- BGG rank
- BGG #15,645
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Mandarin
- 3–5 players
- 50 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 1991
- BGG rank
- BGG #26,091
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Scorpion
1983
Rules assistance for Scorpion
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.3/5
Rules assistant for Scorpion
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Scorpion is a board game released in 1983 for 2–4 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Tom Kremer and its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move and Dice Rolling.
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About the game
Scorpion is an elegant variation on the Pachisi/Ludo style of race game. The board comprises a raised S-shaped track with baize-coated recesses for throwing the dice. The poker-chip sized pieces, embossed with scorpions, also stack neatly onto the impressively designed and attractive playing surface. The race starts with players entering their pieces onto the yellow track. After 18 spaces, when the end of the initial S has been reached, players double-back on themselves, taking the black track to return home. The twist lies in that a scorpion may "sting" another, not just by landing on the same space, but also by landing on an adjacent space on the other coloured track. This enables a player to hinder opponents or to boost his own position by switching scorpions onto the other track. Unfortunately, the rather minimalist rules supplied do not cover every gameplay eventuality. In particular, the knock-on effect that occurs frequently on a congested board, where a "stung" scorpion may inadvertently sting another is not explained in a satisfactory manner.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Spear's Games
- Clementoni
- Habourdin International
Questions and answers
Scorpion 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 Scorpion 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 Scorpion 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.
Scorpion has a complexity rating of 2.3 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.
Scorpion belongs to these categories: Racing. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move and Dice Rolling. 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 Scorpion are: Tom Kremer. 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 Scorpion 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.