Sky Team Board Game

By: Scorpion Masque    Players: 2     Ages: 12+     Time: 15 mins

For those who have ever dreamed of entering the exciting world of aviation, this is their chance to experience first-hand what it’s like to take control of a plane and navigate it safely to it’s destination.

Two players working together must coordinate all the gears and mechanisms of the plane by assigning dice to its components and adjusting them accordingly to ensure it stays on task.

From Montreal to Tokyo, each airport offers its own set of challenges. Players can land at various real-world airports around the world, each presenting unique challenges. Sky Team board game provide a fun playing experience, making it enjoyable and engaging for couples and friends. Working together with your co-pilot through turbulence is critical, otherwise, you could lose the game, your pilot’s license, and possibly your life!

What Is Sky Team Cooperative Game?

Sky Team is a two-player co-operative game that puts players in the shoes of a pilot and co-pilot as they attempt to safely land a plane. It was designed by Luc Remond and published by Scorpion Masque in 2023. Originally developed during the COVID-19 lockdowns as a single-player game, the two-player mechanics were implemented later after game-testing. The game was met with significant praise and attention during its showings at gaming conventions for its originality, engaging mechanics, and successful integration of real-world flight experience into a board game. Since its release, Sky Team has won several awards, including the 2024 Spiel des Jahres.

Sky Team sees players working together to navigate a commercial airliner through several different landing scenarios. Players roll dice and allocate them to different slots on the board that represent various components of a plane that control the aircraft’s axis, speed, flaps, landing gear, and communication tools used for conversing with the control tower. These components will need to be adjusted over multiple rounds in order to safely land the plane, but if it stalls, overshoots the runway or collides with other planes, the game is over. Sky Team is an interesting game that stands out for its unique design and cooperative gameplay.

Game Set-Up 

The game is played on a ‘control panel’ board, which is placed between both players and various adjustments need to be made in order to start the game. The axis disc that represents the tilt of the plane needs to be placed upright and all switches are covering the green lights. The speed gauge, brake marker, altitude track, and approach track all need to be set accordingly. The various tokens are placed on or next to the board, and players decide which role they’d like to play: pilot or co-pilot. The pilot sits on the left and receives the blue dice while the co-pilot sits to the right and receives the orange dice. Both players also receive a screen and can then begin the game. This two-player-only game emphasizes cooperative strategies and communication, enhancing the overall enjoyment and replayability for both players.

Cooperative Gameplay

Sky Team is a cooperative game that truly shines when players work together to successfully land a plane at a chosen airport. In this engaging co-op game, players take on the roles of a pilot and co-pilot, each bringing their own unique abilities and strengths to the table. The game encourages teamwork, communication, and strategic planning, making it a fantastic option for those who enjoy cooperative gameplay.

Also Read: The Best Cooperative Board Games

As pilot and co-pilot, players must share information and collaborate to overcome various challenges. Whether it’s adjusting the plane’s tilt or managing its speed, every decision requires careful coordination. This cooperative gameplay mechanic not only makes the game more engaging but also immerses players in the experience of piloting an aircraft. Successfully landing the plane is a shared victory, making the journey as rewarding as the destination.

Landing Gear and Aircraft Management

One of the standout features of Sky Team is its detailed management of the landing gear and other aircraft components. Players must work in tandem to adjust the plane’s speed, tilt, and other critical factors to ensure a safe landing. The game presents a variety of challenges and obstacles, such as plane traffic, flaps, and landing gear, which players must navigate to successfully land the plane.

The landing gear and aircraft management mechanics add a layer of realism and complexity to the game. Players must carefully balance their actions, considering the impact of each decision on the plane’s trajectory and safety. This attention to detail makes Sky Team not only challenging but also incredibly rewarding, as players experience the thrill of overcoming real-world aviation challenges.

How To Play Sky Team Board Game

Sky Team is a player cooperative game designed for two players acting as a pilot and co-pilot, taking place over seven rounds, each containing three phases: strategy discussion and dice rolls, dice placement, and end of round.

At the top of each turn, players discuss their strategy, however, the discussion cannot revolve around dice placement itself. Rather than players suggesting “I believe your weakest dice should go here”, they should instead make suggestions like “Let’s try and level out the plane a bit more”. Once they’re clear on the plan, players then roll their dice behind their screens so the other player can’t see them. If they aren’t happy with the results, a player can use a re-roll token if they have one, which allows both players to reroll as many dice as they wish once, though the results still need to be kept a secret.

When ready, players will take turns to place one of their dice on a free space on the control panel. Spaces may have certain constraints on them, which in some ways makes dice placement easier, but in some ways much harder. Some spaces are color-coded and indicate who can place a dice in them, the pilot, co-pilot, or either. The pilot, for example, controls the landing gear and the brakes, whilst the co-pilot controls the flaps. Likewise, some spaces have number constraints, meaning only dice rolls of a certain number can be placed there. The co-pilot, for example, may only place a 1 or 2 in the first flaps.

