Quick answer
Treat the Cytosis custom macromolecule pieces as a permanent upgrade to your game: unpack them, verify the counts, and swap them for the cardboard tokens in the base game. Store each resource type in its own small bag or compartment, keep the set away from heat, moisture, and direct sun, and never soak the wooden pieces in water. A few minutes of sorting and a dry cloth are all the maintenance these pieces should ever need.
What is in the upgrade pack and why it changes the table
The Cytosis custom macromolecule pieces are an add-on pack, not a standalone game, and the base game of Cytosis is required to play. The pack contains 18 mRNA resources, 18 Protein resources, 15 Lipid resources, and 15 Carbohydrate resources, each printed with the chemical structure of that macromolecule. That printed structure is the practical difference: instead of reading a generic cardboard token and translating it in your head, you can glance at the piece and recognize the resource by shape and symbol.
Because the pieces are wooden and shaped, they also feel different in the hand and slide differently across the table than flat cardboard. That tactile upgrade is nice, but it also means the pieces deserve slightly more care than a punchboard token. They can chip, fade, or warp if they are tossed loose into a box or left in a hot car. The steps below cover use first, then storage and cleaning.
Before you play: count, sort, and check the pieces
Do this once, on a clean surface, before the first game. It takes a few minutes and saves confusion later, because you will know immediately if anything is missing or misprinted. Keep the base game's cardboard tokens in the box as a backup rather than throwing them away; they are useful if you ever lose a wooden piece or want to play a second copy of the game at the same time.
Sort the pieces into the four resource types and count each group against the pack listing. If a count is off, check the packaging and any inner bags before assuming a piece is missing, since small wooden pieces love to hide in folds of cardboard.
Step-by-step: using and storing your Cytosis pieces
- Unpack and count on a clean, dry surface: Open the pack over a tray or shallow box so small wooden pieces cannot roll onto the floor. Sort into mRNA, Protein, Lipid, and Carbohydrate groups and count each group against the listed quantities. Checkpoint: all four groups match the listed counts before you put anything away.
- Replace the base game tokens for play: During setup, use the wooden pieces wherever the base game calls for the matching macromolecule resource. Keep the original cardboard tokens in a small bag inside the box as spares. Common mistake: mixing cardboard and wooden tokens of the same resource on the table, which makes the supply pile harder to read at a glance.
- Handle pieces over the table, not over the floor: Wooden pieces bounce and roll. Pass them hand to hand or slide them across the play area rather than flicking or tossing them, especially near table edges and carpet. Checkpoint: no pieces on the floor at the end of the game.
- Bag by resource type before the box closes: Use four separate small bags or a compartmented insert, one per resource. Keeping types separate makes setup faster and prevents the printed chemical structures from rubbing against each other in transit. Common mistake: dumping all pieces into one bag, which slows setup and increases surface wear.
- Store flat, cool, and dry: Keep the box out of direct sun, away from radiators, and out of damp basements or hot cars. Wooden pieces can fade, warp, or swell with heat and moisture. Checkpoint: the storage spot stays at room temperature and out of direct light.
- Clean with a dry or barely damp cloth only: Wipe pieces with a soft dry cloth. For sticky residue, wring a cloth nearly dry and wipe quickly, then let the pieces air-dry completely before bagging them. Never soak wooden pieces or run them through a dishwasher; moisture is the main risk to the printed faces.
- Do a quick inventory after heavy sessions: After a long game night or a trip, count each resource group again. If a piece is missing, check bags, the box insert, and under the table before assuming it is gone. Next step: if a piece is truly lost, use the base game's cardboard token as a stand-in so play is not blocked.
Product facts
- Cytosis - Custom Macromolecule Pieces for Cytosis: Custom wooden pieces with the chemical structures of all the macromolecule resources for Cytosis: A Cell Biology Game. This is an add-on pack, not a game, and the base game of Cytosis is required to play and is sold separately. Buy it only if you already own Cytosis, and expect to replace the base game's resource tokens rather than add a new game to your shelf.
- Cytosis - Custom Macromolecule Pieces for Cytosis: The upgrade pack includes 18 mRNA resources, 18 Protein resources, 15 Lipid resources, and 15 Carbohydrate resources. These counts give you a checklist for the first sort and a baseline for spotting a missing piece after a game night.
