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Stonemaier Games: Scythe (Base Game) | an Engine-Building, Area Control Strategy Board Game Set in Dieselpunk 1920s Europe for Adults and Family | 1-5 Players, 115 Mins, Ages 14+
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Price | $80.00 | |
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Estimated Import Charges | $0.00 | |
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Total | $80.00 |
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- EXPLORE: 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.
- ALTERNATE HISTORY: Scythe is an engine-building game set in an alternate-history 1920s period in Eastern Europe. It is a time of farming and war, broken hearts and rusted gears, innovation and valor.
- VARIABILITY: With five different factions and five different player boards, players can mix and match to enhance replayability. Asymmetric powers keep the game fresh every time!
- QUICK TURNS: Scythe uses a streamlined action-selection mechanism (no rounds or phases) to keep gameplay moving at a brisk pace and reduce downtime between turns. 1-5 Players, 115 mins, Ages 14+
- LOW LUCK AND RANDOMNESS: Scythe gives players almost complete control over their fate. Other than each player’s individual hidden objective card, the only elements of luck are “encounter” cards that players will draw as they interact with the citizens of newly explored lands.
- BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED AND ILLUSTRATED: Designed by Jamey Stegmaier (Viticulture). Richly developed alternate reality with interesting and beautiful 1920+ artwork done by Jakub Rozalski (Iron Harvest).
- COLD WAR TENSION: The tension comes more from the threat of combat than the combat itself. Combat hurts both parties but can also benefit both parties. Popularity is lost when you are the attacker in Scythe or forcing a worker to move off of their land, but popularity is gained when making decisions that would gain popularity in a story.
- THEMATICALLY DESIGNED MECHANISMS: The reward descriptions on the Encounter cards add a role-playing feel to Scythe, giving your decisions some morality conflicts besides just selecting from resource benefits.The animal companions, mechs, and characters all tell a rich story of intrigue and sought glory. Upgrades reveal more benefits and make progress in the game easier, giving the feeling of actually upgrading something.
- SOLO PLAY: Features an Automa to play against in a single player game for a fun solitaire experience. The Automa simulates an opponent for you to compete against, while your game as a player remains the same. On the Automa’s turn, flip a card to see what action it takes.
- PUBLISHED BY STONEMAIER: Stonemaier is a tabletop game publisher based in St. Louis and distributed worldwide. Stonemaier's brands include Viticulture, Euphoria, Between Two Cities, Scythe, Charterstone, My Little Scythe, Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Wingspan, Tapestry, Pendulum, Red Rising, Rolling Realms, Libertalia, Smitten, Expeditions, Apiary, and Wyrmspan.
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 11.81 x 4 x 14.57 inches |
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Item Weight | 7.25 pounds |
ASIN | B01IPUGYK6 |
Item model number | STM600 |
Manufacturer recommended age | 14 years and up |
Best Sellers Rank | #21,335 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #647 in Board Games (Toys & Games) |
Customer Reviews |
4.8 out of 5 stars |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Release date | August 10, 2016 |
Language | English |
Manufacturer | Stonemaier Games |
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Our games seek to capture the imaginations of all types of people, as our goal is to build games and communities that include everyone and bring joy to tabletops around the world.
We also believe in constantly evaluating and improving our creation process to improve the environmental sustainability and accessibility of our games.
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Product Description
Designed by Jamey Stegmaier | Art by Jakub Rozalski
Featured Components
- 1 game board, 5 player mats, 5 faction mats, 5 character minis, 20 mech minis
- 80 resource tokens, 5 action tokens
- 5 popularity tokens, 36 star tokens, 20 structure tokens, 20 recruit tokens, 48 workers
- 80 coins tokens, 12 multiplier tokens
- 12 encounter tokens, 36 tech cubes
- 6 structure bonus tiles, 42 combat cards, 23 objective cards, 28 encounter cards
- 12 factory cards, 5 riverwalk cards, 5 quick-start cards, 2 power dials
- 2 rulebooks (multiplayer and solo), 1 quick reference guide
Scythe
Five factions vie for dominance in a war-torn, mech-filled, dieselpunk 1920s Europe.
Scythe is an engine-building game set in an alternate-history 1920s period. It is a time of farming and war, broken hearts and rusted gears, innovation and valor. In Scythe, each player represents a character from one of five factions of Eastern Europe who are attempting to earn their fortune and claim their faction's stake in the land around the mysterious Factory. Players conquer territory, enlist new recruits, reap resources, gain villagers, build structures, and activate monstrous mechs.
