# SCOUT ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2019 - **BGG Rating**: 7.8 - **BGG Rank**: #106 - **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 20 min - **Weight**: 1.39 / 5 - **Designers**: Kei Kajino (梶野 桂) - **Artists**: Jun Sasaki, Kei Kajino (梶野 桂), Rie Komatsuzaki, Shohei Asaoka (浅岡昇平) - **Publishers**: Oink Games, One More Game!, 4 Kavky, asmodee, Galápagos Jogos, Gémklub - **Categories**: Card Game - **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Ladder Climbing, Score-and-Reset Game ## Verdict If you're looking for a fresh take on ladder-climbing card games, SCOUT offers a unique challenge with its fixed-order, dual-value cards that will constantly make you rethink your strategy. Innovative hand management with dual-value cards Engaging decisions with play or scout options High replayability from unique card combinations Surprisingly deep strategy for a light game Initial learning curve for hand manipulation Can feel restrictive with bad initial hands HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description SCOUT is a clever ladder-climbing card game where your hand of cards presents a challenge all its own! Imagine having cards with two different values on each end—like a 3/7 or a 5/2. The catch? You can't rearrange the order of cards in your hand after they're dealt. But don't worry, you can rotate your entire hand to use the values on the other end of each card, which already opens up a world of possibilities. There are 45 cards in total, featuring all possible combinations of numbers from 1 to 10, ensuring each game is unique right from the shuffle. On your turn, you have two main options: play or 'scout'. When you choose to play, you need to form a set of adjacent cards in your hand that either have the same value (like three 5s) or values in sequence (a 3-4-5, for example). This set can only be played if the table is empty or if it's stronger than the current set on the table. A set is stronger if it has more cards, if it consists of identical cards rather than sequential ones, or if it has the same quantity and type but with higher values. If you beat a set, you capture the cards from the previous set and keep them as points. The other action, 'scout', allows you to take a card from either end of the set on the table and add it anywhere to your hand, in any orientation. Whoever played the previous set earns 1 point for making a play that wasn't beaten. Once per round, you can 'scout' and then immediately play, which can be a powerful combo! The round ends when someone empties their hand or when all but one player have 'scouted'. At the end, you tally points for captured cards and lose points for cards left in your hand. You play a number of rounds equal to the number of players, and whoever has the most points wins. It's a game that makes you think a lot with simple rules! ## How to Play Objective of the Game Welcome to the thrilling world of **Scout**, a clever card game where you'll be trying to outmaneuver your opponent with strategic card plays! In the 2-player version, your goal is to score the most points over two intense rounds. You'll be playing sets of cards from your hand, aiming to empty your hand or force your opponent into a corner. Every card you play earns you points, and even unspent **Scout chips** contribute to your final score. Get ready to scout out the best plays and show off your card-playing prowess! Preparation (Setup) Getting ready for a game of **Scout** is quick and easy. Here’s how to set up for a 2-player duel: First, locate the **9/10 card** in the deck and remove it from play. This card is not used in the 2-player game. Next, deal 11 cards to each player. These cards will be used for the first round. Take the remaining 22 cards and set them aside. These cards will be used for the second round. Each player receives 3 **Scout chips**. Note that **Scout & Show chips** are not used in the 2-player game. You're all set! The player who goes first will immediately take the **Show** action. The Turn of Play A turn in **Scout** is all about deciding whether to **Scout** or **Show**. Here’s how it works, with a special twist for the 2-player game: The first turn of the game is straightforward: the first player *must* **Show**. For all subsequent turns, a player will choose one of two actions: Scout: If you choose to **Scout**, you must spend 1 of your 3 **Scout chips**. Place this chip into the center of the board. An important distinction for the 2-player game is that the opposing player *does not* receive a **Scout chip** when you **Scout**, even if they own the **Active Set**. Show: When you **Show**, you play a set of cards from your hand that beats the current **Active Set** on the table. Here's the exciting part about successive turns in the 2-player game: The same player must continue to take successive turns until they either **Show** or can no longer **Scout** because they have run out of **Scout chips**. This means you might take multiple turns in a row before your opponent gets another turn! You cannot refuse to **Scout** to conserve chips; you must continue taking concurrent turns until you can either **Show** or have no **Scout chips** left. End of Game and Scoring The game unfolds over two