86

Scout is a clever, ladder-climbing card game where players cannot rearrange their hand of cards. To win, players must play sets or runs of cards to create "shows" stronger than the previous player's. A unique twist allows players to "scout" cards from other players' shows to improve their own hand, adding a dynamic layer of strategy.

86

The Verdict

based on 31 reviews

Positive 0%
Negative 0%
Unique hand management rule where cards cannot be rearranged, creating tension and strategic decisions
Dual-indexed cards offering two possible hand configurations, adding depth and decision-making from the start
Quick playtime (typically 15-20 minutes) makes it easy to fit multiple rounds and enhances replayability
Easy to teach and learn, appealing to both new and experienced gamers with emergent complexity
Portable small box design, characteristic of Oink Games, making it convenient for travel
The circus theme is largely considered pasted-on and forgettable, having little impact on gameplay
Luck of the initial draw can be significant, with strong adjacent runs providing a clear advantage that skill alone may not overcome
The two-player variant is often less engaging and feels less natural due to modified rules compared to 3-5 players
Some criticisms regarding component quality, such as flimsy cards and small, fiddly tokens, and a wish for a slightly larger box for better storage
100
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Shut Up & Sit Down, Thomas BoardgamesVideo

Shut Up & Sit Down enthusiastically recommends 'Scout,' highlighting it as a fantastically designed card game. The review praises its clever mechanics, ease of learning, and portability, deeming it one of the best card games available.

100
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
Roll To Review, David NorrisArticle

Scout is a clever, addictive card game where fixed hand orientations force players to carefully balance aggressive runs with strategic card-scouting.

95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Board Game Rundown, BoardvengersVideo

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Scout as a brilliant and highly recommended small-box card game, considering it one of the best they have played in a long time.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Meeple and the MooseArticle

Scout is a clever, highly portable card game centered on strict hand management and fixed-order card flipping. While high luck and occasional bad deals can sting, its fast playtime, tactical depth, and satisfying combos make it a brilliant, highly recommended filler.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
The Board Game CollectionArticleTop List

Scout is hailed as a strategic card game from Oink Games, praised for its depth as players manipulate card combinations despite a fixed hand order. It's considered an engaging game suitable for all ages.

See list
90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
BoardGameBollocks, BoardGameBollocksVideo

The reviewer highly praises 'Scout' as one of the best small card games they have played in a long time, noting its excellent replayability and novel mechanics, despite issues with its non-existent theme, initial teaching difficulty, and poorly organized rulebook.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Board Game Gumbo, BJArticle

Scout is a clever, highly portable card shedding and ladder-climbing game featuring engaging hand-management twists like unalterable card orientations and a satisfying 'scout and show' mechanic.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Geeks Under Grace, Derek ThompsonArticle

Scout is celebrated as an incredibly unique and innovative ladder-climbing card game, offering thoughtful decisions and emergent strategy, and is highly recommended for fans of the genre despite minor issues with player count suitability and component quality.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Zen Of Design, Damion SchubertArticle

Scout is a tense, silly, and excellent go-to filler card game, praised for its ease of teaching and portability despite a weak theme. The game cleverly combines manipulation and social trust, making it a top choice among filler games.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Co-op Board Games, Ronny AlexanderArticle

This review praises SCOUT's innovative 'no rearranging hand' rule for creating tension and strategic depth in a quick, portable card game, making it easy to teach for 3-5 players. However, it notes that luck of the draw can be significant, the 2-player variant is weaker, and the circus theme is superficial.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
The Opinionated Gamers, James NathanArticle

Scout is an engaging climbing card game that brilliantly twists traditional hand management by prohibiting card rearrangement and allowing players to 'scout' cards from active plays to improve their own hands.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Punchboard, AdamArticle

Scout is a brilliantly compact card game with surprising depth, where players must work with an immutable hand order to play or draft sets and score points. It plays best at higher counts and is universally recommended.

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