Duel of Meloch
Scythe and Expeditions share a ten-location battlefield. Race to four stars before your rival claims the same goals.
Duel of Meloch is Jamey Stegmaier’s 2026 standalone game in the Scythe/Expeditions world. In its main two-player format, one person runs a Scythe faction and player mat; the other operates an Expeditions mech, character and companion. Their systems meet on a double-sided rubber map with ten locations and two lakes. Each Triumph Track category can hold one star, so a goal secured by one side is unavailable to the other. The fourth star ends the game immediately; there is no ordinary Scythe or Expeditions final-score calculation.
Do you need Scythe or Expeditions? No. This box supplies components and Duel-specific summary guides for both sides. You do have two substantial systems to learn, however: the Duel rulebook says the underlying Scythe and Expeditions rules still apply except where it changes them, and directs readers to the full parent rulebooks or videos online. Ownership adds variety, not a requirement for the basic game.
The central decision
Both players may pursue different printed requirements on the same Triumph Track category, but only the first star there counts. A Scythe engine improvement may eventually enable several achievements; an Expeditions card sequence may earn the next Boast. Watch the opponent’s nearly complete categories before choosing a long-term plan. When they place a star, you gain a Meloch-card benefit, which can alter your next turn.
What is in the box?
The Scythe side includes a new faction and player mat, miniatures, resource and wooden tokens, three Factory cards, six encounter cards and a new 60-card combat deck. The Expeditions side includes a new mech, character and companion, 30 discovery cards, workers, corruption and tracking components. Shared pieces include the map, double-sided Triumph Track, map tokens, coins and Meloch cards. Separate Automa cards, phase cards, overlays and aids support one-player games.
The rulebook also includes optional Scythe-versus-Scythe and Expeditions-versus-Expeditions duel variants, but those require extra components from the respective parent games. The new map belongs to the duel format; it is not a replacement board for ordinary Scythe or Expeditions. See the component-by-component compatibility guide.
How the duel works
Scythe selects player-mat sections; Expeditions develops cards and moves a mech. Each side follows its own summary and the shared Duel rules.
Map tokens are encounters for the Scythe character and exploration bonuses for the Expeditions mech. Players use different printed map features.
Scythe claims a qualifying empty category immediately; Expeditions normally needs a Boast benefit, except after winning combat.
Movement, location control, combat cards and rewards for the trailing player make the fourth-star race more immediate than parent-game scoring.
Who should consider Duel of Meloch?
It suits a pair who enjoy the Scythe world but want a smaller battlefield and an explicit race to four shared goals. The roughly 45-minute publisher estimate is for the game, not a promise for first-time learners. The official store rates its weight as heavy and recommends ages 14+, which is consistent with learning two different action systems and their Duel exceptions. If just one person knows one parent game, that player can take its corresponding side while the other learns the second system from the included summary and the publisher’s full rules.
It is also a meaningful purchase question for owners of either parent: you can use several of the new components in your existing box. The original titles are not needed to play the standard Duel. If you specifically want two Scythe factions to fight each other or two Expeditions mechs, those variants are different: bring additional parent-game components.
Can you play alone?
Yes. The package lists a dedicated Automa deck, phase cards, progress track and player aids. The separate solo rulebook lets you play either human side against an automated opponent and offers five difficulty levels. The original Scythe and Expeditions solo rulebooks are not used for this duel; follow the Duel of Meloch Automa guide and its own official rules.
Start with the guide you need
- Setup, turn differences, combat and the fourth-star win for the table.
- Strategic priorities on each side for timing star races and spending combat cards.
- Standalone game versus expansion content for a purchase decision.
- Solo Automa setup and turn procedure for one player.
Already learning the parent game? See our Scythe hub and Scythe expansion overview.
Publisher sources and scope
- Stonemaier Games: official product, players and component list
- Stonemaier 2026 multiplayer rulebook (publisher-authored PDF hosted by a retailer)
- Stonemaier Automa rulebook (publisher-authored PDF hosted by a retailer)
- Stonemaier rules and FAQ
Facts checked October 4, 2026. Tactical interpretation is editorial; this guide does not claim firsthand testing, a guaranteed best side or live stock availability.