Scythe Expansions and Related Games: A Complete Guide

If you’re a fan of deep, strategic board games, Scythe might be exactly what you’re looking for. Designed by Jamey Stegmaier and published by Stonemaier Games, Scythe offers an immersive experience set in an alternate-history Eastern Europe. It’s a game about war, resource management, and strategy—where every decision counts. Whether you’re already hooked on the base game or you’re curious about what’s next, here’s a guide to all the expansions, spin-offs, and accessories that’ll help take your Scythe experience to the next level.

Scythe: The Base Game

Before diving into the expansions, it’s essential to get a good grasp on the base game. Scythe is a game of strategy and resource management, where you control a faction, build mechs, engage in battles, and complete objectives to win. The game is complex, with layers of strategy involving engine building, territorial control, and combat.

The game plays solo or with up to five players, and it typically takes 90-115 minutes to play. The base game is your foundation, and understanding it will make the expansions even more enjoyable. Plus, it’s packed with high-quality components, including miniatures that you can paint if you’re into that kind of thing. So, take your time to learn the ropes—there’s a lot to explore!

Scythe Expansions

Once you’re comfortable with the base game, you’ll find that Scythe has several expansions that introduce new mechanics, factions, and ways to play. Here’s a quick rundown of the ones worth checking out:

1. Invaders from Afar Expansion

• Players: 1-7

• Playtime: 115 minutes

• Price: Around $35

• What’s Included: 2 new factions (Albion and Togawa), additional player mats, and extra components for up to 7 players.

If you’re ready for more factions and players, Invaders from Afar is the perfect expansion. It adds two new factions to the game, each with its own abilities and strategy. The expansion also increases the player count, allowing up to 7 players to join the action. If you’re looking to shake up your Scythe experience and keep things fresh, this is a great place to start.

2. The Wind Gambit Expansion

• Players: 1-5

• Playtime: 115 minutes

• Price: Around $30

• What’s Included: 7 airship miniatures, airship tiles, ability tiles, and resolution tiles.

Take your Scythe experience to the skies with The Wind Gambit expansion! This adds airships, which bring a new layer of strategy to the game. The expansion introduces airship tiles that trigger end-game content and give you more options for controlling the battlefield. Whether you’re playing solo or with friends, this expansion makes the game feel even more dynamic and exciting.

3. The Rise of Fenris Expansion

• Players: 1-7

• Playtime: 115 minutes

• Price: Around $60

• What’s Included: 13 paintable miniatures, custom dice, modular tiles, and a campaign log.

If you’re looking for an expansion that completely changes the way you play, The Rise of Fenris is the one for you. This expansion adds a campaign mode with 8 episodic adventures, plus 11 modular components you can mix and match with the base game and other expansions. The campaign lets you explore a narrative, with choices that impact future sessions, while the modular play offers new ways to challenge your friends. Plus, there’s even a cooperative mode, which is a nice twist in a mostly competitive game.

Other Scythe Games and Spin-Offs

Scythe isn’t just one game—it has spin-offs that cater to different play styles and age groups. Whether you’re a fan of the original game or just looking for something new, these games give you more ways to enjoy the Scythe universe.

Expeditions

• Players: 1-5

• Playtime: 60-90 minutes

• Price: Around $80

• What’s Included: 5 large miniatures, mechs, location tiles, cards, and more.

Expeditions is a standalone sequel to Scythe, set years after the original game. This one doesn’t require you to know anything about Scythe to jump in. It’s a bit quicker, too—lasting around 60-90 minutes per game. You’ll still get that satisfying engine-building experience, but with a new theme focused on corruption and questing. It’s a perfect choice if you love the mechanics of Scythe but want a fresh setting and new challenges.

My Little Scythe

• Players: 1-6

• Playtime: 55 minutes

• Price: Around $60

• What’s Included: 14 paintable miniatures, custom apples, gems, and more.

For younger players or families, My Little Scythe is a lighter, more accessible version of the original game. With adorable animal characters and a focus on friendship, this version replaces combat with pie fights, making it much more family-friendly. It’s still strategic but less complex, so it’s perfect for kids aged 8 and up—or anyone who enjoys a more laid-back, whimsical version of the Scythe universe.

My Little Scythe: Pie in the Sky Expansion

• Players: 1-6

• Playtime: 45-60 minutes

• Price: Around $20

• What’s Included: New miniatures, airships, quest cards, and more.

In this expansion, the animals from My Little Scythe take to the skies with airships. The expansion adds new animals, quests, and airship mechanics that shake up the game. It’s a perfect addition if you’ve already enjoyed My Little Scythe and want to add more variety to the gameplay.

Scythe on Digital Platforms

For those who prefer digital gaming, Scythe is available on Steam and Tabletopia. The Steam version is great for solo play or multiplayer with friends, and it even has tutorials to help you learn the ropes. If you want to play with others online, Scythe is also available on Tabletopia, a browser-based platform where you can try the game for free at the Bronze level.

Scythe Accessories

If you love the physical components of Scythe, there are some amazing accessories to enhance your gameplay:

• Metal Coins – Upgrade your resources with beautifully crafted metal coins.

• Modular Board – Add more variety to your setup with interchangeable boards.

• Realistic Resources – Replace standard tokens with 3D resources for a more immersive experience.

• Legendary Box – Store all your Scythe components in a custom-designed storage box.

• Neoprene Playmat – A premium play surface that looks great and makes gameplay smoother.

Final Thoughts

Scythe is a fantastic game that offers hours of strategic gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting started, there’s an expansion, spin-off, or accessory that can add a new twist to your experience. From the classic Scythe game to Expeditions and My Little Scythe, there’s something for everyone in the Scythe universe. And if you’re into customizing your game, the accessories are a great way to make your Scythe experience even more immersive. Ready to dive in? Your next adventure awaits!