Strategy Guide
Some might say The Quacks of Quedlinburg is just a game of chance, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. While luck plays a role, smart decision-making and strategic planning can significantly increase your chances of winning. In this guide, I’ll highlight three powerful strategies that can help you maximize your potion-making potential. Whether you prefer taking big risks early for massive payoffs later or playing it safe with a steady approach, there’s a strategy for everyone.
Keep in mind that your game plan may shift based on which ingredient books are in play and which Herb Witches you’re using if you have the expansion. Adaptability is key—so let’s dive into some winning strategies of The Quacks of Quedlinburg!
Strategy 1: The Explosive Investor
If you think The Quacks of Quedlinburg is all about playing it safe, think again. The Explosive Investor strategy embraces early-game busts to maximize long-term gains. Instead of worrying about every potion exploding, you use those failures to set yourself up for bigger and better purchases in later rounds.
For the first 2-4 rounds, focus on aggressively drawing ingredients—even if it means knowingly busting. The key is to push your luck just enough to secure high-value ingredient purchases rather than settling for weaker ones. For example, if you’re already sitting at 6 total white chips in your potion, but you still have a white 3 chip in your bag, it might seem risky to keep drawing. But if hitting that bust threshold lets you buy a powerful 4-value blue chip and snag a ruby, it’s worth it.
The long-term benefits? Not only will you be stuffing your bag with stronger ingredients earlier than your opponents, but you’ll also gain extra rat tails in later rounds—letting you start your potion further along and making it easier to rack up big scores when it really counts. The risk is real, but the rewards are massive.
Strategy 2: The Balanced Brewer
If the Explosive Investor is all about high-risk, high-reward plays, the Balanced Brewer is the opposite—focusing on steady, consistent growth. This strategy avoids relying too heavily on just one or two ingredients and instead spreads risk across multiple colors, ensuring flexibility and long-term success.
Think of this as the generalist approach, much like diversifying a portfolio. Instead of betting on a single combo, you invest in high-value chips like 4-value ingredients of different colors or the coveted 6-value pumpkin chip. These provide reliable movement without depending on specific synergies.
Some key ingredients that thrive in this strategy are highlighted in the picture above:
- Blue Chips – Reward you with rubies when placed on a ruby space, providing consistent bonuses without relying on other ingredients.
- Yellow Chips – Doubles the movement of the next chip, making it an excellent choice when paired with high-value ingredients like 4s or the 6-pumpkin.
- Locoweed – Moves based on the number of different-colored chips already in your cauldron, making it perfect for a well-rounded bag.
By focusing on reliable effects rather than all-in combos, the Balanced Brewer ensures that each draw contributes meaningfully to your overall strategy. This approach may not have the highest highs, but it rarely suffers from devastating lows—perfect for players who like steady progress and well-rounded gameplay.
Strategy 3: The Combo Concoction
If you love the thrill of big plays and high-stakes draws, the Combo Concoction strategy is for you. This approach focuses on building powerful ingredient synergies—where a well-timed draw can skyrocket you ahead, but an unlucky order can leave you struggling. It’s the ultimate high-risk, high-reward way to play.
The key to this strategy is going all-in on 1 to 3 colors that work well together. Some of the most potent combos include:
The Orange-Red-Blue Synergy
- Red Chips – Move further based on how many orange chips are already in your cauldron.
- Blue Chips – Instantly score points depending on how many orange chips you have in play.
- Orange Chips – Serve as the foundation, making both red and blue more effective.
If you draw your orange chips early and your blue and red later in the round, this combo can explode in value. But if your orange chips show up late—or not at all—it can leave you with little to show for your investment.
Single-Color Mastery
Some ingredient books encourage stacking a single color for massive rewards:
- Yellow Chips – With the right book, your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd yellow chips move increasingly further, creating exponential movement.
- Red Chips – One ingredient book makes all red chips match the highest-value red chip in your cauldron. Stack red 1s with a few red 4s, and suddenly your red 1s start moving 4 spaces each.
Locoweed: The Wildcard
- Locoweed is an essential ingredient for combo-based strategies, as it copies the effect and value of the previously drawn chip. If played strategically, it can double down on your best pulls, making combos even more explosive.
The Combo Concoction strategy is not for the faint of heart, but when everything clicks into place, it delivers some of the most thrilling, stand-up-from-your-seat moments in the game. If you love calculated risks and big payoffs, give this approach a try!
Final Thoughts
There’s no one perfect strategy in The Quacks of Quedlinburg—the real magic comes from combining approaches and adapting to the game’s evolving state. Maybe you start with the Explosive Investor strategy, intentionally busting early to stack up buying power, then transition into a Combo Concoction, going all-in on a single powerful synergy. Or perhaps you lean into a Balanced Brewer playstyle but take calculated risks when the opportunity arises.
Beyond your own strategy, you also need to pay attention to the board state and your opponents.
- If a rival is going all-in on a risky combo strategy, playing it safe might give you a consistent path to victory while they struggle with bad draws.
- If someone is racking up rubies quickly, you may want to pivot to collecting them as well—those flask recharges can be game-changing.
- If you’re falling behind on points, don’t forget about rat tails! They’re a built-in comeback mechanic that lets you push further than usual in your potion track.
Ultimately, The Quacks of Quedlinburg is a game of risk, reward, and smart decision-making. Whether you prefer playing cautiously or living on the edge, there’s a strategy for you—just make sure you keep an eye on the bubbling chaos around you! Be sure to check out what other people think on the BGG strategy message boards here.
Now, go forth and brew up a winning strategy!