Draughts London

Scythe Board Game: A Comprehensive Guide for New Players 

Welcome to the world of Scythe, a captivating board game that blends strategy, resource management, and alternate history. Set in 1920s Eastern Europe, this game has gained immense popularity for its unique blend of mechanics and stunning artwork. Whether you’re new to the hobby or a seasoned gamer, Scythe offers a rich and rewarding experience that keeps players coming back for more.

In this guide, you’ll learn the basics of Scythe, from its components to the core gameplay mechanics. By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of Scythe’s rules and be ready to embark on your own adventure in this beautifully crafted world of mechs and farming.


Scythe Game Overview and Components

Scythe is a captivating board game that blends elements of engine building, territory control, and resource management. Set in an alternate 1920s Eastern Europa, the game offers a unique experience that goes beyond simple categorisation.

Setting and Theme

In Scythe, you take on the role of a fallen leader striving to restore honour and lead your faction to power. The game’s setting is a post-war landscape where the effects of conflict still linger. As you play, you’ll farm the land, enhance your forces, and explore new territories, all while great mechanised war machines loom in the background.

The artwork is stunning and consistent with its theme. The board is filled with clear iconography, complemented by illustrated details of rivers, mountains, and villages, helping you visualise the different territories of the world.

Player Mats and Factions

One of Scythe’s unique features is its player mats, which are action-tracking boards unique to each player. These mats show starting amounts for coins and popularity and determine turn order priority. They include placeholders for structures, workers, recruit enlists, and upgrade cubes, representing unlocked bonuses and discounts.

The game includes five factions in the base game:

  • The Crimean Khanate
  • Nordic Kingdoms
  • Republic of Polania
  • Rusviet Union
  • Saxony Empire


Each faction is modelled after a unique culture and has its abilities and advantages for gameplay. The combination of different player mats and factions adds a great deal of strategy and forces different play styles from game to game. With the standard factions and mats, you can have up to twenty-five potential combinations.


Resources and Actions

Scythe uses a streamlined action-selection mechanism that keeps gameplay moving at a brisk pace. Your player mat is divided into top-row and bottom-row actions. Top-row actions provide short-term benefits like unit movement, resource production, and trading. Bottom-row actions require specific resources to gain long-term benefits and contribute to your overall scoring.

The game features various resources represented by wooden components, including generic resource cubes and unique buildings like the Mill and Monument. Your faction’s workers, represented by uniquely shaped meeples, help you gather these resources.

As you play, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Conquer territories
  • Enlist new recruits
  • Reap resources
  • Build structures
  • Deploy mechs


Every aspect of Scythe incorporates engine-building. You can upgrade actions to become more efficient, build structures to improve your position on the map, and enlist new recruits to enhance abilities. The order in which you improve your engine adds to the unique feel of each game.

To control a territory, you must have at least one of your units (character, mech, or worker) in that area, allowing you to control any resources found there. Structures you build are controlled as long as no enemies occupy the same space.

Scythe offers a rich and rewarding experience that blends strategy, resource management, and alternate history. The game’s unique player mats, diverse factions, and intricate action-selection mechanism create a captivating gameplay experience. Its stunning artwork and detailed components further enhance the immersion, transporting players to a beautifully crafted world of mechs and farming.

With an understanding of the game’s setting, components, and basic actions, you’re now ready to explore Scythe’s strategic depth. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll delve into core gameplay mechanics, combat, and strategic tips to enhance your Scythe experience.


Frequently asked questions about Scythe Board Game

What type of game is Scythe?

Scythe is a 4X strategy board game that blends several mechanics and game types. Here’s a breakdown of its key characteristics:

  1. 4X Game (Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate):
    • Explore: Players explore new territories, revealing encounters and gathering resources.
    • Expand: Expand your control by moving characters, mechs, and workers into new areas.
    • Exploit: Gather resources like food, metal, oil, and wood to build structures, deploy mechs, and upgrade your economy.
    • Exterminate: Engage in combat to gain control over territories or disrupt opponents, though Scythe is not primarily combat-heavy.
  2. Engine-Building:
    • Players improve actions by upgrading abilities, deploying mechs, and building structures. Success depends on how efficiently you manage resources.
  3. Area Control:
    • Compete for control of territories, which influences end-game scoring based on how many you control and your popularity level.
  4. Resource Management:
    • Produce and gather resources like metal, food, oil, and wood to build structures, deploy mechs, and upgrade actions.
  5. Asymmetry:
    • Each faction has unique abilities and starting conditions, creating a different approach for each player based on their faction’s strengths.
  6. Combat:
    • While not the game’s main focus, combat is essential. Players can deploy mechs to control territories or earn stars, with combat being quick and strategic.
  7. Objective and Victory Point-Based:
    • The goal is to earn stars by completing objectives like winning combats, achieving milestones, and fulfilling secret objectives. Victory is determined by stars, popularity, controlled territories, and resources.