- 1-5 Players
- 115 Min Playtime
- Ages 14+
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ScytheEach player begins the game with different resources, a different starting location, and a hidden goal. Starting positions are specially calibrated to contribute to each faction’s uniqueness and the asymmetrical nature of the game. Scythe uses a streamlined action-selection mechanism to keep gameplay moving at a brisk pace and reduce downtime between turns. While there is plenty of direct conflict for players who seek it, there is no player elimination. |
Choose Your Top Row ActionYou have 4 actions to choose from: move (move your mech, hero, or workers), bolster (increase your power), trade (purchase different goods), and produce (gain resources depending on where your workers are). |
Take Your Bottom Row ActionOnce you've taken an action on the top row, you can now choose to take the correlating action on the bottom row: upgrade (improve your efficiency), deploy (pay for and send out a new mech), build (pay to place a building on a space you control), and enlist (gain a one time and ongoing bonus). |
VictoryThroughout the game, you will place stars on the board upon achieving goals. The game ends when a player places their 6th star. Score for coins, stars, territories controlled, resources, and structure bonuses. This score is multiplied by your popularity throughout the game, and the player with the most points is declared winner. |
Scythe (Base Game) | Scythe: Invaders from Afar Expansion | Scythe: The Rise of Fenris | Expeditions | Tapestry | Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia | |
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Customer Reviews |
4.8 out of 5 stars
5,266
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4.9 out of 5 stars
2,174
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4.9 out of 5 stars
947
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4.9 out of 5 stars
54
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4.7 out of 5 stars
688
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4.5 out of 5 stars
134
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Price | $80.00$80.00 | — | $38.99$38.99 | $82.44$82.44 | $89.99$89.99 | $74.96$74.96 |
Number of Players | 1-5 | 1-7 | 1-5 (or up to 7 with Invaders) | 1-5 | 1-5 | 2-6 |
Average Playtime | 115 mins | 115-140 mins | 75-150 mins | 60-90 mins | 90-120 mins | 60 mins |
Game Objectives and Theme | Five factions vie for dominance in a war-torn, mech-filled, dieselpunk 1920s Europe. | Adds 2 news factions and the ability to play with up to 6 or 7 players to the Scythe Base Game. | Features an 8-game replayable campaign and 11 interchangeable modules to add to the Scythe Base Game. | Venture to the dangerous north in this tile-exploration game | Lead a unique civilization to greatness through cultural and technological advances. | Place worker dice strategically to build your authority and take over a dystopia. |
Game Mechanisms | Area Majority/Influence | Area Majority/Influence | Campaign, Area Majority/Influence | Engine Building | Area/Majority Influence | Worker Placement |
What's in the box
Videos
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My thoughts after owning Scythe for several years
Dungeon Loot Armory
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Is This Like RISK? Fun Gameplay? Fast Paced?
Teressa & Corey
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Scythe - My honest review - and unboxing
Gaming Indoors
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My top critical review Scythe Board Game
🟢 Eye Catching Reviews
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17:47
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Unboxing Scythe the epic dieselpunk board game.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the board game fun, quality, and strategy. They mention it's exhilarating, makes games with more players exciting, and has several different ways to win. Some are satisfied with the value for money and variety of options. However, some customers have different opinions on the complexity and gameplay.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the game amazing, beautiful, and fun to play. They say it makes games with more players exciting and the gameplay is just unreal and exhilarating. Customers also mention that the rules are great for playing with friends and that the game is complex.
"...This game is best for serious board game players but definitely accessible for people who are more casual. So give it a try and play on." Read more
"...The upgrade/build/recruit options are fun and new to me. Almost like they took an RTS PC game and translated it to the board...." Read more
"...Scythe is a massively wonderful game of strategy that I would absolutely suggest to any board game enthusiast looking to play one of the greatest..." Read more
"...It is a complex game of beauty that will soon be heralded amongst the best board games ever created. Very, very well done, Stonemaier Games." Read more
Customers find the strategy of the board game intense, nuanced, and quick. They say it has several different ways to win, which helps for different types of gamers. They also appreciate the good balance between strategic planning and the random nature of the wartorn world. Additionally, they love the resource management and game play.
"...I was surprised to find a very engaging game with an efficient rule set.The system is what makes it work...." Read more
"...Good amount of randomness, good amount of player control, no chance for a player to runaway and get too powerful,The not so good:..." Read more
"...Its moves are intuitive, and its actions never feel random nor arbitrary...." Read more
"...Scythe strikes a good balance between strategic planning and the random nature of their wartorn area in an alternate history...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the board game. They mention it's well-done, solid, and long-lasting.
