Alchemy ICE

Alchemy ICE
Olle Johansson
Noughts and crosses with randomized "symbols" of five different types.
:Players	Players:	2 - 6
:Time	Length:	unknown
:Complexity	Complexity:	Medium
Trios per color:		5
Number of colors:		5
Pyramid trios:
Monochr. stashes:		5
Five-color sets:
- - - - - - Other equipment - - - - - -
Chessboard, Opaque bag
Setup time:		Quick
Playing time:
Strategy depth:		High
Random chance:		Some
Game mechanics:
Theme:		Abstract
BGG Link:		32602
Status: Complete (v1.0), Year released: 2006
Alchemy ICE is based on the game Alchemy by Stoffe Wiker and Olle Johansson.

Summary

Noughts and crosses with randomized "symbols" of five different types.

Objective

Each player tries to get four in a row of at least three different colors. This symbolizes alchemists trying to grow enough of different types of chemicals in order to turn lead into gold.

Preparation

Before the game starts, put all stashes in the bag and give it a good shake. Each player then draws a random pyramid and puts it in front of them on the table, visible to the other players. They also draw three random pyramids which they will keep hidden until the end of the game, the colors of these pyramids define what three rows of pyramids they need to win the game.

Play

Players now take turns to do the following:

• Draw one pyramid from the bag and place it in front of them next to their other pyramid, this is their next play piece.
• The old pyramid is placed on an empty square somewhere on the chess board. If this makes it possible to remove a row of three or more pyramids of one color, horizontally, vertically or diagonally where the combined pips total at least 7 they may do so. Removed pyramids are placed in a tower next to the board, clearly separated from their play piece and their objective pieces. However, if removing the row of pyramids would make some pyramids unconnected with other pyramids the row is not removed and the game continues. Pyramids are connected if they are next to other pyramids, horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

Winning the game

If a player has three towers of the same colors as their objective pyramids they show their objective pyramids and win the game.

Additional Comments

During testing I've found that the chess board fills up with lots of small pieces in the end making it hard to actually win. One suggested solution for this is that you only need 6 pips to pick up a row of pieces, but you must have at least three pieces in a row.

I'm also thinking of adding an element of stacking to the game to make it a bit more interesting.

External Links

• Official rules page
• Alchemy ICE is listed on BoardGameGeek.