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What is Scythe?
Designed by Jamey Stegmaier, with art and worldbuilding by Jakub Rozalski, Scythe puts players in charge of rival factions in Eastern Europa, where the mysterious Factory is a focal point of the setting. The publisher calls it an “engine-building, asymmetric, competitive board game.” In practical terms, factions start with different capabilities and resources, while player mats shape what actions cost and how efficiently players can carry them out. Stonemaier Games’ base-game listing describes the premise and components.
How does a game of Scythe work?
Players take turns selecting actions from their player boards rather than moving through conventional rounds or phases. Those actions let you improve your economy and position by upgrading actions, building structures, enlisting recruits, deploying mechs, and expanding to collect resources. The strategic puzzle is how to use your faction’s capabilities and player mat efficiently, and how to balance immediate needs against the benefits of developing your engine.
There is no player elimination, and units are not killed or destroyed. Combat is shaped by player choices and combat cards rather than a dice roll. The publisher identifies encounter and combat cards as the game’s random elements. A useful starting question is not simply “How do I win a fight?” but “Which action advances my position while keeping my engine productive?”
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#1 Best Overall
- Scythe Expansion: Empires have risen and fallen in the aftermath of the Great War, and Europa stands on the precipice of a new era. The economy is robust, morale is high, and defenses are strong. There are reports from the countryside of strange soldiers with glowing eyes, but they seem distant and harmless.
- Two New Modes of Play: Enables two different options for any player count (1-5 if you have Scythe; 1-7 players if you also have Invaders from Afar): campaign and modular play.
- Campaign: (8 games): The story of Scythe continues and concludes with an eight-episode campaign. While the campaign includes surprises, unlocks, and persistent elements, it is fully resettable and replayable.
- Modular: (11 modules): Instead of—or after—the campaign, the new modules in The Rise of Fenris can be used in various combinations to cater to player preferences. These modules are compatible with all Scythe expansions, and they include a fully cooperative module.
- Unlock the Mystery Contents and Story: While the exact nature of the episodes and modules will remain a mystery (most of these components are in 5 secret tuckboxes and on 6 punchboards), the components in this expansion include a detailed episodic guidebook, 13 plastic miniatures, 62 wooden tokens, 2 custom dice, 25 tiles, and 100+ cardboard tokens.
Is Scythe more about combat or building an engine?
Engine-building and resource development are central; the presence of mechs does not mean every game becomes a direct battle. Conflict still matters, and its importance depends on the situation. GamesRadar’s 2025 review describes an economic focus that can give way to more direct conflict, which is a reviewer’s assessment rather than a fixed rule about how every session unfolds. Read the GamesRadar review.
How many people can play, and how long does it take?
| Detail | Base game specification |
|---|---|
| Player count | 1–5 players |
| Estimated game length | About 115 minutes |
| Solo play | A solo rulebook is included |
These are the specifications on the publisher’s current English base-game listing, accessed in 2026; the duration is an estimate, not a guaranteed session time. Check the official listing for the edition’s current details.
Rank #2
- New Factions: While empires rise and fall in Eastern Europa, the rest of the world takes notice. Two distant factions, Albion and Togawa, send emissaries to scout the land and employ their own distinct styles of conquering.
- Increases Scythe Player Count: Add to your Scythe base game (required). Includes components which allow for Scythe to be played with as many as 7 players or to simply give players more options when choosing factions.
- 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).
- Solo Play: Features an Automa to play against in a 1-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, Wingspan, Tapestry, Pendulum, Red Rising, Rolling Realms Collection, Libertalia, Smitten, Expeditions, Apiary, Wyrmspan, Stamp Swap, Finspan, Tokaido, Vantage, Origin Story, Duel of Meloch, and Wingspan Pocket.
What comes in the base game?
The box is built around a large shared board and substantial faction components. The publisher lists multiplayer and solo rulebooks, a quick reference guide, five player mats, five faction mats, cards and tokens, wooden pieces, 20 plastic mech miniatures, five character miniatures, 48 wooden workers, and 36 technology cubes. See the official product page for the complete inventory.
Should you start with an expansion?
The Rise of Fenris
The Rise of Fenris is an expansion for owners of the base game. It adds an eight-game campaign and additional modules; the publisher says those modules work with all Scythe expansions, and one is fully cooperative outside the competitive campaign. It is the clearest next step if your group wants a continuing campaign rather than only standalone sessions. See the publisher’s expansion listing.
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- Two New Modules: Airships and Resolution modules added to Scythe (Base Game), which is required to play.
- Airships: A new type of unit; 1 big miniature for each of the 7 factions. Airships are free to move onto any territory (land or water) and across rivers.
- Resolution Module: Resolution tiles add a twist to the way each game ends. There are 8 of them, and 1 will be used each game. They often have an impact in the decisions you’ll make throughout the game.
- Beautifully Designed and Illustrated: Designed by Kai Starck (Pest) and Jamey Stegmaier (Viticulture). Richly developed alternate reality with interesting and beautiful 1920+ artwork done by Jakub Rozalski (Iron Harvest).
- Solo Play: Features an Automa to play against in a 1-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.
Optional accessories
Stonemaier’s Scythe collection also lists a natural rubber playmat and a modular board. These are optional; whether either is useful depends on your table setup and whether you want an alternate board arrangement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is there a digital version?
Scythe: Digital Edition is listed separately on Steam. It is a distinct digital product, not a substitute for owning the tabletop game, and the Steam listing should be checked for current details about its contents. View Scythe: Digital Edition on Steam.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Variability: The Scythe Modular Board adds a new level of variability to Scythe, with the map (double-sided board and 4 big double-sided tiles) and the faction locations (home base tiles) changing every time you play.
- Drafting: The modular board adds a drafting element to setup, along with a variant for a tighter map at low player counts.
- New Board: This is a completely new board designed specifically for the tiles (which are designed specifically for the new board). Both the board and the tiles are double-sided to maximize variability. When you play Scythe with the modular board, you will not play with any other version of the Scythe board.
- Modular: Use this modular board to create numerous different set ups for Scythe to keep your game exciting and up the replayability even more!
- Overview: Combines with the Scythe base game along with any of the expansions for Scythe (Invaders from Afar, Wind Gambit, and Rise of Fenris).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
