Raiders of Scythia (2020) Board Game

Raiders of Scythia is a standalone board game that is inspired by the original design of Raiders of the North Sea. This game takes players on a journey through the lands of ancient Scythia, where they must gather provisions, recruit warriors, and raid neighboring settlements to earn victory points. Designed by Shem Phillips and illustrated by Sam Phillips, Raiders of Scythia was released in 2020 by Garphill Games.

Game Components of Raiders of Scythia

1 Main Board

4 Player Boards

26 Quests

136 Cards

1 Plunder Bag

80 Plunder Tokens

32 Wounds

32 Kumis

32 Provisions

31 Workers

6 Dice

4 Score Markers

32 Silver

1 Illustrated Rulebook

Horses and Eagles for crew customization.

How To Setup Raiders of Scythia

To set up the game, players begin by placing the Main Board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a Player Board and places it within reach. The Quests, Plunder Tokens, Wounds, Kumis, Provisions, and Silver are distributed as per the rulebook. Workers are placed on designated spaces on the Main Board. Each player selects a Scythian Hero, each with unique player powers. The crew cards, which include hiring costs, unique raiding abilities, and Town abilities, are shuffled and placed within reach. The game is ready to start once all components are properly arranged and the initial setup actions are completed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Worker Placement: Players place workers on the board to perform actions and then take another worker off.

Dice Rolling: Used for resolving raids.

Hand Management: Managing crew cards and resources.

Contracts: Completing Quests for rewards.

Variable Player Powers: Each Scythian Hero has unique abilities.

Card Drafting: Drawing crew cards and other resources.

Game Objective:

The objective is to be the player with the most Victory Points (VP) at the game’s end. VP are gained by raiding Settlements, taking Plunder, and completing Quests. Players must assemble a Crew, train Animals (horses and eagles), and gather Provisions. The game ends when there are only 2 unraided Settlements or 2 Quests remaining on the Main Board.

Player Experience

Raiders of Scythia offers a dynamic and immersive experience, capturing the essence of raiding and conquest. Players must strategically manage their workers, resources, and crew to maximize their chances of success. The game’s “one in, one out” mechanic adds a layer of complexity, requiring careful planning. As players progress, they move south on the map, raiding more powerful settlements and managing their supply chain through the acquisition of wagons. The solo mode is highly intuitive and balanced, making it an excellent option for solo players.

Pros

Thematic Depth: The game effectively captures the feel of ancient raiding and conquest.

Strategic Complexity: The “one in, one out” worker placement mechanic adds depth to the game.

Variable Player Powers: Unique abilities for each Scythian Hero enhance replayability.

Smooth Solo Mode: An excellent solo experience that mimics playing against other players.

High Replayability: Multiple paths to victory and variable setup ensure different games each time.

Cons

Similar to Predecessor: Some may find it too similar to Raiders of the North Sea, making it less appealing if you already own that game.

Luck Element Reduced but Still Present: While the game has reduced the luck-based component, dice rolling still introduces some randomness.

Price: The game can be expensive, especially if you are not a fan of the artwork or theme.

Personal Thoughts on Raiders of Scythia

Raiders of Scythia is ideal for fans of worker placement games and those who appreciate a well-thematic experience. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy strategic planning and resource management. If you are a fan of the Vikings but are looking for a fresh take with a different historical setting, Raiders of Scythia offers a compelling alternative. However, if you already own Raiders of the North Sea and prefer the Viking theme, you might not find enough new elements to justify the purchase. Nonetheless, the game’s unique mechanics and immersive gameplay make it a valuable addition to any board game collection.

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