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  • 10 Best Strategy Board Games in 2022 (Stonemaier Games, Days of Wonder, and More) 1
  • 10 Best Strategy Board Games in 2022 (Stonemaier Games, Days of Wonder, and More) 2
  • 10 Best Strategy Board Games in 2022 (Stonemaier Games, Days of Wonder, and More) 3
  • 10 Best Strategy Board Games in 2022 (Stonemaier Games, Days of Wonder, and More) 4
  • 10 Best Strategy Board Games in 2022 (Stonemaier Games, Days of Wonder, and More) 5

10 Best Strategy Board Games in 2022 (Stonemaier Games, Days of Wonder, and More)

Some of the best games make you pause and think–like a good strategy board game. However, strategy board games come in many types and varieties. The best game for your particular group might be a multi-campaign legacy game that spans dozens of hours of play over several sessions, or it may be a quick game for two that takes half an hour and can be played over and over again. 

Keeping various situations in mind, we’ve picked our favorite strategy board games available online. Our top pick is Stonemaier Games' Scythe. It's a competitive board game combining engine-building and area control. Continue reading our list of favorites for more! And if you still feel lost, check out our buying guide. It contains various tips and tricks to help you quickly determine the right board game for you. 



Last updated 09/26/2023

Quick List - Top Strategy Board Games

1

Stonemaier Games

Scythe
Scythe

A Complex, Engine-Building Game

2

Gigamic

Quarto
Quarto

High-Quality Components in a Casual Two-Player Game

3

Catan Studio

Catan
Catan

Competitive Area Settling and Resource Management

4

Greater Than Games

Spirit Island
Spirit Island

A Cooperative Game With a Compelling Theme

5

Brotherwise Games

Unearth
Unearth

Test Out Your Luck

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Table of Contents

How to Choose Strategy Board Games

While some games might sound good on paper, it’s important to ensure that it fits what you’re looking for. So before hitting that checkout button, remember to consider these factors.
1

Consider the Theme and the Strategy of a Game

Consider the Theme and the Strategy of a Game

The theme of a strategy board game is what gets players engrossed in the game. It's basically the background story and helps players understand the relationship between the mechanics, components, and how the players should behave in the game. Some common themes include fantasy, historical settings, and science fiction. 


Another important factor to consider is the types of strategies used in the game. Some common strategies include resource management, engine building, as well as risk and reward. Keep in mind that games might incorporate more than one strategy. 


In resource management games, you'll have to gather as many items as possible. You might have to trade with other players in order to get what you need. In engine-building games, players usually start from scratch and are tasked with building up their resources.


Many board games incorporate both luck and strategy. They resemble real-life more than those that are purely tactic-based. Monopoly is one game that fits into this category. In order to win the game, you cannot rely on your luck alone but have to purchase strategic properties. 


The list of strategies used in board games is endless. If you want to know some other common strategies, click here

2

Decide Between Cooperative or Competitive Games

Decide Between Cooperative or Competitive Games
Strategy games can be pretty tense, especially if your group is pitted against each other. If you’re the kind of person who thrives off competition, feel free to look for the most brutal game possible.

On the other hand, if you don’t like conflict much or want to avoid temper flair-ups, it might be better to look for a game that involves cooperating towards a single goal or working in teams.

3

Match Complexity Level to The Desired Level of Involvement

Match Complexity Level to The Desired Level of Involvement
Some games are easily picked up with a quick read-through of the rules while others take a few play-throughs to fully grasp what’s going on. Be sure to think about the level of involvement that you’re looking for beforehand so that you don’t accidentally choose a game that’s much harder or much easier than you were hoping for.

In the product's description, you'll find the suggested ages listed. You can refer to them to see if the game is suitable for all the players. 

4

Look for a Game That's Expandable

Look for a Game That's Expandable
If you’re looking for a game for your weekly game night, it could make sense to try one that involves different campaigns that build upon each other and lasts you several play sessions. 

These games are often legacy games, which change and evolve as you play them so that the rules at the end look totally different than the rules at the beginning. However, many of these games require that the same group play every time, so if your game group changes or if someone can’t make it, you won’t be able to continue. 


Do note that many legacy games cannot be replayed once you’ve completely finished them. Also, many games with limited replayability actually offer expansion packs. These add-ons give you new characters, challenges, game areas, or an extended storyline to the existing game.

5

Keep in Mind the Number of Components

Keep in Mind the Number of Components

All the pieces used in a board game are referred to as components. Some common components include dices, boards, cards, tiles, miniatures, tokens, and so on. Usually, board games that don't have a lot of components are easy to set up, while those that come with a lot of pieces might take hours. 


