Duel of Meloch

To set up the game, place the double-sided play mat in the center and set up supplies for resources, coins, and workers. Randomly place face-down map tokens on spaces with map icons and corruption token stacks on spaces with dashed square boxes. Shuffle and place the factory cards, encounter cards, discovery cards, and the new Meloch deck alongside the board. Separate players so the Scythe player sits facing the popularity and power track, while the Expeditions player sits on the opposite side. Each player then sets up their chosen faction or mech components according to their respective game's rules, ensuring excluded items like airships are left out.

Players are locked in a duel where the main goal is to race your opponent to place a total of four stars onto the central triumph track. Only one star may occupy each specific category space, meaning players directly compete for the same achievements.

The game is played over a series of alternating turns, beginning with the Expeditions player. Players move their units across the shared map, explore locations by collecting map tokens, gather resources, trigger special card abilities, and manage specific faction actions adapted from both Scythe and Expeditions rules.

Scoring is achieved by fulfilling objectives listed on the triumph track. The Scythe player places stars immediately upon meeting requirements, whereas the Expeditions player must use a boast action. Winning combat also grants a star, and placing stars triggers Meloch card effects that provide bonuses to the active player.

The game instantly concludes the moment one player places their fourth star onto the triumph track, declaring them the winner. In rare stalemates where no stars can be reached, special base-attack rules may be unlocked to force a conclusion.