Starting out in Ways of Alchemy can feel overwhelming, since almost everything in the game revolves around interconnected card-based systems. This Ways of Alchemy Beginner Guide will walk you through the basics — from your first steps to understanding trading, artifacts, and reputation — so you can build a strong foundation for your alchemical journey.
Ways of Alchemy Beginner Guide & Walkthrough
When you first launch the game, you’ll see only two cards:
- Letter – open this to begin.
- Your Alchemist – place them inside the Letter to unlock your first area.
This gives you access to the Cluttered Shack, your very first hub. Make sure to fully clear it out before moving forward. The Shack provides:
- Land cards
- Potion recipe cards
- Bronze coins
- Turnip seeds
- Pot card
- Locked book
- Nana’s Sickle (your first artifact)
- Road to the City (your first blue location card)
Use the small arrow in the corner to quickly collect items without opening the full card window.
Card Types Explained
Cards are the core of the game, and their color determines their role:
- 🟩 Green – Workstations (crafting, farming, or production).
- 🔵 Blue – Locations. Light blue are trade spots; dark blue are adventure/exploration spots.
- 🟧 Orange – Artifacts that can be equipped.
- 📜 Recipes – Unlock potions, upgrades, or new stations.
- 🪙 Coins – Currency (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
Focus on checking Road to the City early — it unlocks vital places like the Market, Pharmacy, Adventurers’ Guild, and Surveyor.
Trading and the Market
Trading is key to survival and progress.
- Market Slots: Materials, Seeds, Food. Insert coins into these slots to purchase goods.
- Coin Values:
- Bronze = base currency.
- Silver = 4 bronze.
- Gold = 4 silver (16 bronze).
At the Adventurers’ Guild, you can recruit workers. Stronger adventurers cost 3–4 silver, so don’t waste coins too early — save for better hires.
Artifacts and Adventures
Artifacts are powerful tools that give bonuses, and adventures are how you push the story forward.
- Each character can equip only one artifact at a time.
- Dark blue cards = adventure spots. Only adventurers with the right stats can enter.
- Rewards: recipes, artifacts, seeds, or rare resources.
Library Maps act as special unlockable cards. Study them fully to open new sub-locations; afterwards they transform into renewable farming zones.
Pro Tip: Always check requirements before sending someone on an adventure. Equip artifacts and prepare potions to avoid failure.
Reputation System
Your standing is tracked by two values:
- Exculpation (Good) – positive reputation.
- Inculpation (Bad) – negative reputation.
If Inculpation is 10 points higher than Exculpation, you’ll be imprisoned.
- Inquisitor Visits: He only punishes if you hold contraband (like corpses or poison potions).
- Crown Orders: Complete these potion requests to earn money and good reputation safely.
Tip: Always aim to keep your good reputation higher. It keeps you safe and opens more opportunities.
Tips & Tricks
A few survival tips that make life easier:
- Farming & Resources:
- Water = fertilizer value 1. Compost = value 3.
- Weather impacts farming (rain often replaces water buckets).
- Turnips are Life:
- Food for your Alchemist.
- Supplies for adventurers.
- Ingredients for potions.
- Stations & Upgrades:
- Upgrade as soon as you can. Stronger stations increase output and progression speed.
- Potions & Leveling:
- Keep potions ready before adventures.
- Brewing special potions lets you choose which parameter to boost (unlocking unique skills).
- Events:
- Helping Maria the neighbor or random animals can give valuable rewards.
- Keep knives, flowers, and simple items handy for these encounters.
- Time Control:
- A full day lasts ~150 seconds. Use Auto-Pause to plan efficiently.
The early game in Ways of Alchemy is about building a solid base: clear your Shack, unlock the City, learn how to trade effectively, and never underestimate turnips. Once you master potions, artifacts, and reputation, you’ll unlock deeper systems and more powerful strategies.