You should also check the quality of the components as it matters a lot to the experience of playing a game. People will enjoy playing with a sturdy game board with beautiful art rather than a flimsy one that doesn't have any stunning graphics. 


But it's hard to know if the components look appealing or are not easily damaged when you're purchasing online. So give the review section a careful look and see what people think! 

6

Take Into Account the Game Length

Take Into Account the Game Length

It's equally important to consider the game length. If you're playing with a group of avid board-gamers, you might want to pick a game with a play time of more than one hour. This is because a long play time is likely to give people that feeling of being immersed in the game world.


On the other hand, if you're playing with young kids, opt for a shorter play time ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. Kids lose interest quickly and have short attention spans. So, you don't want a game that lasts too long since they might get fed up with it. Shorter games also allow for repeated play in case the child actually wants to keep going. 

7

Find a Game That Suits Your Group Size

Find a Game That Suits Your Group Size
A lot of strategy games work best with around four players, so if you’re hoping to play with a larger or smaller group, it’s important that you pay attention to the number of players each game requires. There are also multi-player games with a solo variant for you to enjoy all by yourself. 

If you’re planning on using the same game in different scenarios—from date night to dinner parties—be sure to look for one that can accommodate a wider range of people

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10 Best Strategy Board Games Ranking

Here are the best Strategy Board Games, ranked according to 10 Best Strategy Board Games (as of 11-04-2022). The products are ranked independently by mybest.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Stonemaier Games

Scythe

Stonemaier Games Scythe 1

A Complex, Engine-Building Game

2

Gigamic

Quarto

Gigamic Quarto 1

High-Quality Components in a Casual Two-Player Game

3

Catan Studio

Catan

Catan Studio Catan  1

Competitive Area Settling and Resource Management

4

Greater Than Games

Spirit Island

Greater Than Games Spirit Island 1

A Cooperative Game With a Compelling Theme

5

Brotherwise Games

Unearth

Brotherwise Games Unearth  1

Test Out Your Luck

6

Cephalofair Games

Gloomhaven

Cephalofair Games Gloomhaven 1

A Legacy Game for Role-Playing Game Enthusiasts

7

Plan B Games

Reef

Plan B Games Reef 1

Low-Stakes and Abstract

8

Indie Boards and Cards

Terraforming Mars

Indie Boards and Cards Terraforming Mars 1

Collaboratively Competitive With a Sci-Fi Theme

9

Thames & Kosmos

Imhotep

Thames & Kosmos  Imhotep 1

A Quick Warm-Up Game

10

Days of Wonder

Five Tribes

Days of Wonder Five Tribes 1

Easy-to-Understand for Beginners

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Stonemaier Games
Scythe

Scythe 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$55.63
High Mid
Reference price
$55.63
High Mid

A Complex, Engine-Building Game

This engine-building game is set in the 1920s of an alternate history. Each player represents a leader from one of the five factions of Eastern Europe who are striving to evolve their faction in order to gain power. 

What's exciting about this game is that each player will start with different resources and a hidden goal. There is very little luck involved in this game, and nearly all components are based on your decisions


According to some reviewers, this may not be the best game for more casual players. But the majority of buyers love the complexity of the game. They write that unlike many civilization building games, Scythe requires a more nuanced strategy that keeps the game feeling fresh no matter how many times you play it. 
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No.2

Gigamic
Quarto

Reference price
$33.38
Low Mid

High-Quality Components in a Casual Two-Player Game

This abstract strategy game has different pieces with four different qualities (height, shape, color, and whether it’s hollow) and the goal is to create a line of four pieces with the same characteristic in common. The catch: your opponent chooses your pieces.

Reviewers write that the rules of this game are simple and easy to learn, but the strategy involved still requires you to do some heavy thinking. They love the quality of the wooden board and pieces, saying they are solid and stiff. Although this game is rated for eight and up, younger children should be able to play as well. 

No.3

Catan Studio
Catan

Reference price
$43.88
Mid

Competitive Area Settling and Resource Management

This strategy board game incorporates resource management and tile placement. In this game, players play the role of settlers on the island of Catan, who have to develop their settlements through building towns and roads. 


Due to building limitations, players will have to trade resources with each other. The main aim of the game is to gather 10 victory points. while this strategy game is suitable for three to four players, there is an expansion that allows you to go up to six players.


Some buyers are disappointed with the poor quality of the components. Nonetheless, most reviewers love that the game is well-balanced and fun to play. Since it offers a lot of options to get points, players are able to get creative with strategies to give an unexpected twist to the game. 

