How to Play Periodic

Nights Around a Table
29 Jul 201912:35
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn 'Periodic' by Genius Games, 2-5 players strategically move erlenmeyer flasks across a periodic table game board to 'research' elements and score points by completing goal cards. Players can also earn points by moving along a secondary scoring track and satisfying secret objectives. Turns involve spending energy tokens to move or collect more, with movement patterns based on periodic trends. The game ends when goal cards are exhausted or the academic track is maxed out, with the highest point scorer winning.

Takeaways
  • 🎲 'Periodic' is a strategic board game for 2-5 players, turning the periodic table into a game board with elements as spaces.
  • 🧪 Players move erlenmeyer flasks around the board to land on elements and claim goal cards by placing colored cubes on them for points.
  • 🏁 The first to complete a goal card earns points, with contributing players receiving partial points.
  • 🔬 A secondary movement track, the Academic Track, allows players to score points by moving their microscope along it as they progress.
  • 🤫 Players have secret objective cards to fulfill for extra points at the end of the game.
  • ⚙️ On a turn, players can either spend energy tokens to move their flask or collect tokens but not both in the same turn.
  • 🔄 The game ends when a player exhausts a goal card stack or the Academic Track is maxed out, with all players except the one who ended the game getting one more turn.
  • 💡 Energy tokens are used to activate movement patterns described by the 'Periodic Trends', with each trend allowing specific directions of movement.
  • 📍 Players 'research an element' by landing on it with their flask and placing a cube on the corresponding goal card, aiming to claim the card for points.
  • 🏆 Points are scored from completed goal cards, lab tokens, the Academic Track, and agenda cards with secret objectives.
  • 🔋 Energy tokens are crucial for movement, and the total number available in the game is fixed, emphasizing strategic use of resources.
Q & A

  • What is the game 'Periodic' about?

    -Periodic is a strategic movement/set collection board game for 2-5 players that uses the periodic table of elements as a game board. Players move their erlenmeyer flasks around the table, trying to land on certain elements to place colored cubes on goal cards for points.

  • How does the scoring work in 'Periodic'?

    -Scoring in 'Periodic' is based on completing goal cards, with the first player to complete a goal card earning points and contributing players receiving partial points. There is also a secondary movement track that provides additional points as players move their microscope along it.

  • What are the two main actions a player can take on their turn?

    -On their turn, a player can either spend energy tokens to move their flask according to certain movement patterns or collect tokens from spots on the board, but not both on the same turn.

  • How does the movement of the erlenmeyer flask work in 'Periodic'?

    -The movement of the erlenmeyer flask is determined by the five Periodic Trends, which describe patterns of movement on the periodic table. Players can move their flask 1 to 5 spaces in the direction indicated by the trend they choose, spending energy tokens accordingly.

  • What happens when a player 'researches an element'?

    -When a player 'researches an element', they place one of their cubes on the goal card that corresponds to the element they landed on, provided they don't already have a cube on that goal card.

  • How do players earn points from the Element Group Track?

    -Players earn points from the Element Group Track by moving their microscope along it. If at the end of their turn their flask is on an element described by the next card in the circle, they move their disc one space to the right on the Academic Track, which provides scoring opportunities.

  • What are the benefits of the award tiles in 'Periodic'?

    -Award tiles provide various perks such as additional movement spaces, the ability to warp to any element in a group, activating a trend without spending an energy token, or grabbing extra energy tokens at the start of a turn.

  • How does the game end in 'Periodic'?

    -The game ends when a player exhausts one of the goal card stacks or helps to max out the Academic Track. After the game ends, all players except the one who ended the game get one more turn, and then points are counted to determine the winner.

  • What are the components of the game setup in 'Periodic'?

    -The game setup includes shuffling and stacking goal cards, award tiles, placing goal markers on the board, arranging element group cards, distributing energy tokens, and giving each player their respective game pieces and tokens.

  • How are the starting positions on the Academic Track determined?

    -The first three players going clockwise start on academic track zero, while everyone else starts on the next space up. The first player also places their microscope on the bottom left card in the Element Group track, and subsequent players skip cards to place their microscopes.

  • What is the role of agenda cards in 'Periodic'?

    -Agenda cards have two objectives each. If a player completes either or both objectives, they earn the points indicated on the card. Some objectives allow scoring points for completed goal cards, with each goal card counting towards only one objective.

Outlines
00:00
🎲 Introduction to Periodic Board Game

Ryan introduces the board game 'Periodic' by Genius Games, designed for 2-5 players. The game uses the periodic table as a game board, with players moving erlenmeyer flasks to collect colored cubes on goal cards for points. The first to complete a goal card earns points, with others getting partial points. There's a secondary scoring track and secret objective cards for extra points. Players can either move their flask using energy tokens or collect tokens, but not both in a single turn. The game ends when goal card stacks are exhausted or the academic track is maxed out, with points counted to determine the winner. Setup instructions are provided at the end of the video.

