Scythe

About this board game

Scythe is a highly immersive and strategic board game, designed by Jamey Stegmaier and published by Stonemaier Games. The game is set in an alternative history during the 1920s period, within a place known as “Europa”. The theme revolves around the tension brewing between five factions that have risen from the ash of the ‘Great War’, each vying for dominance and control over the valuable ‘Factory’ – the capital of an empire long gone.

The uniqueness of Scythe lies in its intricate blend of strategy, combat, resource management, and exploration. This game beautifully combines elements of 4X games (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate) with Eurogame mechanics, ensuring a captivating and dynamic gameplay experience that progresses smoothly with minimal luck and randomness.

The core mechanics of Scythe include:

1. Player Turns: Players take turns clockwise around the table. On your turn, you choose one of the four sections on your player mat to perform. Players can’t choose the same section twice in a row, leading to strategic decision-making.
2. Action Selection: Each turn, players choose between a top action and a bottom action. The top actions generally involve production or movement, while the bottom actions involve upgrading abilities, deploying mechs, constructing buildings, or recruiting new units. Actions are not dependent on other players, allowing everyone to plan their turns while others are playing.
3. Resource Management: Resources are physically placed on the board where players have workers. This makes territorial control important, as an opponent moving into your territory can seize your resources.
4. Combat: The combat in Scythe is deterministic, with players secretly choosing how much power to spend and adding their combat cards. The player with the highest total wins, making the combat more about bluffing and strategy than luck.

What sets Scythe apart from many other strategy games is its focus on efficiency and momentum. The game rewards strategic planning and foresight, with each decision you make potentially feeding into your future turns. Also, no two games are the same thanks to the game’s variable player powers and faction abilities, offering high replayability.

With its rich narratives, stunning artwork, and deep strategic possibilities, Scythe promises a thrilling and engaging board game experience that will have you coming back for more.