No.4

Greater Than Games
Spirit Island

Reference price
$58.34
High Mid

A Cooperative Game With a Compelling Theme

Flipping the script on your usual strategy game, this game has you playing as a pantheon of spirits working together to prevent invaders from colonizing your island. Each character has radically different play styles, which forces players to cooperate fully.

Buyers emphasize that this game is fairly complex and might take time for all players to learn the rules. On another note, various reviewers appreciate the game’s compelling theme and lack of reliance on luck. They also praise the solid quality of the components, mentioning that the cards, boards, and pieces are all well-made. 
No.5

Brotherwise Games
Unearth

Reference price
$27.10
Low

Test Out Your Luck

This game relies heavily on rolls of the dice and is a lot more luck-based than other games. The goal is to claim ruins and wonders based on what you roll and build places of power. This game is designed for two to four people and suitable for kids ages eight and up. 

A few buyers note that the rules are a bit tough to grasp at first. But after playing a couple of times, they find it easy to play. 

Many reviewers also write that this game might seem like it’s purely luck-based, but as you get playing, you’ll start to find ways to maximize your points while minimizing others’. It’s fast-paced and the rules are fairly easy to learn. Reviewers also love the beautiful graphics. 

No.6

Cephalofair Games
Gloomhaven

Reference price
$98.99
High

A Legacy Game for Role-Playing Game Enthusiasts

This cooperative game is massive and comes with a lot of components. In essence, players act as wandering mercenaries who work together to clear out dungeons and ruins. Every decision determines how the story will progress and each of the 98 quests plays differently

For some buyers, the rules are complicated and take time to understand. Setting the game up is time-consuming as well. 

Meanwhile, most reviewers write that this is essentially a role-playing game in board game form. It’s engaging, and even though a play-through is incredibly long (over 200 hours), it never feels repetitive or tiring. Many buyers also love how well-made the components of this game.

No.7

Plan B Games
Reef

Reference price
$39.95
Mid

Low-Stakes and Abstract

If you're looking for something fun and isn't time-consuming, consider this game! It plays quickly and takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes only.

In this abstract strategy game, players compete to build 3D reef structures and gain the most points. Players work mostly independently and only compare points at the end of a round. 


Reviewers write that it’s a beautiful game and that the gameplay is simple enough for anyone to play along. Though it isn’t as high-stakes as other games and the rules are quite easy to understand, it does require you have strategy and planning skills to win.
No.8

Indie Boards and Cards
Terraforming Mars

Reference price
$64.92
High Mid

Collaboratively Competitive With a Sci-Fi Theme

This strategy game can be played solo or with up to four other people. In this game, players take on the role of corporations working together to turn Mars into a habitable planet and competing for dominance. 

It involves unique gameplay; each move involves various choices, and there are several paths to victory. Some buyers note that the physical build of the components is lacking, which could affect the longevity of the game. They further add that this game requires a little bit of time to get off the ground. 


Nonetheless, reviewers write that this game is engaging and perfectly set up for replayability. They further mention that the in-game mechanics are well-balanced and smartly designed. In fact, the graphics on the cards make everything easy to understand, especially for kids. 
No.9

Thames & Kosmos
Imhotep

Reference price
$33.57
Low Mid

A Quick Warm-Up Game

This game casts players as Egyptian architects competing to transport building materials to the right locations while thwarting the attempts of your opponents. Game mechanics allow for strategic planning while luck components add some excitement.

Reviewers write that it’s a quick play (about 30 minutes) and that it’s extremely quick to set up, too. Since the game is fairly simple to understand, it's a great choice for older kids and board game beginners. While the game is fun with three to four players, buyers mention that it works for two players as well. 
No.10

Days of Wonder
Five Tribes

Reference price
$49.11
Mid

Easy-to-Understand for Beginners

This game has you vying for control of land and resources and the love of the people. It features fairly basic gameplay that’s easy for anyone to pick up within the first couple turns of the game. This game works well for two to four players and plays quickly, taking around 40 to 80 minutes. 

A few buyers find the components to be flimsy. Nonetheless, the majority of reviewers praise that this game is well-designed and well-balanced. They further add that it can be as simple or complex as you want it to be and there are plenty of ways to earn points. The easy-to-understand rules are another great point for many. 

Top 5 Strategy Board Games

No. 1: Stonemaier GamesScythe

No. 2: GigamicQuarto

No. 3: Catan StudioCatan

No. 4: Greater Than GamesSpirit Island

No. 5: Brotherwise GamesUnearth

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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