rounds, and knowing when a round ends and how to score is crucial for victory! A round concludes when either of these conditions is met: A player has no cards left in their hand after they take a **Show** action. On a player’s turn, they are unable to **Show** *and* they have run out of **Scout chips**, making them unable to take another **Scout** action. Scoring is performed at the end of each round. While the general scoring is the same as the 3-5 player game (which isn't detailed here, but implies points for cards played), there's a special addition for the 2-player version: Players will receive 1 **Victory Point (VP)** for each remaining **Scout chip** they have not spent at the end of the round. This means you can earn a maximum of 3 points from unspent chips! Remember, the game lasts for two rounds, so keep track of your scores after each round to determine the ultimate **Scout** champion! Tips for Winning Mastering **Scout** in a 2-player setting requires a keen eye and strategic thinking. Here are a couple of tips to help you secure victory: Manage Your Scout Chips Wisely: Since you don't pass **Scout chips** to your opponent, every chip you spend is a chip gone forever. Evaluate carefully if scouting is truly necessary or if you can hold out for a better **Show** opportunity. Those unspent chips are worth points at the end of the round! Force Consecutive Turns: The rule about taking successive turns is a huge tactical element. If you can play a strong **Active Set** that your opponent struggles to beat, you might force them to **Scout** multiple times, depleting their chips and potentially leading to a round end where they can't **Show** or **Scout**. Look for opportunities to create these "lock-out" situations! ## FAQ ### What is the average playtime for a game of SCOUT? A game of SCOUT is quite quick, usually between 20 and 40 minutes, perfect for filling that gap between longer games or for several rounds in a row! ### How many players can play SCOUT? SCOUT is super versatile and can be played by 2 to 5 players. The experience changes a bit depending on the number, but it's always fun! ### What is the complexity level of SCOUT? It's considered quite light, with a weight of 1.3879/5 on BGG. The rules are easy to learn, but the strategy to master the game is its charm! ### Who is SCOUT for? It's for those looking for a clever card game with interesting tactical decisions and a touch of luck. If you enjoy card puzzles and interacting with other players' plays, you'll love it! ### What are the main components of the game? Basically, the game comes with 45 double-sided numbered cards, which are the heart of SCOUT, plus some scoring tokens. Simple and effective! ### Is there any language dependency in SCOUT? No, SCOUT has no language dependency! The cards are just numbers and symbols, so anyone can play without language barriers. ### Is SCOUT a good game for beginners? Absolutely! The rules are easy to pick up, making it a great gateway into the world of board games, but with enough depth to keep more experienced players entertained. ## Price Comparison ### Best Offers in Brazil - **Amazon**: R$ 165,03 (https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B09Q99T87T?tag=bgbot26-20) - **Caixinha Boardgames**: R$ 129,27 (https://www.caixinhaboardgames.com.br/produtos/scout/?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **Cangaia Jogos**: R$ 130,19 (https://www.cangaiajogos.com.br/todos-os-jogos/jogos-para-familia/scout-pre-venda?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **Tubaleria**: R$ 132,99 (https://tubaleria.store/produtos/scout-cfrmm/?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **Javali Jogos**: R$ 133,00 (https://www.javalijogos.com.br/scout?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **Alquimistas dos Jogos**: R$ 134,81 (https://www.alquimistasdosjogos.com.br/jogos/scout?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/scout ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 12.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5927839&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 16.90 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=7090224&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 16.97 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4819700&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 16.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3243093&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 16.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4801626&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 17.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6186743&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 19.51 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3363570&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 20.78 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3401272&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 21.58 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4557360&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 21.58 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4318404&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/41115/scout?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com