Witch's Brew*

Witch's Brew is a captivating card game that introduces players to a world of magic, potions, and strategic role selection. As the fourth installment in the Alea medium box series, this game by Andreas Pelikan challenges players to assume constantly changing roles, from the wise druid Drax to the diligent assistant Gemalher, navigating a dynamic play environment where timing and strategy are key.

Gameplay Highlights

• Simultaneous Role Selection: Players choose 5 out of 12 role cards for each round, revealing and playing them in sequence for strategic effect.
• Dynamic Role Actions: Each role offers a primary action and a secondary "favor" action, with position in turn order dictating access to the more powerful option.
• Ingredient Collection: Through skillful role play, participants gather ingredients and funds to concoct potions, aiming to fulfill recipes on cauldron cards.
• Strategic Depth: The game's intrigue is amplified by the risk of later players claiming a role's full action, forcing early players to strategize their role declarations carefully.
• Expansion Content: Witch's Brew also offers expansions for a sixth player, amulets for heightened three-player game excitement, and magical ability cards to enhance certain roles.

Conclusion

With its innovative role selection mechanism and the strategic depth it brings to potion brewing, Witch's Brew offers a unique blend of tactics, risk, and reward. Players must navigate the delicate balance between claiming actions early and the potential of being outmaneuvered by opponents, all within the thematic setting of a mystical brew-off. This game stands out as a family-friendly yet challenging experience, suitable for ages 9 and up, and a worthy addition to the Alea series.