"...cardboard, unlike whole pieces, this makes them feel heavier and longer-lasting. Most of your bits and bobs fit into these mats...." Read more
"...designed to simulate a human opponent for solo play - is a world-class production...." Read more
"...The component quality is top shelf as all Stonemeir games are. The game also has a solo player mode that is a lot of fun...." Read more
"...The board game pieces are very good quality and the gameplay is just unreal and exhilarating!..." Read more
Customers like the value for money of the board game. They mention it's worth the price, the realistic pieces are worth the extra cost, and it's a great purchase for their son.
"...The game is not cheap, and yet it is a good value for the quality, fun and reward the game provides...." Read more
"...This game is totally worth the $$$ we spent on it and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys strategy board games that don't use the luck of dice to..." Read more
"...Takes some time to learn, but it is so worth it. Give this game a couple of rounds and you will be hooked." Read more
"...the more expensive board games we own, it is probably one of the better values as far as quality and entertainment...." Read more
Customers find the board game has great replayability. They mention it has brilliant in-game mechanics that make things seem to flow freely. Customers also say the game is extensive and includes quality pieces. They mention the mechanics are fairly tight, but you do need to pay attention to details. Overall, customers say the base game has tons of mileage left.
"...Components are good, board is big. Art is pretty.The replay value is strong.The gameplay is quick once you've done a practice round...." Read more
"...Tons of replay value. Own all the expansions, including fenris...." Read more
"...Pros:Insane replay abilityOnce you pick it up, it’s easy to retainSUPER fun95% StrategyCompetitive..." Read more
"...There is a ton of replay value with this game since there are so many different combinations, each game is different...." Read more
Customers find the board game offers a variety of options. They mention it's complex, adapts to different play styles, and each game is different. Customers also appreciate the endless customization and variety of game boards.
"...There are tons of choices to make in the game...." Read more
"...high, as well, due to Scythe's rich assortment of "factions" and unpredictability. I can imagine nearly infinite ways a game could unfold...." Read more
"...enough to create replayability in that fashion and there are a variety of game boards to place all of your tokens that change up the way you play as..." Read more
"...Beautiful design! Many pieces! The game is fun to play. Very detailed & players have to keep track of several goals as they play...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the complexity of the board game. Some mention it's complex enough but not overwhelming, while others say it takes a long time and it's hard to learn all the rules at once.
"...Each action produces multiple results and keeps you making important decisions.There are tons of choices to make in the game...." Read more
"...Again, it's complex, but not so much that I would say anyone wanting to learn the game, wouldn't be able to, regardless of their prior knowledge of..." Read more
"This game looks busy, so many little pieces, so many little actions. However, it's not as it seems...." Read more
"It is challenging but very fun" Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the gameplay of the board game. Some mention it's fast, smooth, and addictive. Others say it's slow and deliberate, and has a tendency to end quickly and unexpectedly.
"...Art is pretty.The replay value is strong.The gameplay is quick once you've done a practice round...." Read more
"...The first game takes a long time and it’s hard to learn all the rules at once but don’t give up because after that it’s a breeze...." Read more
"...The games are long enough that you don't feel cheated out of an epic board game experience, but short enough that the ADD in your friends doesn't..." Read more
"...It is an immersive, lengthy game with a rather steep learning curve for casual games. It is suitable for patient adults and advanced adolescents...." Read more
Reviews with images
Best board game I’ve ever played!
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The system is what makes it work. If you have played enough games over the years one thing you will notice is how a few of the mechanics are borrowed. Little bits of other working games fitted in just right, like a recipe for a good meal. With that in mind, I would describe this game as a two-course meal. The action mats like the appetizer with the actions playing out on the game board like the main course. During the game, you will primarily interact with these two mechanics.
First the action boards. They are laminated cardboard, unlike whole pieces, this makes them feel heavier and longer-lasting. Most of your bits and bobs fit into these mats. The small squares, most of the figures and buildings start or stay on this matt. As you play you only be interacting with parts of this mat making things much more easier to manage. Each section is just two actions so you will never have to deal with more than these two actions. The main actions on the top will either give resources or allow you to perform an action on the game board while the bottom the optional action will always cost something but will upgrade something, making things easier later or allowing you to deploy something. The player mats are mainly for reference and will be interacted with only when needed, like deploying a mech or using an inlist action giving a quick bonus or stat upgrades.