When placing dice, certain spaces (or actions) must be taken into account every turn. There must be one die on the axis and one on the engines by the end of each turn. The axis will affect the tilt of the plane and if one dice result is higher than the other, this will cause the plane to tilt in that direction. Placing dice in the engines space each turn is also mandatory. Depending on the dice roll in relation to the aerodynamic markers, the plane will either stay put or advance along the approach track, getting closer to the destination. However, going too far can potentially result in a collision with another plane, or overshooting and missing the airport, both scenarios resulting in the game ending.

Players have big choices to make each turn in a number of ways. They’re somewhat restricted by where certain dice can be placed, but must also place them in certain slots each turn and place them in specific slots to land the plane. Aside from making sure to use dice for the axis and engines, landing gear, flaps, and breaks must all be given careful attention. In the meantime, players can use dice on the radio in order to clear air traffic and remove planes, reducing the chances of a collision. If the dice rolls are not ideal though, not all is lost. Players can spend a dice concentrating and earning a cup of coffee. They can then use this token to modify the roll of one of their dice by adding or subtracting one point to the result. Either player can use these and they stay on the board until used, so if not in the current turn, they can always be used later

After all eight dice are placed players can then talk again, discussing the results of their actions. At the end of each turn, the plane decreases in altitude by 1000 feet and gradually lowers itself towards the ground. Players take back their dice and have a further discussion about their goals for the next turn. There are a lot of factors involved with winning the game and a lot of obstacles in your way. Literally. There is a lot of micro-management involved with Sky Team but if both players are able to coordinate everything just right by the end of the final round then they win the game!

Board Game Arena

For those who prefer digital play, Sky Team is available on Board Game Arena, a popular online platform for board games. This allows players to enjoy the game with friends or other enthusiasts from around the world, making it easy to find opponents and play at any time. The online version of Sky Team includes all the features and mechanics of the physical game, ensuring that the cooperative gameplay and aircraft management elements are faithfully represented.

Playing Sky Team on Board Game Arena is a convenient way to experience the game without needing a physical copy. Whether you’re coordinating with a friend across the globe or challenging yourself against new players, the online platform offers a seamless and engaging way to enjoy this thrilling board game.

Strategy and Tips

To become a Sky Team board game winner, players must harness the power of teamwork and strategic thinking. Here are some tips to help you and your co-pilot navigate the skies successfully:

• Communicate with Your Co-Pilot: Effective communication is crucial. Share information and discuss your plans to ensure both players are on the same page.

• Manage Your Resources: Resources like coffee tokens can modify dice values and improve concentration. Use them wisely to overcome challenges.

• Adjust Your Strategy: Be flexible and ready to adapt your approach based on the obstacles you face. Each game presents new challenges, so stay alert and adjust your tactics as needed.

• Practice Makes Perfect: The more you play, the better you’ll get. Familiarize yourself with the game’s mechanics and refine your strategies through repeated play.

By following these tips, you and your co-pilot can improve your skills and increase your chances of successfully landing the plane.

Reviews and Ratings

Sky Team has garnered positive reviews from players and critics alike, earning high ratings across various platforms:

• Board Game Geek: 7.5/10

• Amazon: 4.5/5 stars

• Board Game Arena: 4.5/5 stars

“Sky Team is a great cooperative game that challenges players to work together to land a plane. The game is well-designed and includes a variety of mechanics and challenges that make it engaging and immersive.” – Board Game Geek reviewer

“I love playing Sky Team with my friends. The game is so much fun and requires teamwork and strategy to win.” – Amazon reviewer

These glowing reviews highlight the game’s appeal and the enjoyment players find in its cooperative gameplay and strategic depth. Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or new to the hobby, Sky Team board game offers a thrilling and rewarding experience.

Summary

• Great looking components

• Simple rules and set-up

• Highly strategic

• Realistic feel

• Quick play time

Final Verdict

Sky Team Board Game is a really interesting, unique, and fun game. The rules and concepts are simple to get to grips with, but it’s the luck of the dice, the ability to coordinate your moves with your partner, and the foresight to plan ahead that make this such a good strategy game. Sky Team is a player board game winner, recognized for its excellence in the category of two-player board games. All the components look amazing and it’s fairly simple to set-up and compact, and each game doesn’t take very long to play through. Having had actual pilots involved with the development of the game shows, as the board is elegant yet intricate, and the fact that there are so many elements to consider when landing really does make you feel like you’re landing a plane yourself.

Who Should Buy This Two Players Game?

We think you should buy this game if:

You enjoy two-player games: Not ever game requires a large group of people and Sky Team is one of them. You just need one extra player to get a game going. 

You want a game with high replayability: There are plenty of scenarios within the game to ensure you’ll keep coming back to it and won’t get bored. 

You enjoy cooperative play: Not every game has to be competitive and this is a great example of a game where working together is fun and crucial. 

You might not like this game if: 

You don’t like limited communication: Figuring out what to do with limited information may be more stressful than enjoyable to you.

You’re afraid of flying: If you’re not a fan of planes already, seeing things from the pilots perspective may not build on your confidence with boarding a plane. 

Frequently Asked Questions