# ScytheKick — Scythe board game companion

> Companion app for the Scythe board game, aiding configuration, Automa management, and scoring. (iPhone/iPad app by Timothy Cherna.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scythekick/id1190324458 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Timothy Cherna](https://appshunter.io/developer/1190324457)
- Category: Games, Utilities, Board, Strategy
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 102 App Store ratings · 80 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 175 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-01-09
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scythekick/id1190324458/reviews.md

## What is ScytheKick?

Anna, Gunter, Zehra et al. all have companions, so why shouldn't you? ScytheKick is your sidekick for Scythe, the award winning board game from Stonemaier games (http://stonemaiergames.com/games/scythe/).

ScytheKick lets you configure a Scythe game, optionally manage Automa players and then score the game, by navigating through a series of screens using the left and right facing Character Buttons along the bottom.

To start, you select the total player count as well as the Automa count, which expansions to include and if you are playing a single match or a match as part of the Rise of Fenris Campaign (requires an additional in-app purchase). You can access the app Settings sheet from the Mech Menu Button in the upper left corner.

Navigate right to select the player factions and mats. The Draw Button randomly picks the mats, and allows for random repicking, or the individual mats can be selected by swiping up and down on their images. You can also enter the player names. The free version of the app lets you have two players from the base game. Additional players can be unlocked with the Premium upgrade, and Invaders from Afar factions are unlocked with the Invaders from Afar upgrade.

After showing a summary of the players (including who goes first), you can draw (or pick) the Structure Bonus Tiles. Additional modules (Extra Bonus Tiles from the Modular Board, Resolution and Airship Tiles from the Wind Gambit and modules from the Rise of Fenris) can be unlocked via in-app purchases.

Navigate to the scoring screens to enter the points per category (popularity, stars, etc.) per player, and ScytheKick will automatically calculate the scores. The final screen is a summary of the scores for all players, which can be shared.

If playing with Automa, after selecting the modules, you navigate to the Automa screen, which has a page for each player (human and Automa). The faction tabs indicate the current player, and there is a button to advance to the next player's turn. The Automa player page lets you draw Automa turn cards and combat cards, and will automatically track the position on the Automa's star tracker, shuffle and flip from Scheme I to Scheme II as you discard cards. If playing with the Automa Helper upgrade, a map can be called up which tracks the automa unit positions (you need to update human player units) and will solve the Automa movement rules for you. On compatible devices, the map can be viewed in augmented reality. (using the AR Board Upgrade). All of the controls on the Automa screen support Undo, accessed via the Mech menu. Use the menu to navigate to Scoring at the end of the game. The free version of the app lets you have one Automa player, additional players are unlocked via the Premium upgrade.

The settings sheet includes controls to:
* Manage In-App Purchases in the ScytheKick Store
* View an online user guide.
* Adjust volume
* Disable screen locking when Automa is in use
* Choosing whether Automa are friendly to other Automa players for the Automa Helper solver. Choose if Active Airship Variant is used. Select the board size for the AR Board.
* Skip calculated scores jumps over scoring screens that are automatically calculated or not used for the Automa (like popularity, or resources and structures). Smooth Popularity Track mode awards coins not just based on the three tiers on the Popularity Track, but interpolates linearly between each level and also counts odd numbers of resources. Scores at popularity 3, 9 and 15 score as normal, but scores higher and lower increase and decrease. For example, scores between popularity of 6 and 7 are closer with the setting mode on.

ScytheKick is an unofficial companion to the board game Scythe, produced with permission of the game designer. Scythe is a trademark of Stonemaier LLC. Content and art is reproduced with permission. Special thanks to Jamey Stegmaier, Jakub Rozalski, Kai Starck, Ryan Lopez DeVinaspre, Morten Monrad Pederson, David Studley and Lines Hutter.

## Key features

- Configure Scythe game setup
- Manage Automa players
- Automatically calculate game scores
- Support for Rise of Fenris Campaign
- Unlockable factions and modules
- Augmented reality map for Automa units

