Last fall during the postponed Gen Con convention, I joined a handful of other content creators to check out some upcoming releases from Alderac Entertainment Group. We weren’t able to sit and play full games, but we did get the opportunity to learn about future releases. One of those was Whirling Witchcraft and my first impression was admiring the table presence. Watching others play a quick round made me think it was going to be a game about quick thinking and speed, but I was completely incorrect. It’s far better than that and that’s what I’m here to explain how to play Whirling Witchcraft!
In Whirling Witchcraft, you’re playing recipe cards, inputting available ingredients to create a brew that you send to an opposing witch. Between two and five people can play. Begin by giving each witch a board, cauldron, reference card and arcana tokens. Sort the ingredient cubes into piles and place within reach of all players. Shuffle the ingredient cards, deal four to each player and set the remainder alongside the general supply of ingredients.
The only setup decision that needs to be made is whether all the players will act as initiates where everyone has the same player power and starting ingredients. More experienced players may opt to utilize the other personality cards which cause variable starting ingredients as well as unique in-game abilities.
The game takes place over several rounds that are played exactly the same. Select a recipe from a hand of cards then play it. Most recipes have a specific direction they work. Input one set of ingredients and the result when brewed is something else. In some instances, the recipe cards can be reversed when played. You’ll know whether it’s a one-directional or reversible recipe by looking at the center of the card. It will show either an arrow or a squiggly icon.
Everyone secretly selects their recipe then places it face-down in front of them. After all witches have made their selection, players reveal their recipe. The first thing that happens is recipes are examined for Arcana icons and the effects are recorded. Special effects trigger whenever one of the tokens reaches an even number. These effects take place simultaneously for all witches before moving on to the next part of the phase. Bonuses may allow additional ingredients to be added to the cauldron from the general supply or allow a witch to remove ingredients from their own workbench.It’s important to note that once a recipe card is placed, it cannot be changed or reversed. Of course, you aren’t required to create it. You either may not have the necessary ingredients or simply want to save some of yours to ensure you have enough to repeat a recipe in a following round. For recipes you choose to craft, take ingredients from your workbench and fill the top half of the card.Everything that is created as a result can either be used on other recipe cards or thrown into the cauldron for your opponent. Once you’ve completed all the recipes you want to do, you’ll pass that full cauldron to the witch on your right while giving your unused recipe cards to the one on your left. Any ingredients received are added to the new witch’s workbench.Each time you start a new round, you’ll draw a new recipe card so you have four to choose from. As you search through the recipes, you’ll be looking to spend the ingredients on your own workbench to keep it from overflowing. At the same time, you’re trying to overflow the desk of the witch on your right. It’s not only a delicate balance of what recipe card to use against your opponent, but whatever you pass can be used against you.Each time an ingredient overflows from a row on the workbench, it’s returned to the witch who crafted it. Those ingredients go into the Witch’s Circle on their own workbench and remain there for the rest of the game. After each round, witches check to see if anyone has reached five or more ingredients in their circle. If not, another round begins. If someone has then that witch is deemed the most skilled!
When I first saw people passing the cauldrons, I immediately thought it was going to be a game about who can tackle their tasks the fastest. Fortunately, it’s all simultaneous play by round so nobody is overwhelmed by cauldrons piling up next to them. It’s actually a very quick-playing game since everyone is only having to choose one recipe then spend the items from their own workbench. The box claims to be ages 14+, but the concept is not that difficult to grasp and certainly could be enjoyed by younger players. Ask your local game store about availability or pick up a copy online (Amazon, direct from AEG). They’ve been working their magic and have a lot of great products on their workbench. Keep an eye on their social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) for details on other upcoming releases.
Are you more likely to focus on keeping your own workbench clean or messing up someone else’s?
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