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Hammer of the Scots
Columbia Games · 2002
2120–180 min12+ yrs3.0/5 complexity7.5 BGG#802 BGG5,7 KCouplesStrategy
⚡ short answer
How do you play Hammer of the Scots?
The primary objective in Hammer of the Scots is to control the most nobles by the end of the game. Nobles are special units that can change allegiance, making their control a dynamic and crucial aspect of victory. Alternatively, a player can achieve an instant victory by capturing and controlling all nobles currently on the game board, regardless of the year or remaining turns.
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the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
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01
Setup
Place player markers on the year track, set up units on the map according to the chosen scenario, shuffle the event and movement cards, and deal five to each player.
The rules, step by step
Setup
To set up Hammer of the Scots, first place the blue (Scottish) and red (English) player markers on the starting year of the chosen scenario (1297 for Braveheart, 1306 for The Bruce). Units are then deployed on the map according to the specific instructions for the selected scenario, with units placed upright to conceal their strength from the opponent. The deck of event and movement cards is shuffled, and five cards are dealt face down to each player to form their starting hand for the first round.
Objective
The primary objective in Hammer of the Scots is to control the most nobles by the end of the game. Nobles are special units that can change allegiance, making their control a dynamic and crucial aspect of victory. Alternatively, a player can achieve an instant victory by capturing and controlling all nobles currently on the game board, regardless of the year or remaining turns.
On your turn
Each year consists of one to five rounds, determined by card play. A round begins with both players simultaneously choosing and revealing one card from their hand. Event cards are resolved first, with the player who played an event becoming the first player for the next phase. If no event cards are played, the player who played the highest movement card becomes the first player. Next, players take turns moving their units based on the movement value of their played card, respecting movement rules across borders. Finally, any battles in contested territories are resolved.
Scoring
Scoring occurs at the end of the final year of the chosen scenario. Players tally the number of nobles they currently control. The player who controls the highest number of nobles is declared the winner. Nobles captured from the opponent count towards your total, and nobles can switch sides during the game, making their allegiance a key factor in final scoring.
Game end
The game concludes in one of two ways: either by reaching the end of the specified years for the chosen scenario (1305 for Braveheart, 1314 for The Bruce), or if one player achieves an instant victory by capturing all nobles on the board. If the game ends due to the completion of all years, the player with the most controlled nobles wins. If an instant victory condition is met, the game immediately ends, and that player wins.
Tips
A key strategy is to leverage the 'fog of war' by keeping your unit strengths hidden until combat. Understanding the attack order (A units before B, B before C) and the non-simultaneous combat resolution is vital for effective battle planning. Pay close attention to nobles, as they are the primary victory condition and can be swayed to your side. Utilize the winter phase for regrouping and reinforcing your forces, especially by drawing new units from your bag based on controlled castle points.
game anatomy
Complexity3.0 / 5
BGG rating7.5 / 10
Vibe
CouplesStrategy
Language dependence
Some text — easily memorized
Play time
120–180 min
Players
2
Recommended age
12+ yrs
BGG rank
#802
from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The primary objective in Hammer of the Scots is to control the most nobles by the end of the game. Nobles are special units that can change allegiance, making their control a dynamic and crucial aspect of victory. Alternatively, a player can achieve an instant victory by capturing and controlling all nobles currently on the game board, regardless of the year or remaining turns.
Q2How do you set up the game?
To set up Hammer of the Scots, first place the blue (Scottish) and red (English) player markers on the starting year of the chosen scenario (1297 for Braveheart, 1306 for The Bruce). Units are then deployed on the map according to the specific instructions for the selected scenario, with units placed upright to conceal their strength from the opponent. The deck of event and movement cards is shuffled, and five cards are dealt face down to each player to form their starting hand for the first round.
Q3How does a turn work?
Each year consists of one to five rounds, determined by card play. A round begins with both players simultaneously choosing and revealing one card from their hand. Event cards are resolved first, with the player who played an event becoming the first player for the next phase. If no event cards are played, the player who played the highest movement card becomes the first player. Next, players take turns moving their units based on the movement value of their played card, respecting movement rules across borders. Finally, any battles in contested territories are resolved.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
Scoring occurs at the end of the final year of the chosen scenario. Players tally the number of nobles they currently control. The player who controls the highest number of nobles is declared the winner. Nobles captured from the opponent count towards your total, and nobles can switch sides during the game, making their allegiance a key factor in final scoring.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes in one of two ways: either by reaching the end of the specified years for the chosen scenario (1305 for Braveheart, 1314 for The Bruce), or if one player achieves an instant victory by capturing all nobles on the board. If the game ends due to the completion of all years, the player with the most controlled nobles wins. If an instant victory condition is met, the game immediately ends, and that player wins.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
A key strategy is to leverage the 'fog of war' by keeping your unit strengths hidden until combat. Understanding the attack order (A units before B, B before C) and the non-simultaneous combat resolution is vital for effective battle planning. Pay close attention to nobles, as they are the primary victory condition and can be swayed to your side. Utilize the winter phase for regrouping and reinforcing your forces, especially by drawing new units from your bag based on controlled castle points.
Q7How much does Hammer of the Scots cost?
No store is currently tracking Hammer of the Scots. Check the Prices tab — you can set a price alert to be notified when it appears.
Q8Where can I buy Hammer of the Scots cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q9How do you play Hammer of the Scots?
Hammer of the Scots is a medieval game, for 2 players, taking ~120–180 minutes, featuring area movement. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about Hammer of the Scots — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does Hammer of the Scots support?
Hammer of the Scots is played by 2 players.
Mechanics & categories