Fancy yourself as a master potion maker? Well, you’d better hope your witchcraft is up to scratch! Horrible Guild is bringing Drops of Evil, a new abstract strategy board game, to retail on January 15, 2027. Designed by Hjalmar Hach and Lorenzo Silva, the game puts players in the pointy hats of witches competing to create the most powerful poison. Sounds healthy!
Brew it better!
In Drops of Evil, players send their Familiars into the forest to collect the ingredients needed for their increasingly dangerous creations. Those ingredients are then combined using an Alchilab, a magical device used to brew your potions. But simply making a poison isn’t enough. You’ll need to keep improving your recipes if you want to come out on top. Players can increase the toxicity of their brews by discovering new Recipes and getting some extra help from Assistants. Choosing how and when to use these tools will be an important part of building the most effective strategy.
Think before you brew!
Underneath all the witchy theming, Drops of Evil combines several familiar board game mechanics. Worker placement, pattern building, and puzzle solving all play a part, giving players plenty to consider as they work towards their perfect poison. The puzzle element is particularly interesting, as players will need to think carefully about how their ingredients and actions fit together. You might have the perfect recipe in mind, but getting everything you need into place is another matter!
Solo or with friends!
Drops of Evil supports between one and four players, so you can either compete against a table full of rival witches or take on the challenge by yourself. Games are expected to take around 60 minutes, making it a fairly manageable strategy experience without demanding an entire evening. It’s also aimed at players aged 12 and over, giving families and younger strategy fans a chance to get involved. With its combination of potion brewing, clever puzzles and competitive witchcraft, Drops of Evil looks like an intriguing addition to Horrible Guild’s growing line-up. Just remember, when everyone around the table starts brewing poison, trust nobody!
