An exciting word game where players take turns coming up with terms that meet the given category and allotted letter, Scattergories is a great way to stimulate creative thinking. The game’s goal is to answer as many words as possible in the allocated time and do it creatively. In the end, whoever has the most points after all three rounds is the victor. If you plan to host a game night, Scattergories is an ideal game to add to your list of games. Here is a guide on the gameplay of Scattergories.
What You Need to Play Scattergories
Before we dive into the gameplay of Scattergories, there are several things you should prepare when setting up the game. These include:
- 48 Category Cards
- Folders
- Pencils
- Answer Pad
- Clip Strips
- Timer
- 20-Sided Letter Die
- Die Rolling Board
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Setting Up the Game
Distribute the Scattergories folders to the players before the game begins. Folders have lists of categories numbered 1 through 16. Place these checklists beneath the Scattergories folder’s left clip. Then, decide collectively which of these categories you want to play. Once you’ve decided, drag the chosen file to the top of the pile beneath the Scattergories folder’s left clip.
Then, ensure each player has an answering pad tucked inside the right side of their Scattergories folder. You should swap the list and the response pad places if the player is left-handed. Distribute writing tools to the players. Ready the timer and the letter-containing die with twenty sides, and you’re ready to play the game!
The Objectives of Scattergories
The game’s goal is to use the selected letter as the starting point for as many words as possible in the category list. Write down as many words as possible since you will only win a point if no other player has listed the same idea. Most points determine the winner from correct and original answers.
Gameplay of Scattergories
- There are often three rounds in a game. Pick a number from the list to play first. There are a total of 12 categories in both lists.
- Use the 20-sided dice to find the letter. If one letter is picked, all the responses must start with that letter.
- Activate the timer by pressing the button.
- Once the clock starts, everyone should work as quickly as possible to complete as many of the questions as possible. For that matter, if the topic is fruits and the letter is “M,” then “mango” and “melon” are both acceptable responses. “Cherry” and “banana” are not, of course.
- Players must stop working (and either raise their hands or put down their pencils) once the timer goes off.
- Each participant will take turns dictating their replies for each question or topic. If more than one person guesses the same thing, the word is checked off the list, and no points are awarded. Only unique, generally-accepted words are given credit.
- The procedure should be repeated twice more for a total of three rounds. The winner is the player who has amassed the most points.
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Scoring and Tallying Points
As soon as a round concludes, players begin reading their words aloud. Words from the same category that appears in other players’ answers are crossed out. These repetitions receive no points.
The word is circled, and the player receives one point if their response is the only correct and unique one. The total amount of points should be recorded in the header of the sheet containing your answers.
Rules When Playing Scattergories
Players might sometimes go too far with their imagination when playing Scattergories, which encourages such activity. It’s unclear if any given response is valid under these circumstances. When in doubt about whether a certain word or phrase is appropriate, please refer to the rules listed below.
- All correct responses must start with the letter selected by the dice.
- Using “a,” “an,” and “the” with the selected letter does not count. The Last of Us, for instance, would not fit under “T” but would be fine under “L” if the category is games or series.
- Each round should only accept a single response for each category.
- Bonus points can be earned by using alliteration or reusing the same letter at the beginning of many words. Peppa Pig, for example, is worth two points, whereas Tic Tac Toe is worth three.
- In answering questions involving proper names, either the first or last name may be used. For instance, if the category is animated characters, both Jimmy Neutron and Nemo are correct answers.
- Using the plural form of a word has the same meaning as using the singular form.
- The answer “Rose” cannot be used for both “Types of Flower” and “A Girl’s Name” as this would be considered a repetition.
Playing Online Scattergories
If you’re separated from your friends and loved ones because of distance, travel, job, or any other reason, you may still share in the delight of playing Scattergories with them. Those who suffer from isolation and boredom might find relief by visiting free Scattergories online sites like “ScattergoriesOnline.” Each game will be divided into one of five categories, each represented by a different letter. Test yourself to see how many words you can answer within 60 seconds. Playing the game online requires joining other players on a video conference and sharing your screen with a program like Zoom or Discord.
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Perks of Playing Scattergories Online
- Various Scattergories online sites provide both private and public rooms to play in with friends or complete strangers.
- Without any input from the players, the computer keeps the score after each round.
- There is always a way to check how much time is remaining.
- A chat window allows you to communicate with other players.
Other Versions of Scattergories
- A “refill” pack for Scattergories was released by Milton Bradley in 1989. There are 18 cards totaling 144 new categories and six more answer sheets.
- Scattergories The Card Game was released in 2008 by Winning Moves Games USA. This Scattergories variant can be quickly played and can be taken anywhere. There are two “I Know” cards, a deck of category cards, and a deck of letter cards in this game.
- “Scattergories Categories,” produced by Winning Moves Games USA in 2010, is a twist on the original game. Players in Scattergories Categories race to discover unique answers beginning with each letter in the category keyword, which is connected to the category in some manner, rather than searching for solutions that all start with the same letter.
- Scattergories: 30th Anniversary Version, produced in 2019 by Winning Moves Games USA, is a replica of the first edition from 1989, down to the mechanical timer with three distinct time settings, six folders, six answer pads, and one giant die with several sides.
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Once you’re familiar with the basics, Scattergories is a breeze to play. Playing Scattergories is not only a great way to bond with your friends and loved ones, but it’s also a great mental workout because you have to come up with answers you’re sure no one will think of that same word. Players are pushed to use their critical thinking skills by considering alternatives to their first guesses and coming up with more creative answers.