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Scythe
Scythe transports players to an alternate 1920s Europe dominated by mechs and rival factions. Each player leads a unique people with their own abilities and must consolidate power: explore the board, deploy imposing mechs, build structures, recruit the population, and trade resources. The genius of Scythe is that war is expensive and the threat is often more powerful than the actual attack. A game of tension, asymmetry, and deep strategy in a visually stunning world.
- Players
- 1–5
- Playing time
- 90–150 min
- Min. age
- 14+
- Year
- 2016
- Designer
- Jamey Stegmaier
Setup
Place the modular board in the center (randomized for advanced play)
Each player takes a randomly assigned faction board and player board
Place each player's mechs, workers, and buildings on their faction's starting spaces
Deal objective cards and combat cards to each player
Set popularity and power markers to the starting values shown on each faction board
ROUND STRUCTURE
Each turn you select one of the 4 columns on your board and take both linked actions (top and bottom). You cannot choose the same column on consecutive turns.
AVAILABLE ACTIONS
Move
Relocate workers and mechs across the board
Gain resources
Collect food, wood, oil or metal
Build
Construct structures in your territory
Deploy
Add a mech with a newly unlocked special ability
Enlist
Activate permanent bonuses for you and adjacent rivals
Trade
Exchange resources or gain popularity
COMBAT
When two players share the same territory, combat occurs. Each player secretly chooses how many combat cards and how much power to commit. The winner takes the territory; the loser receives compensation and withdraws their units.
MECH ABILITIES
Each faction unlocks special movement abilities as mechs are deployed: crossing rivers, swimming, flying or moving workers. Check your faction board for specific abilities.
STARS
You earn Stars by completing milestones: winning combats, constructing all buildings, deploying all mechs, enlisting all bonuses, completing secret objectives, and other faction-specific milestones. When any player places their 6th Star, the game ends immediately.
Victory conditions
When a player places their 6th Star, the game ends immediately
Stars are earned by: winning combats, constructing all buildings, deploying all mechs, recruiting all bonuses, completing secret objectives, and other milestones
Score controlled territories × popularity level, plus accumulated coins
The player with the highest total wealth wins
Frequently asked questions
- How many players does Scythe need?
- 1–5 players.
- How long does a game of Scythe last?
- 90–150 minutes.
- What is the minimum age for Scythe?
- From 14 years old.
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