Scythe | Shea's Final Thoughts

A video outlining gameplay for the boardgame Scythe.

Part I: Gameplay Runthrough

Part II: Final Thoughts

Shea's Strategy video

[hanseathl]

One of my all-time favorites. In can't bring it to the table often enough but every time it hits the table I enjoy it tremendously.

[catherineblack]

I love this game! I admit my own setback in playing is that I am so focused on my own strategy that I forget to watch the other player. That is my hint to you: you must take everything into consideration. I really recommend this game, thought provoking, amazing set up, fabulous art, the plays have enormous random capabilities.

[dnaseb]

I started playing Iron Harvest last wekk, (a RTS in the scythe universe) and since I liked it so much, I went out and got Scythe with all of the expansions and the Digital Edition.

[trevorg]

This was my gateway game. I had played 7 wonders, Catan, Dominion, and other popular gateway games and I bounced off of all of them -- but then I played Scythe.

[chuhu]

I absolutely love this game at two players! And with the modular board you can play with only one tile if you want more interaction.

[benjaminbruhn]

Scythe is an amazing 2 player game if you use the coop module of the Fenris expansion.
Especially combined with the modular board

[JJ_TheGreat]

9:17 Yep, exactly! The first time I saw this game, I saw the mechs and I assumed that this game is a war-game.

[captainspoof]

I saw this pop up and thought I had time traveled a few years to pre covid times. But even tho I've played scythe a ton still enjoyed this

[Andres_mts]

It’s cool that you cover scythe, even though it’s alrdy a bit „older“. I don’t like that most reviews cover only the latest games since it’s also interesting how games hold up when they are already a bit older and I think the review quality gets even better if the reviewer had more time to play the game and have more experience with the game.

I think an important measurement of how good a game is, is whether the game is still played after few years or not. I guess there are a lot of games that were interesting when they first came out but were forgotten quite quickly :)

[brucesmith]

Thanks for the strategy guide! We have not played ours yet. We started with My Little Scythe which is great fun! Cheers!

[JJ_TheGreat]

9:33 But the thing is, is that this game dis-incentivizes combat as much as possible - and there are other ways to win without combat. Yes, I admit that some strategies do require a player to win at least one combat, but not all of them.

[JJ_TheGreat]

6:24 What about 3-player Scythe? Does it work (better than 2-player; but not as well as 4-player)?

[danielcarlsson]

It’s a keeper. We played the campaign and since then we haven’t played it. To many games and to little time to get 4 or more ppl to the table. But it’s a little like eclipse, with you building up and someone get into YOUR space and attack. So you collect things and do your thing and you have an eye on the others. But just wait for it. You will be attacked. Because you have the stars for winning a battle. And looks great and I’ve painted all quite good =)

[quesoblanco]

A very interesting dissection of Scythe. This is a game that has always befuddled me a bit. I'm attracted to the art and resource gathering, but put off by area control and combat. Your cromulent speech has truly embiggened me. I will have to check out your opening strategy vid, and give it another go. I also love that you covered an "older" game. Great vid! 5 Stars!

[michaelnewsome]

I just got the digital version of Scythe and I definitely enjoy the strategy of the game so far. I'll def check out your strategy video and get some early game tips.

[markalexandermaron]

It has been 3 years late... But still a very enjoyable video to watch. Better late than never as they say

[RobertAcurso]

This is a great sum-up of Scythe. It's a little too heavy and point salad-y (and maybe a little too mean for my taste) BUT it is a great game overall and not one to be missed if you're at all on the fence. If you're still not sure if you'd like it I def recommend intro vid's (including Shea's, linked above) or even the digital version on Steam that has a solid (and thorough!) teach for this game.

[marcinczyzewski]

Nice video, great cover up maybe the best sum-up video about Scythe I know. Jakub Rozalski is the artist of ilustrations and creator of whole theme, world in Scythe.
My second favourite boardgame after This War Of Mine TBG. I have all expansions, Legendary Box, and modular board. Even it wasn't cheapeast buy it's one of few games that are totally worth 100% of their price.
But despite all pros and some cons the best thing which shows how this game is great that people still talking about Scythe and still playing a lot, still on top 50 hot games on BGG and on top 20 games of all time on BGG.
I agree that this game is not for everyone but at least everyone should give it a try.
Scythe for me is essential game and one of the most important board games of XXI century.
Ofc I am proud that world 1920+ created by polish artist Jakub Rozalski was incorporated into such a great game as Scythe.

[thomasromanelli]

I think the mantra "Scythe is not for everyone" is probably the most accurate statement about this game. There's nothing wrong with any player who doesn't "get Scythe", and I applaud them for at least giving this title a try even if it didn't meet their expectations.

For the rest of us, the tremendous amount of player agency and choice, viable strategies, meaningful expansion content and overall production values have become the features by which we've judged other reputable games. Years on, I'm still learning tactical nuances and the subtle art of sequencing your turns for optimal efficiency. A focused strategy goes far in Scythe, and that important lesson gets driven home after a few games.

It's also a handsome game without any bling- but there's a ton of additional material (both official and 3rd party-sponsored) for those that want to trick out their personal copy.

My daughter noted the Xenomorph on the modular board. She's been enthralled by this game, although her biggest complaint is Jamey's choice of title- the box cover displays a stylistic sickle, NOT a scythe! 🤔

[frankmumann]

Funny. Have this game for years, now a review by you. Still love it. Only con for me ? The original board offers place for the first expansion. 🤔