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Early Adopter Upgrade | $1.99 | one-time |
| Premium Upgrade | $3.99 | one-time |
| Invaders from Afar Expansion | $0.99 | one-time |
| Automa Helper Upgrade | $2.99 | one-time |
| The Wind Gambit Expansion | $1.99 | one-time |
| AR Board Upgrade | $1.99 | one-time |
| The Rise of Fenris Expansion | $3.99 | one-time |
| Modular Board Bonus Tiles | $0.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of ScytheKick?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Makes solo play easy
- 👍 Essential for solo players
- 👍 Great for Automa movement
- 👍 Helpful for scoring
- 👍 Simplifies complex game
- 👍 Well-designed and intuitive
- 👍 Good for learning curve
- 👍 Facilitates multiple Automas
- 👍 Saves significant time
- 👍 Well-implemented features
- 👍 Good for end game calculation
- 👍 Useful for setup
- 👍 Professional look and feel
- 👍 Makes game more enjoyable
- 👍 Good companion app
- 👍 Handles complex rules
- 👍 Convenient for multiple Automas
- 👍 Good graphic chart
- 👍 Flawless calculator
- 👍 Accounts for expansions
- 👍 Easy to use

**Cons**

- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 💰 Nickelled and dimed
- 💰 Too many pay walls
- 💰 Expensive for core functionality
- 💰 Costly upgrades
- 💰 App with all features is expensive
- 💰 Micro in-app purchases irritating
- 💰 Not sure cost is warranted
- 💰 Expensive calculator
- 💰 Steep learning curve
- 💰 Interface unintuitive
- 💰 Text extremely small
- 💰 Wasted space on screen
- 💰 Tiny buttons
- 💰 Confusing to ascertain what to buy
- 💰 Lacks undo feature
- 🐛 Automa map not updating
- 🐛 Minor bugs
- 🐛 Interface looks different from manual
- 🐛 No undo button for discarded card
- 🐛 Scoring system could be better
- 🐛 In-app purchases have prerequisites
- 🐛 No help section
- 🐛 Not intuitive
- 🐛 No benefit over manual play
- 🐛 App interface very unintuitive
- 🐛 No calculator in new update
- 🐛 Scoring became more complicated
- 🐛 New update makes things confusing
- 🐛 Can't get Automa map to update
- 🐛 No real benefit over normal play
- 🐛 iPad takes up more table space
- 🐛 Scoring assistant is slower
- 🐛 No benefit to using app
- 🐛 Disappointed in overall performance
- 🐛 No real difference to manual play
- 🐛 No help section at all
- 🐛 Couldn't add second worker
- 🐛 Not worth it
- 🐛 Zu teuer

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Automa map not updating
- Interface looks different from user manual
- Counter for rounds before cards invert doesn't match sliding counter
- No purchases restored after iOS update
- One wrong tap causes workers to appear from everywhere

**Most requested features**

- Make text larger on iPad version
- Add an instruction button
- Support for Modular Board layouts with Automa
- Add an undo button for discarded cards
- Add an all-in gameplay tier in-app purchase
- High-contrast option
- Mark automa earned stars
- Track power amounts for automa
- Better indicator for which automa is being used
- Translation to Portuguese-BR
- French version
- Support for modular board
- Support for new building objectives
- Improvements to ergonomics
- Placeholder for human player during rounds
- Ability to store results from previous games
- Statistics module for player data
- General ranking of faction/player mat combos
- Save game function
- Manage upgrades for Rise of Fenris campaign
- Interactive tutorial or video
- Unlock ability to randomize for more than 2 players
- Unlock all features in one purchase
- Track combat cards used
- Keep track of multiple workers or mechs
- Mark power and combat stars
- Allow selection of more than 5 players
- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard

## Recent user reviews (10 of 80)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scythekick/id1190324458/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Perfect for solo

*2026-07-31*

Fantastic app! Allows you to very easily run multiple bots. Can’t imagine playing without it. Hoping the new Constantinople faction gets added soon.

### 1/5 — Zu teuer

*2025-12-23, version 5.0*

Man muss verschiedene Features in der App kaufen (meistens für 3.99€). Wir haben 8€ ausgegeben und die App bringt noch keinen Vorteil. Da kann man lieber kostenlos die Handkarten für den Automa nutzen.

### 1/5 — Not worth it

*2025-12-13*

I was anticipating a more intuitive app.  On my first move I couldn’t add a second worker to a village. Plus there is no help section at all.  I understand it doesn’t replace the board but it should allow for more options.  Disappointed in the overall performance.

### 1/5 — Nickelled and Dimed

*2025-09-26, version 5.0*

I really love the idea of this app. I was really excited to use the automa and AR functionality but after realizing it’s several in-app purchases I’ll stick to analog. Would have been happy to pay $10 for the app and have everything unlocked but this is ridiculous.

### 3/5 — Error scoring, please Update

*2025-05-10*

Please check & update
Final scoring error
Check please

### 1/5 — No benefit

*2025-01-20, version 5.0*

There is no real benefit to using this app over just playing the game normally. There is no real difference between drawing the automa cards on the iPad versus just picking them up from the normal deck, except that the iPad takes up significantly more space on the table.

