ingredients during the potion phase. The bags are made from durable fabric and are large enough to comfortably fit all the chips, ensuring smooth gameplay. What got to us was the material these bags are made from and their perfect size. As one of the players had more extensive hands than others, he didn’t have a problem reaching for the chips in the bag.
The starting chips that need to be put in the cloth bags are shown on the player board in the bottom left corner.
Flasks
Flasks are an essential component that adds a strategic element to the game. Each player has a flask that can be used once per round to return the last drawn white chip back into their bag, potentially preventing an explosion, but if the next chip they place is going to cause an explosion, they can’t pull this move again this round. The flasks are represented by sturdy cardboard tokens with a full side and an empty side, indicating whether they have been used.
Rat Tail Markers
Rat tail markers are used as a catch-up mechanic, allowing players behind the scoring track to gain a slight advantage in subsequent rounds. These markers are small wooden pieces shaped like rat tails, adding a whimsical touch to the game’s theme.
Fortune Teller Cards
At the beginning of each round, a fortune teller card is drawn to introduce random events that affect all players. These cards add variety and unpredictability to each game session. The cards are made from high-quality cardstock and feature thematic illustrations that enhance the game’s medieval atmosphere.
Bonus Die
The player who reaches the furthest space in their cauldron without exploding during each round’s evaluation phase rolls the bonus die. It offers rewards such as additional points, rubies, or ingredient chips. The die is made from durable plastic with clear, easy-to-read symbols.
Rubies
Rubies are an in-game currency that can be spent to move droplet markers forward or refill flasks at the end of each round. They are represented by small red plastic gems that add a tactile element to resource management within the game.
Scoring Track
The central scoring track keeps track of each player’s points throughout the game. It is placed in the middle of the table and features clear numbering and spaces for each player’s scoring marker. The track also includes spaces for turn indicators and bonus die rolls.
Droplet Markers
Droplet markers indicate each player’s starting point in their cauldron. Players can move forward by spending rubies or through certain card effects. These markers are small wooden droplets that fit neatly into the designated space on the cauldron board.
Quacks of Quedlinburg Setup
What we love about this board game is that the setup is not complicated and straightforward. Setting up the game involves giving each player their cauldron board, flask, rat tail marker, and initial ingredients (white chips, one orange chip and green one). The scoring track is placed in the center of the table, along with the turn indicator flame marker. The ingredient books for the current game set are laid out, and the corresponding chips are placed nearby for easy access during the buying phase. How the board should be set for each player is shown below:
Gameplay
This board game is played over nine rounds, each consisting of several phases:
- Fortune Teller Phase: A fortune teller card is drawn at the beginning of each round, providing various effects that can benefit or hinder players.
- Rat Tail Phase: Starting from the second round, players behind the scoring track receive a bonus by moving their rat tail marker forward in their cauldron.
- Potion Phase: Players simultaneously draw chips from their bags and place them in their cauldrons. Each chip has a value that determines how far it moves along the cauldron track.
- Evaluation Phase: This phase consists of several steps: Bonus Die Roll: The player who reaches the furthest space without exploding rolls the bonus die for additional rewards.
- Chip Actions: Players activate any special abilities from colored chips in their cauldrons.
- Rubies: Players collect rubies if they land on specific spaces.
- Victory Points: Players earn victory points based on their final position in their cauldron.
- Buying Ingredients: Players use coins earned during the round to buy new ingredient chips to add to their bags.
- End of Round: Players can spend rubies moving their droplet marker forward or refilling their flask.
The quacks of Quedlinburg remind us of the board game Dice Town. The similarity is the luck factor. There’s a little bit of strategy in it, but it is mostly based on what you pull out of the bag, or so-called luck.
What Components Add Strategic Value to The Gameplay
The Quacks of Quedlinburg requires players to balance risk and reward carefully. Drawing more chips can lead to greater rewards but also increases the risk of an explosion. Strategic purchasing of ingredients is crucial as different chips offer various benefits:
- Blue Chips (Crow Skulls): These allow players to draw extra chips from their bags and choose which ones to keep. Usually the more expensive the chip the greater benefits it provides.
