Saints and Scoundrels is a pulp-themed card game of bluffs, counter-bluffs, and a psychotic doctor.
It is a casual game for 2 to 6 players. Typical gameplay is 20 to 30 minutes.
Players are private detectives on the trail of a serial killer. They’re also sabotaging each other’s investigations. One person has offered to help you – Dr. Xyko (aka Dr. Xyko the Psycho). He’s a brilliant criminal psychologist but he’s also a serial killer. He’s in jail right now so you can consult with him. But the rumor is he want to drive all of you insane.
The game is played on a board representing the gathering of evidence. Everyone starts at the beginning and tries to go as far as possible before the end of the game.
On a typical turn, the current player moves by putting down a movement card. All cards are played face down so you can lie about your card to try to go even farther.
The other players can call your bluff or can put down counter-cards. Of course, they can be bluffing, too. And the current player can call them on it.
Players can use certain cards to also see Dr. Xyko. He’ll give you a big boost on the evidence track. But you also must take two Dr. Xyko cards. But you can’t look at them until the end of the game.
At the end of the game, everyone reveals their Dr. Xyko cards. Anyone who has 3 or more Insanity icons has been driven insane by Dr. Xyko and is out of the game.
The winner is the player furthest along the track at the end of the game who hasn’t been driven insane.
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