Lords of Scotland

Today's game review is of the 2010 release, Lords of Scotland.  For 2-5 players, it takes 30 minutes.

Game Overview
The king's throne lies empty, begging for a strong leader to unite bickering clans and assume the right to rule.  Muster your clans, use their powers if you can, and ascend to the top!

In Lords of Scotland, you amass and play armies (clan cards).  Each clan card has a bloodline (family name), strength (number 1-12) and power (based on the bloodline).  See below examples.

example cards; image from here

Simplified Gameplay
After setting up the table according to the rules (establishing a draw pile, recruit row, support row, and discard pile) and drawing 5 cards, the game is played over a series of skirmishes.  Each skirmish lasts 5 rounds.  One round gives each player a turn in clockwise order, during which you prepare by:
- recruiting (drawing a card from the recruit row) or
- mustering (playing a card to the table)

At the end of the 5 rounds, sum the strength of your played cards (doubling the total if they're all of one bloodline) and compare the total to your opponents'; highest total wins and claims a supporter from the support row.  These are clan cards randomly selected and displayed on the side of the table, the value of which equals its strength (remember: numbered 1-12).  The player with the second highest total picks the next supporter and so on until each player has a supporter.  You can pick any supporter you wish on your turn; generally, you'll choose the highest valued.  Then your played cards are discarded, recruit/support rows discarded (and replenished), and a new skirmish begins; the first player to accumulate 40 total power in supporters wins the throne!

One nuance to the game is clan powers.  When you muster (play a card), you can play it face up or face-down.  If you play it face up and it's the lowest strength played so far that skirmish, you can activate its power.  The powers inject fun twists into the game, allowing you to draw cards, switch army members with another player, take a second supporter at the end of the skirmish, and more.

Since you can replenish your hand only through recruiting during the game, you have manage it carefully.  And since the support row is randomly selected, there are some skirmishes you may want to focus on recruiting because the potential victory points are low.  So plan carefully.

Review
I like this game.  It takes a skirmish or two to get the hang of it, but it's simple with fun twists, nice variety, strategic depth, and good interaction.  Highly recommended.

Rating: A