Scout Cover Artwork from Oink-Games Japan on a white background
Scout Rear Cover Artwork from Oink Games Japan on a white background
Scout Cover Artwork laid on top of the game cards from Oink Games Japan
Scout Gameplay with cards being drawn from Oink Games Japan
Scout box contents from Oink Games Japan on a table top

Scout | Ladder Climbing Card Game

Regular price£22.00
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Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

  • Free UK shipping on orders over £75
  • In stock, ready to ship
  • Inventory on the way

Scout is a clever and fast moving trick taking card game designed by Kai Kajino from Japanese games producer, Oink Games.

The concept is that each player is a circus ringmaster looking to create the best act in the circus. This is done by combining cards in your hand to form runs and sets that represent the strength of the act. The twist here is that you are unable to re-order the cards in your hand, so in order to gain stronger acts you have to ’Scout’ cards that have been played down by other players.

So, how do you play Scout by Oink Games?

1. The cards are shuffled and dealt to each player. The cards are dual sided so each player then decides which way up they will hold their hand. Once this is decided, players will not be allowed to reorder or turn their hand for the rest of the round.

2. The starting player will lay down a ‘show’ (either a run or set of cards.)

3. The next player will then have a choice to either lay down a higher level ‘show’ or purchase one of the cards that feature in the ‘show’ that is in play.

4. Laying a higher level ‘show’ will replace the current ‘show’ and the superseded cards become points for that player.

5. Scouting a card will give a point to the player whose ‘show’ is currently active but the scouted card may be placed either way up and anywhere in the hand of player who has ‘scouted’ the card. The active ‘show’ will now have been weakened as a result of having a card taken from it.

6. The round continues with each player having the option of ‘show’ or ‘scout’ with the game ending when either a ’show’ is so strong that no player has been able to beat it before it returns to the original player or if one player is able to play all of the cards from their hand.

7. Scores are determined by the number of points taken in the round minus the number of cards left in your hand. Highest score wins the round.

Scout has a really re-playable and thoughtful strategy mechanic and quickly becomes your go to game for a quick fun fix. Like all great card games it has very few rules so anyone can pick it up, making it suitable for families as well as being a great after dinner or coffee shop game. It has a very small box which also makes Scout compact and lightweight as a travel game.

  • 2-5 players (best with 4)
  • 15 Minute Play Time
  • Easy to Pick Up (no complex rules)
  • Age 8+
  • Great family game
  • Great travel game
  • Nominated for Best Game at Spiel des Jahres 2022

45 Cards
23 Scout Chips
30 Score Chips
5 Scout & Show Chips
Starting Player Marker
Game Manual

We ship to all UK Mainland addresses. Shipping choices and charges are calculated by weight and size and we offer the following shipping options:

Small items / large letter size

Royal Mail 48: (delivery aim 2/3 working days but not guaranteed; fully tracked): £4.50

Royal Mail 24: (delivery aim next working day but not guaranteed; fully tracked): £6.00

Medium Parcels

Royal Mail 24: (delivery aim next working day but not guaranteed; fully tracked): £8.00

Royal Mail 48: (delivery aim 2/3 working days but not guaranteed; fully tracked): £6.00

Large Parcels

Royal Mail 24: (delivery aim next working day but not guaranteed; fully tracked): £12.00

Royal Mail 48: (delivery aim 2/3 working days but not guaranteed; fully tracked): £10.00

General

Any order over £75 is free delivery and will be shipped using a Tracked 48 service.

Delivery methods are auto-calculated at checkout and are dependent on size and weight.

Orders received by 1 pm will usually be dispatched same day. Note: We do not dispatch orders on Saturdays or Sundays.

We currently ship to the following countries / territories:

USA / Canada

Australia / New Zealand / Japan / Singapore / South Korea / UAE.

Mainland Europe (EU) / Norway / Switzerland / Iceland

Duty and Taxes

All overseas orders are currently shipped DAP (delivered at place.)

This means that the customer is responsible for any import duty, local tax and any handling surcharge by the shipping company.

Note : We do not charge UK VAT on export orders.

The current UK VAT rate of 20% will be removed from the order value at checkout if the delivery address is outside of the UK.

Please note, that if you refuse to accept the goods from our nominated courier for any reason other than clear and obvious damage to the box or shipping container or product, or do not provide the correct information necessary for delivery of goods and subsequently the products are returned to us, we reserve the right to charge a discretionary restocking fee of up to £10 per item.

Cost of Shipping

The estimated time of delivery for international parcels is 5 to 10 working days throughout most destinations worldwide. Some remote destinations however can take a little longer. 

Shipping charges are calculated by weight and size as follows:

Europe

Small items (up to 0.5 kg) - Royal Mail £15

Larger items (up to 2 kgs) Royal Mail - £20

U.S. | Canada | RoW

Small items (up to 0.5 kg) - Royal Mail £15

Larger items (up to 2 kgs) Royal Mail - £25

Over 2 kgs - UPS - £40 (USA only)

Cut off for processing via courier is 1 pm Mon-Fri for international delivery. Orders received after this will not be collected until the following working day.

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introducing

Oink Games

Founded in 2010, Oink Games is a Japanese board game publisher whose philosophy is to create simple yet sophisticated games that are easy to learn and fun to play. Oink Games' games are reknowned for their minimalist design, high-quality components and innovative gameplay mechanics. They are generally lightweight and easily transportable making them great after dinner, travel and family friendly games.

Japanese Board Games

Simple Creativity

Oink have won the affections of many gamers with their unique and creative gameplay mechanics which challenge players to think in new ways. The rules are generally simple which make them accessible to all levels of gamer and shows that simplicity is often the most fun route.

Unique and Engaging

Travel & Family Friendly Games

The component pieces give a premium feel despite the small size of the box and they are built to last. Oink’s trademark minimal design is elegant, colourful and playful, allowing for visually appealing games that are easy to understand.

This simplicity also leads in to the idea of social interactivity and many of Oink Games’ mechanics involve playful communication and interaction with other players. Fun to play and socially engaging in a good old fashioned kind of way. 

Spiel de Jahres

Award Winning

Oink have won numerous awards for their games and came runner up in the prestigious Spiel des Jahres for Scout in 2022.

Our selection at USTUDIO showcases the best of Oink games, giving experiences that are both accessible and challenging and enjoyable for a wide range of players.

Go to Oink Games

Oink Games | FAQs

Oink Games' philosophy is to create simple yet sophisticated games that are easy to learn and fun to play. Oink Games' games are reknowned for their minimalist design, high-quality components and innovative gameplay mechanics.

Everyone loves Scout! Arguably the most sophisticated gameplay from Oink's offering, Scout has great replay potential and is genuinely fun for entry level and hardcore gamers alike.

USTUDIO also recommends Deep Sea Adventure and StartUps although all of our selection are fun. Just depends on the type of game you are looking for :)

Oink usually caters for quite a young age through to adult, meaning they are great family friendly games. The details will say on each game, but generally they are designed for 8 years and up.

Oink Games are designed to be simple and fast moving with playtimes from 15-30 mins per game.

Oink Games have premium quality components meaning they are designed to be kept and replayed over and over. They are great filler titles or warm up games for gaming sessions and play equally well in a coffee shop or bar. We think you will be replaying these games for years.

Our Top Board Games Recommendations

Board games have seen a huge resurgence in recent times where they have become the social antidote to an often unsocial digital age. But you don’t have to stick to the classics (yawn), and you don’t have to fall out with your friends and family (I am speaking as someone who once cried and stormed out of the room over a game of Risk).

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