Genres and Mechanics:

  • 4X (Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate)
  • Engine-Building
  • Area Control
  • Resource Management
  • Asymmetrical Factions
  • Objective-Based Victory

Overall, Scythe is a deep, strategic game that mixes 4X elements with engine-building and area control, making it ideal for those who enjoy strategy, planning, and tactical decision-making.



Can Scythe be enjoyed by just two players?

Yes, Scythe can be enjoyed by two players, offering a unique and engaging experience even with a smaller player count. Here’s what to consider:

Pros of Playing Scythe with Two Players:

  1. Faster Game Pace:
    • Turns come around more quickly, resulting in a dynamic and engaging tempo.
  2. More Direct Competition:
    • With only two players, competition is more direct, adding tension and strategic depth to every move.
  3. Focus on Strategy and Tactics:
    • Less randomness means you can focus more on your own strategy and tactics, leading to a more calculated gameplay experience.
  4. More Opportunities for Expansion:
    • The board is more open, providing additional opportunities for expansion, exploration, and resource gathering.

Challenges of Playing Scythe with Two Players:

  1. Reduced Player Interaction:
    • Less potential for alliances, betrayals, or complex diplomatic maneuvers, which might reduce some of the social dynamics.
  2. Less Combat and Conflict:
    • Players might adopt a more passive approach, focusing on economic growth instead of military engagement. However, this largely depends on strategies used.
  3. Potential for Imbalance:
    • Some factions may have advantages or disadvantages in a two-player game based on their abilities and starting locations.

Adjustments for a Better Two-Player Experience:

  • Automa (Solo AI) Rules:
    • The game includes an Automa system that can be used in two-player games to introduce a neutral faction, increasing unpredictability and competition.
  • Map Control and Objectives:
    • Players should focus on map control and achieving objectives, given the reduced direct competition.

Scythe can be very enjoyable with two players, especially if you appreciate a tactical, head-to-head experience. Using the Automa or embracing tighter competition offers a compelling and satisfying session.



What are objective cards used for in Scythe?

Objective cards give players hidden, personal goals to achieve during the game. Completing one allows you to place a star on the Triumph Track, bringing you closer to ending the game and potentially winning. Here’s how they work:

  1. Starting the Game:
    • Each player starts with one objective card, typically offering two possible objectives.
  2. Types of Objectives:
    • Objectives vary, such as controlling a certain number of territories, gathering specific resources, or meeting conditions with mechs, upgrades, or encounters.
    • Examples include:
      • “Peaceful Economy”: Control 7 territories and have 0 combat victories.
      • “Disarm”: Have 0 combat cards and 7 or more power.
      • “Unionize”: Have at least 6 workers on the board and control 3 farms.
  3. Completing an Objective:
    • Complete one of the objectives during your turn to place a star on the Triumph Track.
  4. Strategic Importance:
    • Objectives offer alternate paths to earning stars, which are key to ending the game and scoring points. Players must weigh whether focusing on their hidden objective aligns with their overall game plan.

Objective cards add a layer of strategy, as players need to decide if pursuing their hidden goal is more beneficial than other potential objectives.



Who created the Scythe board game?

Scythe was designed by Jamey Stegmaier and published by Stonemaier Games, co-founded by Stegmaier and Alan Stone. The game’s thematic elements and art were inspired by Jakub Różalski, a Polish artist known for his work depicting an alternate history set in a 1920s Eastern European landscape filled with mechs and agrarian life.

Jamey Stegmaier is well-known in the board game community for creating several popular games. Scythe is one of his most acclaimed designs, blending strategy, resource management, and territory control uniquely.



What other games has Stonemaier Games created?

Stonemaier Games is known for producing high-quality board games. Here are some of their most notable titles:

  • Wingspan (2019):
    • An engine-building game focused on attracting birds to your wildlife preserve, celebrated for its artwork and nature theme.
  • Viticulture (2013):
    • A worker-placement game where players manage a vineyard by planting vines, harvesting grapes, and producing wine.
  • Tapestry (2019):
    • A civilisation-building game where players guide their societies through various advancements in technology, culture, and exploration.
  • Red Rising (2021):
    • Based on the “Red Rising” book series, it’s a hand-management game where players collect characters to maximise influence.
  • Charterstone (2017):
    • A legacy-style worker-placement game where players build a village over several games, with decisions affecting future playthroughs.
  • Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia (2013):
    • A dystopian-themed worker-placement game where players control resources and factions using dice as workers.
  • Pendulum (2020):
    • A real-time strategy game using sand timers to manage resources and actions, requiring efficient time management.
  • My Little Scythe (2017):
    • A family-friendly version of Scythe, focusing on exploration, resource collection, and friendly competition.

Stonemaier Games caters to a wide range of players, offering titles with innovative mechanics and beautiful artwork.



Can I play Scythe at Draughts London?

Yes, you can play Scythe at both Draughts London locations – Hackney and Waterloo. The game is part of their extensive board game library, making it an excellent choice for groups looking to experience a complex strategy game involving engine-building and territory control. You can check their game library or book a table to enjoy Scythe during your visit!

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