The game board, this sucker is huge. Not only that but they have a larger board on the bottom that you can add to. On the game board, there are resources, tunnels, lakes and even a central factory. Using your action board you interact with the game board. Choose a move action and move a piece, choose a deploy action and deploy a worker. Using a secondary action to build/place a mech. Moving your workers onto a resource allows you to use the produce action to create resources that you can use any time to pay for costs on your action board. Doing this creates a cycle of production and paying costs to improve your possibilities. You're never doing more than one normal interaction with the game board at any one given time unless you start combat. By moving your character or mechs into spaces with your opponent's pieces starts combat. In this case, worker pieces will flee and or you fight your opponent's characters and mechs using combat cards and the combat dial. During gameplay, you will draw cards with numbers bonuses and gain power with the bolster action. Combat is easy, spend power using your dial and add power cards to add bonuses to it. Each player has the dial and cards face down, reveals them and the highest numbers win. That simple. The loser takes their peace and places them at the home base. The cost is though if you force workers to flee you will lose popularity, apparently, the people of your employer don't like seeing you bully unarmed people. Lastly on the game board are encounters. These are represented by tokens and if your player peace runs into one you draw an encounter card. These are great. Each one has three choices that are tied into one another and will put you in the situation to gain something and lose something depending on what you do. They represent great extra flavor and things that can mix things up.
Combat vs peace. Despite using mechs the game is only one part combat. The other two parts being production and popularity. Combat can be useful but it's not the endgame method. The game is balanced nicely to make it so that no one player can dominate in any one given area, instead of its all about taking what you can do to push past your opponents. In this way, combat is more of a tool used only when you really need to instead of an end-all solution. A player can initiate combat just with the idea of placing a star on the victory track or just when you really need to push out an opponent from a strategic spot. The same goes for resources, you can't win just doing what an econobox does. You will need to fight sooner or later and worrying about resources gives no direct advantage.
Popularity, the final component is how popular your character becomes, despite seemingly small, this is the last third of the game. In this case the more your people like you the more bonuses you get at the end of the game. The end goal is to end up the richest among your peers. You will earn some gold during the game but most of it will come from the popularity track. The multipliers on this track is a make it or break it, mechanic. Being down just one tier on this track can break a win. So popularity is very important and you need to keep in mind throughout the entire game.
One thing I want to bring up though is how the game is balanced so it's very difficult for any player to truly know if they are winning. No single player during this game will be able to say they are absolutely winning. Only at the final moments of calculations will anyone truly know. In the manual, it is stated that this is done on purpose. This is great because it makes for an enjoyable experience throughout the whole game. It makes it harder for those power gamers of the world to create bad situations and makes it easier for new players to enjoy themselves. There is a rule in the game that states that at no time should any player attempt to take their turn calculating the other players. If any player takes more than 30 seconds gauging the other players they automatically lose 10 popularity. A very large penalty considering that's more than half possible.
Overall I have really enjoyed this game despite my previous fears and recommend the base game for any player. For people who end up a fan than buying the expansions is definitely worth it. I got this game for 60, a great buy for a game you can easily spend 90 to 100 for at your local shop. The components despite being cardboard, plastic and wood are well made. The components even play into the rules a little to help smooth certain things over. This game is best for serious board game players but definitely accessible for people who are more casual. So give it a try and play on.
The good:
Components are good, board is big. Art is pretty.
The replay value is strong.
The gameplay is quick once you've done a practice round.
The solo mode (unfortunately, the only way I've played so far) is challenging and works pretty well. I've lost to it 3 times as I ran through some quick games to learn the rules.
The upgrade/build/recruit options are fun and new to me. Almost like they took an RTS PC game and translated it to the board. Each action produces multiple results and keeps you making important decisions.
There are tons of choices to make in the game. Almost too many...You'll be constantly challenged to make good decisions so you can't just sit back and coast. I think that, over time, I'll develop a better feel for which methods of generating Coins (victory points) are the most efficient.
Good amount of randomness, good amount of player control, no chance for a player to runaway and get too powerful,
The not so good:
One little wooden heart had an odd edge to it. Kind of ugly but not something I'm going to try to get a replacement for. Especially since it was only that one piece.
Only two little plastic component containers. I would have preferred 4 (one for each resource). There are abotut 10,000 tiny plastic bags for holding stuff. I ended up throwing most of them away.
Combat is a little bit disappointing considering how awesome the mechs look. I understand why it is the way it is, but you'll have to approach it differently. The mechs aren't actually your military power. They just allow you to USE the power you develop. As a miniature enthusiast, it was a bit of a letdown that such cool miniatures end up playing a less pronounced role in the game.
Solo mode is difficult to use at first since you learn all the basic rules, and then have to learn another set of rules on how to interact/run the AI. I think it works best for testing new strategies or getting to know the game. It will get boring eventually as the AI's plan is essentially the same every time: spread out, accumulate military strength then start attacking enemy units. The simplicity is offset by the AI's speed in accomplishing these things. Again, like a PC RTS, you can't let the computer run free or you'll be sorry in the late game.
In short. I think it is a great game. I have minor complaints but even with those it is easily one of the most balanced and challenging games I've ever played. It is a bit pricey but it seems that is the going rate for decent board games these days.
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Mexico on June 26, 2024