
- BGG rank
- BGG #562
- BGG rating
- 8.3
Mythic Battles: Pantheon
- 2–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 2017

2002
Rules assistance for Scarab
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Scarab is a board game released in 2002 for 2–4 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Nico Reuter and its main mechanics are Area Movement and Team-Based Game.
Egypt 2100 BC: In the temple of Thot, god of science and inventor of the game, the priests met annually to choose the highest priest of the temple. They did so by playing the game. Therefore they gathered around a board studded with Scarabs. The goal of the game was to collect as many pieces as possible. Because the one who had the most valuable collection at the end of the game was chosen to be the highest priest of Thot for the following year. Players move around a grid trying to collect the highest numbered tiles and force their opponents to take low or negative numbered tiles. Can be played in partnership with 4.
Scarab supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Scarab is 20 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Scarab for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Scarab has a complexity rating of 2.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Scarab belongs to these categories: Number and Ancient. Its main mechanics are Area Movement and Team-Based Game. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Scarab are: Nico Reuter. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Scarab as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.