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SCOUT (2019) Board Game

ByMichail

SCOUT is a card game released in 2019 by Oink Games, designed by Kei Kajino. It is a strategic game that requires players to utilize hand management skills to climb up the ladder and score points.

Game Components of SCOUT

  • Cards:** Each card has two different numbers, one on the top and one on the bottom, with the bottom number also visible as a smaller subscript on the top side.
  • Scout and Show Tokens:** Each player has a single-use token per round to perform both scouting and showing actions.
  • Scout Tokens:** Used as compensation for players whose cards are scouted.
  • First Player Token:** Determines the starting player for each round.

    How To Setup SCOUT

    To set up SCOUT, players are dealt a hand of cards, which they cannot rearrange once picked up. However, they can flip their entire hand upside down at the beginning of the round to use the numbers on the other side if they find them more favorable. After this initial flip, the cards must remain in their chosen order.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Objective:** Be the first to run out of cards or have the highest points by playing stronger sets than other players.
  • Actions:**
  • Show:** Play cards that form a set or a run stronger than the current active set on the table.
  • Scout:** Take a card from the active set, adding it to your hand in any orientation. The owner of the scouted card receives a scout token.
  • Scout & Show:** Once per round, scout a card and then play a stronger set.
  • Set Rules:**
    – Cards must be consecutive in your hand.
    – Sets can be either the same value or in absolute order (ascending or descending).

  • Round End:**
    – The round ends when a player runs out of cards or a player’s set cannot be overpassed by others.

  • Scoring:**
    – Gain points for each card collected by showing better sets.
    – Gain points for each scout token.
    – Lose points for each card remaining in your hand at the end of the round.

    Player Experience

    SCOUT is a game of one-upmanship, where players constantly try to outdo each other by playing the best sets. The game requires a balance between playing cards to reduce your hand size and scouting cards to build up powerful combinations. This balance makes the game strategically rich, with each decision impacting the outcome significantly. Players must think ahead, recognizing patterns and setting up future moves, making it a thinky filler that appeals to both casual and experienced gamers.

    Pros

  • Smart Design:** Encourages strategic thinking and planning.
  • Easy to Explain:** Simple rules make it accessible to new players.
  • Quick Playing Time:** Rounds are typically 15-30 minutes long.
  • Compact:** Ideal for travel due to its small size.
  • Scalable:** Works well with different player counts.

    Cons

  • Luck-Dependent:** The initial hand deal can significantly affect the game’s outcome.
  • Swingy Scoring:** Large point swings can occur between rounds.

    Personal Thoughts on SCOUT

    SCOUT is perfect for those who enjoy strategic card games that require forward thinking and quick decision-making. It’s an excellent addition to any game collection, suitable for both family game nights and competitive gaming sessions. The game’s compact size and short playtime make it an ideal filler game to play between longer sessions or during travel. However, players who prefer games with less luck dependence might find the initial hand deals and scoring swings challenging. Overall, SCOUT is a clever and engaging game that will keep you coming back for more.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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