05:02
🛠️ Game Mechanics and Turn Structure

This paragraph explains the mechanics of 'Periodic', detailing the use of energy tokens for movement and the collection of tokens from the board. Players move their flasks based on periodic trends, which dictate direction and cost of movement. The atomic number, ionization energy, atomic radii, and atomic mass are key to determining movement patterns. Players aim to 'research' elements by landing on them and marking goal cards. The turn structure involves spending energy for movement, placing cubes on goal cards, and potentially claiming goal cards for points. There are also rules for earning points from the Element Group Track and using award tiles for special perks. The game progresses with turns until specific conditions are met to end the game.

10:03
🏆 Scoring and Game End Conditions

The final paragraph outlines the scoring system and conditions for ending the game. Players score points from completed goal cards, with consolation prizes for others. Agenda cards offer additional points for meeting objectives. The game ends when goal card stacks are depleted or the academic track is filled, with all but the ending player getting a final turn. Scoring involves points from goal cards, lab tokens, the Academic Track, and agenda cards. Ties are broken by Academic Track standing and energy tokens. The setup process is also detailed, including the arrangement of goal cards, award tiles, element group cards, and the distribution of energy tokens and player pieces.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Periodic Table
The Periodic Table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements, ordered by their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. In the context of the video, the Periodic Table is transformed into a game board for 'Periodic,' where players move their pieces around the table to land on certain elements to achieve goals.
💡Erlenmeyer Flasks
Erlenmeyer flasks are pieces of laboratory glassware with a distinctive conical shape and a narrow neck, commonly used for mixing, stirring, and heating liquids. In the game 'Periodic,' players use these flasks as their game pieces, moving them around the board to interact with the elements.
💡Goal Cards
Goal Cards in 'Periodic' are cards that represent the objectives players need to achieve by placing their colored cubes on certain elements on the board. The first player to complete a goal card earns points, with other contributing players receiving partial points, which is a central mechanic of the game.
💡Energy Tokens
Energy Tokens are a resource within the game that players use to move their flasks according to movement patterns. The script mentions that players begin with a 'handful of these energy tokens,' and they can spend them to move or collect more tokens from the board.
💡Movement Patterns
Movement Patterns are the rules dictating how players can move their flasks on the board. The script describes five 'Periodic Trends' that determine direction and distance, such as 'Increase or Decrease Atomic Number,' which allows for movement across the table in a straightforward manner.
💡Atomic Number
The Atomic Number is a fundamental property of an element, representing the number of protons in an atom's nucleus. In the game, players move their flasks based on the atomic number of elements, increasing or decreasing it to navigate the board.
💡Ionization Energy
Ionization Energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom or ion to create a cation. In 'Periodic,' one of the movement trends is 'Increase Ionization Energy,' which allows players to move their flasks up and/or to the right on the board.
💡Atomic Radii
Atomic Radii is a measure of the size of an atom, typically the radius of the nucleus and the electron cloud. The script mentions 'Increase Atomic Radii' as a movement trend, where players can move their flasks down and/or to the left.
💡Atomic Mass
Atomic Mass is the mass of an atom, approximately equal to the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. The game uses 'Increase and Decrease Atomic Mass' as movement trends, influencing how players move their flasks on the board.
💡Academic Track
The Academic Track is a secondary scoring mechanism in 'Periodic' that encircles the board. As players move their microscope along this track, they earn points, with the script noting that it's a race to reach the best spot on the track.
💡Agenda Cards
Agenda Cards are personal objectives for each player in 'Periodic,' offering additional points if the player can satisfy the conditions outlined on the card by the end of the game. These cards add a layer of strategy and personal goals to the gameplay.
Highlights

Periodic is a strategic board game for 2-5 players that uses the periodic table as a game board.

Players move erlenmeyer flasks to land on elements and place colored cubes on goal cards to score points.

Goal cards are completed for points, with contributing players getting partial points.

There is a secondary movement track around the board for additional scoring.

Players have secret objective cards to earn extra points at the end of the game.

On a turn, players can spend energy tokens to move the flask or collect tokens but not both.

Players can move the flask based on 5 Periodic Trends describing movement patterns.

The first trend allows wrapping around the board like Pac-Man, while others have movement restrictions.

Players can activate trends multiple times, with additional activations costing more tokens.

Researching an element allows placing a cube on a goal card, with limits on re-researching.

Claiming a goal card provides points and potential award tiles for perks.

Players can earn points by moving their microscope along the Element Group Track.

Award tiles provide various movement and activation benefits during gameplay.

Agenda cards offer points for completing objectives related to goal cards and other criteria.

The game ends when goal card stacks are exhausted or the Academic Track is filled, with a final turn for most players.

Scoring involves points from goal cards, lab tokens, Academic Track, and agenda cards, with ties broken by Academic Track standing and energy tokens.

Game setup includes arranging goal cards, award tiles, element group cards, and distributing tokens and player pieces.

Players begin by placing their flasks on elements with the lowest atomic numbers in their assigned groups.

Agenda cards are dealt, and players keep one while returning the rest, starting the gameplay.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Board GamePeriodic TableStrategyScience GameEducationalErlenmeyer FlasksGoal CardsScoring TrackEnergy TokensObjective Cards