Skorch is a strategic card game where players battle to empty their hand and prison cards before their opponent. Play attack cards, deploy shields, use special abilities, and burn the discard pile with the powerful Skorch card.
The game is played with a custom 77-card deck and supports 2+ players. Matches are fast, strategic, and full of dramatic reversals.
Skorch uses a custom deck of 77 cards total:
Attack cards come in values 1 through 10, with 6 copies of each value:
- Shuffle the entire 77-card deck.
- Deal each player 10 prison cards — 5 in the front row and 5 in the back row. Cards alternate face-up and face-down.
- Deal each player 5 hand cards.
- Flip the top card of the draw pile to start the discard pile.
- The remaining cards form the draw pile.
On your turn, you must do the following:
- Play a card from your hand that is equal to or higher than the current discard pile value.
- Draw one card from the draw pile (if cards remain).
- If you cannot play a valid card, you must pick up the entire discard pile and add it to your hand.
Stacking: You can play multiple cards of the same value at once. For example, playing three 7s counts as a single play.
There are two main categories of cards in Skorch:
- Attack Cards (1-10): Standard numbered cards. Play them when their value is equal to or greater than the discard pile's current value. Higher numbers are more powerful but harder to beat.
- Special Cards: Elude, Shield, Demoter, Skorch, and Undead. Each has a unique ability that can change the flow of the game. See below for full details.
Special cards are game-changers. Use them wisely to gain the upper hand.
Skorch
Burns the entire discard pile — all cards are removed from the game permanently. Say "Skorch!" when you play it. Can be played on any value.
Shield
Skips your opponent's turn (in 2-player). The discard pile value stays the same — the shield just blocks.
Demoter
Resets the discard pile value to 0. The next player can play any card. Great for clearing high stacks.
Elude
Mirrors the current discard pile value. If the pile is empty, Elude has a value of 1. A versatile play at any time.
Undead
Trade one of your unlocked prison cards with an opponent's prison card. The only card of its kind — use it wisely.
Each player starts with 10 prison cards arranged in two rows of 5. You can only play from your prison once your hand is completely empty.
- Front row cards alternate between face-up and face-down.
- You must play from the front row first.
- Back row cards are locked — they unlock when the front card above them is removed.
- Face-down cards are revealed when you play them. If the card can't beat the discard pile, you must pick up the pile.
The first player to get rid of all their cards — both hand cards and all 10 prison cards — wins the game.