Scythe Board Game

Master Strategic Empire Building in Alternate 1920s Europa

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 Board Game available at Backwoods Wizards delivers an engine building game set in this alternate history where farming and war, broken hearts and rusted gears, innovation and valor collide. Designed by Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games, this base game supports 1-5 players across approximately 115 minutes of deeply strategic gameplay. Each player represents a fallen leader attempting to restore their honor and lead their faction to power in Eastern Europe through territory control, resource management, and tactical deployment of monstrous mechs.

Why You’ll Love Scythe

• Asymmetric Faction Play – Command one of five factions, each offering different abilities, starting positions, and strategic pathways to victory

• Streamlined Action Selection Mechanism – Choose from four top-row actions with minimal downtime, keeping gameplay moving at a brisk pace

• Multiple Paths to Victory – Earn stars through combat, engine building, completing objective cards, or expanding your territory control

• Premium Components – 25 detailed miniatures, custom wooden resources (no generic resource cubes here), and dual-layered player mats that prevent pieces from shifting

• Strategic Depth Without Dice Rolling – Master game mechanics that reward planning over luck, giving you almost complete control over your faction’s destiny

What Makes Scythe Different

Most war games focus entirely on direct conflict, while typical engine building games often feel like multiplayer solitaire. Scythe integrates both approaches seamlessly.

Scythe Board Game is built differently:

• Cold War Tension – Combat is costly and strategic, creating psychological pressure without constant battles; winning fights costs power and combat cards, while losing damages popularity

• Integrated Mechanisms – Engine building, territory control, and resource production work together so that every decision ripples across your entire strategy

• Thematic Immersion – Polish artist Jakub Różalski’s stunning artwork brings the dieselpunk alternate reality of 1920s Europa to life, making each encounter feel like stepping into newly explored lands

How Scythe Works

1. Choose Your Action Select one of four columns on your player mats: Move, Bolster, Trade, or Produce. You cannot repeat the same action in consecutive turns (except with Rusviet’s faction ability), forcing varied tactical approaches.

2. Execute Bottom-Row Actions Build structures, deploy mechs, enlist new recruits, or upgrade your capabilities. These powerful actions accelerate your engine building and unlock faction-specific mech abilities.

3. Race to Six Stars Earn stars through achievements—deploying all mechs, winning combat, building structures, completing your hidden goal, and more. When any player places their sixth star, the game immediately ends.

Victory is determined by total coins earned from territories you control, resources gathered, stars placed, and your popularity multiplier. The whole game rewards balanced strategy over pure aggression.

Product Details

• Players: 1-5 players (includes Automa cards for solo play)

• Playtime: 115 minutes average

• Age Range: 14+ years

• Designer: Jamey Stegmaier (Stonemaier Games)

Included in the Box:

• 1 game board

• 5 dual-layered player mats

• 5 faction mats

• 3 rulebooks and guides

• 2 power dials

• 31 Automa cards (solo variant)

• 28 encounter cards

• 23 objective cards

• 42 combat cards

• 12 factory cards

• 25 miniatures

• 80 custom wooden resources

• 40 custom wooden meeples

• 20 custom wooden structures

• 50 wooden tech cubes & recruits

• 30 custom wooden stars

• 15 custom wooden player tokens

• 80 cardboard coins

• 6 structure bonus tiles

• and more…

Available at Backwoods Wizards with free U.S. shipping over $89

Who Scythe Is Perfect For

Ideal for:

• Strategy gamers who enjoy engine building and area control mechanics

• Players seeking meaningful player interaction beyond simple direct conflict

• Board game enthusiasts who appreciate premium components and the game’s theme brought to life through exceptional artwork

• Groups looking for games that scale beautifully from a two player game to five

• Anyone ready to play Scythe and experience one of the most acclaimed other games in modern hobby gaming

Whether you’re a competitive tournament player or enjoy casual strategy nights, the Scythe experience delivers at every player count.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Scythe a war game? Not primarily. While players conquer territory and engage in combat, the combat system is selective and costly. Most games see limited battles as the engine building and resource management take center stage. Think of it as cold war tension rather than constant warfare.

How long does it take to learn? The streamlined action selection mechanism makes your first game approachable. New players typically grasp the core mechanics within a few turns, though mastering faction-specific strategies and the interplay between objective and encounter cards takes several plays to fully appreciate.

Does it work well with 2 players? Absolutely. While the modular board and higher player counts create more territory pressure, the two player game maintains strategic tension through competition for the mysterious factory’s powerful factory cards and control territories that determine final scoring points.

What makes the factions different? Each of the five factions features unique abilities that fundamentally change how you play. Rusviet can repeat actions; Crimea converts combat cards to resources; Nordic workers cross rivers freely; Polania gains extra encounter card options; Saxony can earn unlimited combat stars. Combined with different player boards, no two games feel identical.

Is the solo mode worth playing? The Automa variant provides genuine strategic challenge. The 31 Automa cards simulate an opponent with distinct behavior patterns, making solo play a worthwhile experience for any Scythe fan looking to sharpen their skills or enjoy Scythe when a group isn’t available.

Ready to Command Your Faction?

Stop settling for games with random elements that undermine your strategic planning. Choose Scythe Board Game and experience complete control over your faction’s rise to power in 1920s Europa.

Backwoods Wizards offers reliable shipping, secure checkout, and a 30-day return policy. Whether this is your entry into the world of Stonemaier Games or you’re adding to your collection alongside Little Scythe or the digital edition, now is your moment to activate monstrous mechs, produce resources, and rewrite history.

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Free U.S. shipping on orders over $89. Satisfaction guaranteed.