Quartz

In Quartz, the adventure begins when a group of fearless dwarves discover a new mine full of precious crystals. The excitement is palpable, and players, acting as agile miners, must focus on maximizing their collections over an intense five-day period. Each day, you will face strategic decisions that could lead to fortune or ruin. On your turn, you can choose to extract a crystal by playing a card that brings advantages to you or disadvantages to your opponents, or you can decide to call it a day and sell the crystals you have collected. Every choice counts, because at the end of the journey, the dwarf who has accumulated the most riches will become the sole owner of the mine. With mechanics that deepen risk analysis and force luck, Quartz stands out for its speed and tension. Improvements over its predecessor include a more dynamic game with only five rounds, more strategic actions and the addition of elements that value unused cards. In addition, players can choose to save crystals for future rounds, creating collections that multiply their winnings. The game also introduces experience markers that offer advantages after eliminations, making each day in the mine an exciting new opportunity. Get ready to enter this vibrant challenge and earn your place as the greatest miner in the new mine!

Age 14 + 45 min 3 to 5 players

Artists: Luis Francisco;

Designers: Sérgio Halaban; André Zatz

Date: 2015

Note: 8.1

Mechanics: Push your luck, Hand Management, Take that

Topics: Fantasy

Table of Contents
- How to Play
- Tips for playing
- Game mechanics
- Game components
- Additional Information

How to play Quartz

In Quartz, the aim is to guess the correct word or sequence in less than six attempts. Each word entered must be valid and have the same number of letters as the answer.

After each attempt, the game will give feedback using colors: green indicates correct letters in the right position, yellow points out correct letters in the wrong position and gray shows letters that are not in the correct sequence.

Look at the color hints to adjust your subsequent attempts. Try using words with common letters first. This helps you eliminate options and focus on the correct letters more quickly.

Main objective

The main objective of the Quartz game is for each player to take on the role of a miner in search of precious crystals in a mine, competing to extract and collect the greatest quantity and variety of precious gems over five rounds. During the game, participants must manage risks, choosing between continuing to mine or securing the profits they have already made, while also using action cards to interfere with their opponents' moves in order to maximize their winnings and be the most successful miner at the end of the game.

Tips for playing Quartz

Here are some tips for doing better in the game Quartz:

  • Always prioritize collecting higher-value gems first, even at the risk of instability.
  • Use sabotage cards strategically to weaken dangerous opponents.
  • Keep an eye on your backpack: don't overload it so you don't lose the gems you've accumulated.
  • Know your action cards well, because using them well can change the game in your favor.
  • Don't hesitate to abandon the mine if the risk is too high; saving a few gems is better than losing everything.
  • Observe your opponents' decisions to predict possible future moves.
  • Balance between risk and caution to ensure a good return on each trip.

Video about the game

Mechanics of Quartz

  • Force Your Luck - This mechanic allows players to test their luck by pulling gems from a bag. Each player has the chance to pull out a new gem on their turn, and can win or lose as a result. The tension increases as more gems are pulled, as some may be valuable and others may carry penalties.
  • Take that - This is a direct interaction mechanic where players can use specific cards or actions to hinder their opponents' progress. It can involve the forced exchange of gems, stealing, or throwing unwanted gems into an opponent's area, altering the dynamics and strategies at play.
  • Hand Management - It involves the player's ability to manage and use their cards effectively during the game. Cards offer special actions or advantages that must be used wisely to maximize gains and minimize losses. Knowing when and how to play each card is crucial to developing a winning strategy.

Game components Quartz

See all the items in the game below Quartz:

  • 84 currency chips (42 for $1, 24 for $5, 12 for $10, 6 for $50)
  • 06 Progress sheets
  • 55 Strategy cards
  • 05 Treasure cards
  • 68 Plastic gems
  • 01 Turn indicator
  • 01 Central tray
  • 05 Mining vehicles
  • 01 fabric bag
  • 01 instruction manual

Additional Information

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