It does have a scoring assistant, but it is slower than just scoring the game normally.

As others have pointed out, but apparently the developers have ignored, the text is extremely small on an iPad screen resulting in significant amounts of wasted space. The app interface is also very unintuitive, with tiny buttons along the edge of the screen.

I wanted to be enthusiastic, but unfortunately it’s no better than just doing things manually in the game.

### 4/5 — Great app for solo players!

*2024-10-23, version 5.0*

Very useful but a request for the devs, can you please make the text larger on the iPad version.  I’m on the 13” iPad Pro and most of the text is quite small with lots of wasted space on screen.

### 5/5 — Great! Well Worth the in App Purchases

*2024-06-01*

Made playing Automa so much easier. I played with 2 other AI and it’s so fun. Now I don’t have to wait for my friends anymore, I can just play alone

### 1/5 — Automa map not updating

*2024-05-30, version 5.0*

Cannot get the automa map to update which is the only reason i purchased the app and upgrade.  Also the interface looks different from user manual.  Im using an older iphone se, so maybe that is the issue.  Disappointing purchase though.

### 5/5 — Essential

*2024-03-14, version 5.0*

This app is essential for any one who likes to play Scythe solo as it pretty much runs the entire Automa for you. Plus, it will play multiple Automas, so no need for additional decks.

Add in its faction/mat choosing, campaign functionality, scoring system etc and it becomes even more useful.

## Frequently asked questions about ScytheKick

### What does ScytheKick do?

ScytheKick is a companion app designed to enhance the experience of playing the Scythe board game. It helps you configure game settings, manage Automa (AI) players, and automatically calculates scores at the end of a match. It supports both single games and the Rise of Fenris campaign.

### What are the key features of ScytheKick?

Key features include configuring player counts and expansions, randomly drawing or selecting player mats, managing Automa turns with card drawing and star tracker updates, and automatic scoring based on various game categories. Additional modules and factions can be unlocked.

### How much does ScytheKick cost?

The app is free to download and use for basic functionality, allowing for two players from the base game and one Automa player. Additional players, factions, and game modules can be unlocked through in-app purchases. The Rise of Fenris campaign also requires an additional in-app purchase.

### What are the compatibility requirements for ScytheKick?

The app is designed for mobile devices and supports the base Scythe game and its expansions. Some features, like the augmented reality map for Automa units, require compatible devices.

### What are common use cases for ScytheKick?

Common use cases include quickly setting up a Scythe game, playing solo with Automa opponents, ensuring accurate scoring without manual calculation, and managing complex campaign games. It also helps track Automa unit positions on the map, with AR capabilities on supported devices.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.0 — 2021-05-28

Features in 5.0
* New look for ScytheKick! A start to end flow replaces the bottom tabs. Setup the Factions, Tiles and Modules, then proceed to the (optional) Automa match and then Scoring. Navigate with swipes or the left and right 'Character' buttons.
* Faction setup now includes player names and summary screens for players and modules.
* Modules from the Rise of Fenris can now be selected outside the campaign.
* Automa now inclues page for each human player, an indicator of whose turn it is and a button to advance to the next player, making it easier to remember to update the map for human moves.
* Automa now has full UNDO support if you need to backtrack.
* Automa now supports the variant to skip cards as if playing at Autometta level
* Scoring now proceeds by one category per screen and includes a full summary at the end which can be shared, including a badge for who is the winner.
* In-app purchases now support Family Sharing.

### 4.1.1 — 2020-09-11

Fixes in 4.1.1
* Correct an issue where the AR Board Upgrade IAP was not properly detected.

Features in 4.1
* Support for the new Structure Bonus Tiles from the Scythe Modular Board, available via a new in-app purchase.
* Fix for a crash on older iOS devices when swiping up on the Automa Helper map.
* Fix animation dismissing combat card on iOS 13.

### 4.1 — 2020-03-16

Features in 4.1
* Support for the new Structure Bonus Tiles from the Scythe Modular Board, available via a new in-app purchase.
* Fix for a crash on older iOS devices when swiping up on the Automa Helper map.
* Fix animation dismissing combat card on iOS 13.

### 4.0.6 — 2019-02-01

Fixes in 4.0.6
* Fixes a bug where Invaders from Afar factions become unavailable in a campaign.

Features in 4.0.5
* Support for Episodes 7, 8a and 8b.
* Move actions and character placement now automatically remove encounter tokens, so the app doesn't show multiple encounters anymore.
* Support for marking how many mods were purchased when resolving episodes.
* Crimea / Patriotic combination is now banned as per Scythe FAQ.
* Automa Helper now shows new 'Factory' Faction option for placing encounters and controlling special units.