- Red Chips (Toadstools): These provide bonuses based on other red chips already placed in the cauldron. On the other hand they can depend on other placed chips like the orange ones.
- Green Chips (Garden Spiders): These offer end-of-round bonuses based on specific conditions. They can provide rubies or other chips if you manage to draw them near the end.
- Yellow Chips (Mandrakes) and Purple Chips (Ghost’s Breath): These are introduced in later rounds and add additional layers of strategy. Some of the craziest effect that make the game unpredictable like returning white chips to the bag, or doubling the value of the next chip.
- Black Chips(Moth) The player who has the most gains huge rewards like droplet movement and ruby.
Did Your Brew Thrive or Fail – The Crucial Evaluation Phase
The Evaluation Phase in The Quacks of Quedlinburg is a critical part of each round, consisting of several key steps determining players’ success and progression. First, the player who reaches the highest scoring space without their pot exploding gets to roll the Bonus Die for additional rewards.
Then, players activate any special actions from black, green, or purple chips in their pots. Next, rubies are awarded to players whose scoring spaces depict them. Players then receive victory points based on their final position in the pot, moving their markers along the scoring track accordingly. Those whose pots exploded must choose between taking victory points or coins for shopping. Finally, players use their earned coins to purchase new ingredient chips immediately added to their bags for use in subsequent rounds. This phase is crucial as it rewards strategic play, allows for pot improvement, and sets the stage for the next round’s brewing efforts. It kind of reminds us of Witchstone – another game we reviewed recently, which also had a cauldron and alchemy.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Engaging Gameplay: Combines strategy and luck for a thrilling experience.
- High Replayability: Different ingredient sets and random events ensure unique playthroughs.
- Accessible Rules: Easy to learn for newcomers while offering depth for seasoned gamers.
- Quality Components: Vibrant illustrations and sturdy materials enhance the thematic experience.
- Catch-Up Mechanics: Rat tails and rubies keep all players competitive throughout the game.
Cons
- Luck Factor: The randomness of drawing chips may frustrate some players.
- Setup Time: Organizing ingredient chips and setting up the game can be time-consuming.
- Player Count Limit: Best with 2-4 players; may not scale well with larger groups without expansions.
This game is one of our favorite 2-4 player games, you can see our best 4 player games on our site.
Conclusion
After numerous playthroughs, it’s clear that The Quacks of Quedlinburg is a standout board game. The luck and the excitement of drawing ingredient chips make each session memorable.
As we gathered around the table, the tension was palpable during the Evaluation Phase of our latest Quacks of Quedlinburg session. This phase always feels like the moment of truth, where our brewing strategies are put to the test. I remember holding my breath as we checked who reached the highest scoring space without exploding – it was Sarah this time, and she got to roll the coveted Bonus Die. Then, we all eagerly activated our special chip actions. I had placed a green chip on my second-to-last space, earning me a ruby. The real excitement came when we counted our victory points. John’s risky strategy paid off, pushing him into the lead, while my conservative approach trailed me. As we moved to the buying phase, I was torn between investing in higher-value chips or diversifying my ingredient mix. The Evaluation Phase never fails to deliver a mix of suspense, strategy, and sometimes a touch of regret, making each round of Quacks a thrilling experience. One notable moment was when John’s aggressive strategy paid off in the final round, securing a narrow victory.
The game’s accessibility and depth are impressive. It’s easy to teach newcomers while offering enough complexity for seasoned gamers. The catch-up mechanics, like rat tails and rubies, keep everyone engaged throughout all nine rounds.
In conclusion, The Quacks of Quedlinburg is a must-have for any board game enthusiast. It offers fun, and unique playthroughs every time earning the right to be a very good gateway game. Whether experienced gamers or newcomers, players will enjoy hours of entertainment and memorable moments around the table. Gather friends, draw ingredients, and see if your brew will thrive or fail in Quedlinburg!
