Neopets/Chemistry for Beginners

 Region: Haunted Woods Type: Puzzle Game Average Difficulty: 5.2 

Basic Gameplay
The object of Chemistry for Beginners is to get enough points to get to the next level by building molecules (combinations of elements) from the elements given to you. There are a limited number of elements available to use and only certain molecules can be made. Therefore, you must place each element strategically to get the most points per level. A chart on the side of each level will tell you what molecules can be made and how many points each will earn you. When you have the same or more points than are necessary to continue, you will move on to the next level. In the first level, there is only one available combination, but as you get to higher levels, more combinations and possibilities will become available, making the game steadily more complex.

Combinations
These are the possible element combinations that can be made in the game. A combination cannot be used until it is introduced. For instance, if you create a T-N-T-N-T combination before level 8, it will only count as a T-N-T combination. If you make two or more possible combinations on a single element placement, the higher scoring molecule will be synthesized. For instance, if you place a Neopium in a square with a an T-N on one side and an N on the other, the N-T-N molecule (2 pts) will be synthesized rather than the N-N molecule (1 pt).

**NOTE: if you make the combination -'-'- any time after level 7, you will instantly lose.

Scoring
During the game, you will have two different scores: a score for the level you are currently on and a cumulative total score for all levels you have played. A level ends as soon as your level score exceeds the predetermined level point quota. At this point, your current level score plus the number of remaining elements for that level is added to the cumulative score.

As of June 2011, when this guide was written, the neopoint payout is 5 NP per 6 game points, but this is subject to change.

Walkthrough
The following is a list of the best moves you can make for each given level. Although the first few elements for each level are the same, most levels switch to a random assortment after a set number of predictable elements. For example, level 4 always starts with the same 10 elements (NTNNNTNTNT), but is randomized after the 10th element. Due to this randomization factor, I can only provide the moves for the known elements. Beyond these, how well you do is up to your skill as well as luck.

Moves are given in a list with a style much like that of chess moves. In the format I use, I name the element, then the space it should move to. The chemistry board is six squares across and six squares down. If you label each column from left to right with a number and each row from top to bottom with a letter, each square will have a distinct name. For example, the square three across and two below the top left square is labeled "C4".

Because the first two levels are introductory levels, I'll use Level 2 as an example. Look below to see the move list. The first move is TD2(2). The T stands for "Tyrannium"- this should be the element you are going to place (if it's not, you've done something wrong- or Neopets changed the configuration). The next two, D2, signify the cell to place the Tyrannium. Look at the picture to the left and match up the cell that is aligned with row D and column 2. This is space is between the two left Neopium elements, which makes sense because N-T-N is a valid combination. If the placement doesn't make sense or looks like a bad place to put the element, double check to make sure you have the correct block. The last part of the move is a 2 in parenthesis. This represents the number of points this move will get you. Place the Tyrannium in the spot suggested and you will see that you do, indeed, get 2 points for this move. If you see "Random" at the end of the move list, this signifies where it becomes randomized- you are on your own from there. That's about it for what you'll see as far as move lists. The only other thing you may see is a "+5" in the points area which represents points earned for clearing the board (applicable after level 5).

Level 2
TD2(2), TD4(2), NA1, TA2, NA3(2)

Level 3
NF1, TB3(2), ND1(2), ND3, NF3(2) TC6, ND6(2), TD5, NA1, TC5(2)

Level 4
NE6, TB1(2), NF5(2), NC6, NE6(2) TA4, NA5(2), TB3, NA3(2), Random

Level 5
TB2(4), TE4(4), NA1, NA3, TA2(2), Random

Level 6
SC6(4), ND5, TB1, SE6(4), TA1(4) NC5, TC4(2), Random

Level 7
NF6(2), SB4(4), NF3, TD6, SF1(4) TD4(2), NF1, SD1, SE1(4), TA5 NA4(2+5), NA1, NA3, TA2

Level 8
NF5(6), TC4, SE2, TD1, NC3(6) TC1(4), SF2(4), TA6(2+5), Random

Level 9
SC4(4), NA2, NB1(6), TD2, SE1 SF4, NE5(4), TA4(2), TC6(2), NE3(4) SB3, NB4, NB1(4), TD5, TD4(4+5), Random

Level 10
TB3(4), NF3(2), ND3, SF5(4), FB2 FC2(7), TB4, NB1, ND6, TB2 SC6(4), FE2, NB3(6), FF2(7+5), Random

Level 11
SC3(4), NE3, NA3, TD1(4), FB2(7) FE4, TE6(2), NF3(2), NC3, TA6(4) SB4(4), FD5, NF4, SF3, SF2(4+5), Random

Level 12
NF3, FB1, FE3(7), TF5, TF3(4) NB3, ND3, TA6, FC5, FD5(7) NC4(6), TE2, FD1(7), TC2(4), TC6(4+5) SA2, SA3, NA1, NA4(4+5)

Level 13
SB1, TB5, NF3, FF5(7), TC5(4) NB4(1), NC6(1), SB3, TE2, SA2(10) NF1(1), TD2(4), NC3(1+5), Random

Level 14
SD6, NE2(6), SF4, TA2, KB3(1) FD3, SF6(10), ND1(7), TC1, NC4 KC6(1), TA1(4), NA4(6+5), Random

Level 15
SE1, SD3, TF5, SF3, KA1(1) FC2, NE2(7), SF2(10), SA4, SB6 NB2, TB5, TD5(4), SC6, KD3(1) KF5(1), SA5(10+5), Random