Scythe: The Rise of Fenris Expansion Setup Guide
By Stonemaier Games US & International Store | Published: 2026-10-18
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to set up Scythe: The Rise of Fenris expansion for a campaign or standalone game, with step-by-step instructions and common setup mistakes to avoid.
Quick answer
Set up Scythe: The Rise of Fenris by following the campaign booklet for a narrative playthrough, or use the standalone variant for a one-off game. The key is to separate the sealed envelopes and modules only when instructed.
Campaign vs. standalone setup
The Rise of Fenris offers two distinct ways to play. The campaign mode unfolds over eight episodes, with new rules and components introduced gradually. The standalone variant lets you jump straight into a single game with selected modules, which is great for players who want to test the expansion without committing to a full campaign.
Before you start, decide which mode fits your group. Campaign setup requires more table space and time to read the story text, while standalone setup is faster but requires you to choose which modules to include. The box includes a setup guide for both options, so keep it handy.
What you need from the base game
The Rise of Fenris is an expansion, so you'll need the Scythe base game to play. You'll use the main board, faction boards, player mats, combat cards, and other core components. The expansion adds new encounter cards, objective cards, and unique tokens that integrate with the base setup.
Check that you have all the base components before starting. Missing pieces can derail a session, especially during campaign episodes that reference specific cards or tokens.
Step-by-step setup for The Rise of Fenris
- Prepare the base game: Set up the Scythe base game as you normally would: place the board, distribute faction boards and player mats, and shuffle the base decks (combat, encounter, objective, and factory cards). Double-check that all base decks are shuffled and the board is correctly oriented.
- Open the expansion box and sort components: Open the expansion box and sort the new tokens, cards, and boards. Keep the sealed envelopes and modules separate, as you'll open them only when the campaign booklet instructs you to. Do not open sealed envelopes ahead of time—it spoils surprises and can confuse setup.
- Choose your game mode: Decide between campaign or standalone mode. For campaign, read the campaign booklet and follow the setup for Episode 1. For standalone, select the modules you want to use and follow the standalone setup section in the rulebook. If you're new, start with the standalone mode to learn the modules before committing to a campaign.
- Add expansion components to the game: Place the new boards, tokens, and cards on the table as indicated in the setup instructions. Some components replace base game items (like certain encounter cards), while others are added to the existing decks. Read each component's description to see if it replaces or adds to the base game—mixing them up can break the rules.
- Review the rules for new mechanics: Before starting, skim the rulebook for any new mechanics introduced in your chosen mode. For campaign, the booklet explains rules as you progress, so you don't need to read everything upfront. Keep the rulebook nearby for quick reference during your first session.
Expansion components
- Scythe: The Rise of Fenris: Scythe: The Rise of Fenris is the conclusion to the Scythe expansion trilogy and enables two different options for any player count. This means you can play the campaign or standalone mode with any number of players, making it flexible for different group sizes.
Scythe: The Rise of Fenris