Features in 4.0.4
* Support for Episodes 5 and 6.
* Encounters and Albion flags are now shown on the Automa Helper. Tokens are automatically updated when units are placed in the territory with a token.
* Support new screen sizes.

Features in 4.0.3
* Support for Episodes 3 and 4.
* Fix a case where automa gains at the scheme switch were wrong.

Fixes in 4.0.2
* Support for the neoprene mat for the AR Solver.
* Fix for iPhone 6 and iPhone 5 SE not being able to tap the 'EDIT AUTOMA SETTINGS'.
* Automa popularity no longer is fixed at 10, but correctly initializes and on reset, including Episode 2A.
* New setting keeps Rise of Fenris Modules hidden by default outside of the Campaign.
* Crash starting episode 7 in some situations.
* Fix reverse of infrastructure and mech mods.

* Features in 4.0.1 *
* Brand new support for The Rise of Fenris Expansion.
* Supports a campaign mode which tracks Factions over the life of the campaign, including any changes that happen.
* Includes a new scoring summary tracking Perks and Wealth and other episode resolutions.
* Automa supports special gains from setup and mods, including automatically drawing cards.
* Automa deck supports delayed scheme switch and star tracker position offset and discarded cards.
* Saves data for single game and campaign independantly.
* Supports episodes 1 and 2 in the Automa Helper.
* Fix for using Automa in 4.0.
* Coming soon:
** new Automa tiebreaker movement.
** Support for Mods outside the campaign.
** Multiple campaigns.

### 4.0.5 — 2019-01-25

Features in 4.0.5
* Support for Episodes 7, 8a and 8b.
* Move actions and character placement now automatically remove encounter tokens, so the app doesn't show multiple encounters anymore.
* Support for marking how many mods were purchased when resolving episodes.
* Crimea / Patriotic combination is now banned as per Scythe FAQ.
* Automa Helper now shows new 'Factory' Faction option for placing encounters and controlling special units.

Features in 4.0.4
* Support for Episodes 5 and 6.
* Encounters and Albion flags are now shown on the Automa Helper. Tokens are automatically updated when units are placed in the territory with a token.
* Support new screen sizes.

Features in 4.0.3
* Support for Episodes 3 and 4.
* Fix a case where automa gains at the scheme switch were wrong.

Fixes in 4.0.2
* Support for the neoprene mat for the AR Solver.
* Fix for iPhone 6 and iPhone 5 SE not being able to tap the 'EDIT AUTOMA SETTINGS'.
* Automa popularity no longer is fixed at 10, but correctly initializes and on reset, including Episode 2A.
* New setting keeps Rise of Fenris Modules hidden by default outside of the Campaign.
* Crash starting episode 7 in some situations.
* Fix reverse of infrastructure and mech mods.

* Features in 4.0.1 *
* Brand new support for The Rise of Fenris Expansion.
* Supports a campaign mode which tracks Factions over the life of the campaign, including any changes that happen.
* Includes a new scoring summary tracking Perks and Wealth and other episode resolutions.
* Automa supports special gains from setup and mods, including automatically drawing cards.
* Automa deck supports delayed scheme switch and star tracker position offset and discarded cards.
* Saves data for single game and campaign independantly.
* Supports episodes 1 and 2 in the Automa Helper.
* Fix for using Automa in 4.0.
* Coming soon:
** new Automa tiebreaker movement.
** Support for Mods outside the campaign.
** Multiple campaigns.

## Apps similar to ScytheKick

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Raiders Solo](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/raiders-solo/id1507086590) | 3.7 (7) | $1.99 | Games |
| [Viticulture](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viticulture/id1467248737) | 3.7 (93) | $8.99 | Games |
| [Scythe Hepler](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scythe-hepler/id6464310377) | — | Free | Games |
| [Robinson Crusoe Companion App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/robinson-crusoe-companion-app/id6468989240) | 4.5 (2) | Free | Games |
| [Stonemaier Scores](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stonemaier-scores/id1644041674) | 4.3 (10) | Free | Games |
| [The Castles of Burgundy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-castles-of-burgundy/id1410742242) | 3.6 (143) | $8.99 | Games |

## More apps by Timothy Cherna

- [WingMate Companion](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wingmate-companion/id1482429144)

All apps by Timothy Cherna: https://appshunter.io/developer/1190324457

## Related topics

[scythekick](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/scythekick) · [scythe](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/scythe)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*