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.
Scythe is a Worker Placement/Economic Engine 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.
In Scythe, each player represents a character from one of five factions of Eastern Europa 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.
Each player begins the game with different resources (power, coins, combat acumen, and popularity), 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 (each faction always starts in the same place).
A Game of Strategy and Tactics
Scythe gives players almost complete control over their fate. Other than each player's individual hidden objective card, the only elements of luck or variability are "Encounter" cards that players will draw as they interact with the citizens of newly explored lands. Each encounter card provides the player with several options, allowing them to mitigate the luck of the draw through their selection. 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 for players who seek it, there is no player elimination.
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, activate 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.
Objectives and Goals
In Scythe, each player represents a character attempting to make their faction the richest and most powerful in Eastern Europa.
Players will explore and conquer territory, enlist new recruits, produce resources and workers, build structures, and deploy monstrous mechs.
A game of Scythe typically begins with players building up their infrastructure, exploring the world, and later engaging each other in combat.
The game progresses as players place stars (achievements) on the board, and it ends when a player places their 6th star on the Triumph Track.
Full Solo Mode Included!
When you don't have the time, option, or desire to get a gaming group together, don't worry. Scythe has you covered.
The rulebook includes and introduces an artificial opponent called Automa to Scythe, so that it can be played solitaire.
As the player, you follow the same rules as you would in a game against another human. The Automa, however, follows a simplified rule set, purposefully designed to reduce the burden of running the Automa.
Locations
Main Components
Nordic (Blue)
