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Antidote (2013) Board Game

ByMichail

Antidote is a card game designed by Dennis Hoyle and was released in in 2013. It falls under the categories of deduction, medical, and print & play games. The game is played with 2-7 players and has a runtime of 20-30 minutes. The players take on the roles of scientists in a lab trying to find the cure to a deadly toxin.

Game Components of Antidote

  • 64 Formula Cards**
  • 8 Syringe Cards**
  • 22 Expansion Cards**
  • 7 Lab Assistant Cards**
  • Rules**

    How To Setup Antidote

    To set up the game, each player is dealt a hand of cards. The ‘X’ Card, which represents the antidote, is hidden in the box during setup. Players take turns in a clockwise order, starting with the researcher who most recently won a game.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Number of Players: 2-7
  • Age Range: 12+ (or 13+ as per some sources)
  • Play Time: 20-30 minutes
  • Objective: The goal is to deduce and hold the Number Card that matches the antidote by the end of the game.
  • Gameplay Actions:
    – Announce an action for all players: discard from their hand or trade research with other players.
    – Players eventually end up with one card each.
    – Reveal the last card held, and compare it to the hidden ‘X’ Card to determine if it is the antidote.

    Player Experience

    In **Antidote**, players take on the roles of laboratory scientists racing against time to find an antidote for a deadly toxin. The game requires strategic thinking and deduction, as players must carefully decide when to discard or trade cards to increase their chances of finding the antidote. The game can become complex, especially with more players, as tracking who has seen which cards becomes crucial. Strategies vary, with players either cooperating to achieve the goal or sabotaging each other to make the best guess.

    Pros

  • Engaging Deduction: Players must use logical reasoning to deduce the antidote.
  • Variety in Strategies: Multiple approaches to winning, including cooperation and sabotage.
  • Inclusive Player Range: Supports 2-7 players.
  • Affordable: Priced reasonably at $15-$20.
  • Expansions Included: Comes with expansion cards to add more complexity and replayability.

    Cons

  • Complexity Increases with Players: Tracking cards becomes harder with more players.
  • Initial Learning Curve: Takes some time to adjust to the game mechanics and strategies.
  • Bluffing and Aggression: High-valued card discards can lead to aggressive play and bluffing, which may not appeal to all players.

    Personal Thoughts on Antidote

    **Antidote** is ideal for fans of logic and deduction games, such as “Clue.” It offers a fun and challenging experience that is suitable for both casual and more serious gamers. The game’s moderate level of complexity and the inclusion of expansions make it a great choice for those who enjoy light to moderately challenging card games. However, it may not be the best fit for very young players or those who prefer simpler, less strategic games.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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