Scythe is an engine-building, asymmetric, competitive board game set in an alternate-history 1920s period. It is a time of farming and war, broken hearts and rusted gears, innovation and valor. It plays 1-5 players in about 115 minutes, and it features art & worldbuilding by the acclaimed Jakub Rozalski.
It is a time of unrest in 1920s Europa. The ashes from the first great war still darken the snow. The capitalistic city-state known simply as “The Factory,” which fueled the war with heavily armored mechs, has closed its doors, drawing the attention of several nearby countries.
Players represent fallen leaders attempting to restore their honor and lead their faction to power in Eastern Europa. Players conquer territory, enlist new recruits, reap resources, gain villagers, build structures, and activate monstrous mechs.
Each player begins the game with different resources (strength, victory points, movement capabilities, and popularity), their choice of several faction-specific abilities, and a hidden goal. Starting positions are specially calibrated to contribute to each faction’s uniqueness and the asymmetrical nature of the game.
Scythe gives players almost complete control over their fate. Other than each player’s individual hidden objective cards, the only elements of luck are encounter cards that players will draw as they interact with the citizens of newly explored lands and combat cards that give you a temporary boost in combat. Combat is also driven by choices, not luck or randomness.
Scythe uses a streamlined action-selection mechanism (no rounds or phases) to keep gameplay moving at a brisk pace and reduce downtime between turns. While there is plenty of direct conflict, there is no player elimination, nor can units be killed or destroyed.
Every part of Scythe has an aspect of engine-building to it. Players can upgrade actions to become more efficient, build structures that improve their position on the map, enlist new recruits to enhance character abilities, deploy mechs to deter opponents from invading, and expand their borders to reap greater types and quantities of resources. These engine-building aspects create a sense of momentum and progress throughout the game. The order in which players improve their engine adds to the unique feel of each game, even when playing one faction multiple times.
Awards and Honors
2017 Scelto dai Goblin Winner
2017 Lys Passioné Finalist
2017 JUG Adult Game of the Year Finalist
2017 Jogo do Ano Nominee
2017 International Gamers Award - General Strategy: Multi-player Nominee
2017 Gra Roku Best Original Artwork Winner
2017 Gra Roku Advanced Game of the Year Nominee
2017 Goblin Magnifico Nominee
2017 Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game Nominee
2017 As d'Or - Jeu de l'Année Expert Winner
2017 As d'Or - Jeu de l'Année Expert Nominee
2016 Tric Trac Nominee
2016 Tric Trac d'Or
2016 Swiss Gamers Award Winner
2016 Swiss Gamers Award Nominee
2016 Meeples' Choice Nominee
2016 Jocul Anului în România Advanced Finalist
2016 Golden Geek Most Innovative Board Game Nominee
2016 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Winner
2016 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Nominee
2016 Golden Geek Best Thematic Board Game Winner
2016 Golden Geek Best Thematic Board Game Nominee
2016 Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Winner
2016 Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Nominee
2016 Golden Geek Best Solo Board Game Winner
2016 Golden Geek Best Solo Board Game Nominee
2016 Golden Geek Best Board Game Artwork & Presentation Winner
2016 Golden Geek Best Board Game Artwork & Presentation Nominee
2016 Cardboard Republic Architect Laurel Nominee
2016 Board Game Quest Awards Game of the Year Nominee
2016 Board Game Quest Awards Best Strategy/Euro Game Winner
2016 Board Game Quest Awards Best Strategy/Euro Game Nominee
2016 Board Game Quest Awards Best Production Values Nominee
