Welcome to the second part of my top ten countdown of the best competitive games. In the previous blog, we covered some fantastic games, but now we’re into the top five games for competitive play…
5. Wingspan
What might seem like a cosy living room game is a deep and strategic engine-building game. With a dedicated phone app, Xbox and PlayStation editions, not to mention a version on Steam and BGA – there are lots of ways to play this online. With the expanse of expansions, there really are lots of ways to play Wingspan.
Wingspan is all about having powerful brown ability birds – ones you can fire up each time you activate a row. But also, don’t forget the pink powers, which become even more important the higher the player count. Added to this are the bonus goals, which are hidden from your opponents, plus fighting for the end-of-round goals too.
As you build your engine, you must decide which row will give you the most points. From laying eggs, which is a more classical strategy. To tucking birds in the Wetlands, knowing the path to victory is an ever-changing environment! As the game progresses, those end-of-round goals score more and more points, not to mention spending Nectar in the Oceania and Asia expansions adds a new element to playing.
4. Azul
The abstract tiling-laying competitive game has some of the most talented and proficient players of this popular game. One of the few games on BoardGameArena that has multiple individuals with over 1,000 Elo points, the ceiling for Azul is incredibly high. If you watch replays, you will notice players are much more defensive and scores quite low often in the 40s and 50s. This is also marked by the fact that the games usually last five rounds, with players prioritising the top row constantly.
One tip to note is being willing to steal or take your opponent’s tiles to block them and slow them down. You can play Azul nicely, of course, but to be the best, a little heartlessness is needed. Taking the first player’s tile is also a bonus, especially as the game reaches its ending rounds of four and five. Finally, being willing to take minuses early isn’t too costly in the name of gaining an advantage later.
The original Azul still prevails as the ultimate space for players to show their skills. Two-player games are the closest and most popular contests. But find yourself at a completion, you might be facing two or three opponents. Knowing the differences in these player counts is key to becoming a tile-laying champion.
3. Terraforming Mars
With 200 cards and multiple and intriguing expansions, you win by aligning with your factions’ ideals. A true sandbox experience, build your income as you gather resources for future points. Those MegaCredits and metals are worth more than points early on. Trust me…
As with many competitive Euro games, there is an element of racing in TM. With various milestones to achieve for a boost of 5 points. You want to be claiming these early and at least by the middle of the game. This will give you a good gauge of “how well” your game is going. Most of these milestones are the cheapest way to convert money into victory points. Also, many cards pay themselves back in 3 to 4 generations. So if you are closing in on the end game around Gen 7-9, switch to pure points.
Placing your tiles out from greenery to oceans to cities gives extra income; look for places where you can get 4 or even 6 MC. Science is another key factor to go early on and is an important tag to start blocking from opponents. Thus, stopping them from becoming unstoppable. May the power of Mars be in your hands.
2. 7 Wonders Duel
The ultimate 3-way fight to victory. Choose wisely your Wonders, prioritise those with additional turn actions as these can be chained into multiple Wonders. The Temple of Artemis, Great Library, and Appian Way are some of the best in the base game. Make sure you build all four (three if beaten) Wonders before Age II ends as the final Age cards are too strong to store under a Wonder.
During Age I, try to go for the resources that cost no gold as these are better value long term. As the game progresses, money is more available; don’t be scared to pay for resources you do not have. Also, note that about halfway through Age II, you should have all the resources you need; start focusing on points or Science and military. At the start of the game, try to get a few cards in all categories. As the game progresses, rush towards a goal to force your opponent to retaliate. If you’re being squeezed, then try and end the game another way or outwit them with points.
Science is the hardest win condition unless the Law token is available from the beginning (or via the Great Library). Military victory can be achieved late Age II/Age III, so do not let your rival gain every shield – you need defence. Finally, victory points come from a good spread and of course, Wonders.
1. Ark Nova
8 million plays. A dedicated fan base playing the game monthly. Ark Nova is worth the hype. With so many choices and upgrades to decide upon – even the animals make a difference. One thing many new players forget is the power of supporting the base conservation projects at lower values. Yes, it is tempting to go for five Australia tags, but why not just go for two tags instead? Making this decision between big points and tempo (keeping the speed of the game up) is key.
Another factor is not getting distracted by some of the good animals, namely the two eagles, rhinos, and even the elephants. These animals have amazing benefits when played but must be timed well to gain their benefits. Also, sponsors are much more powerful than people think. One of the most common competitive upgrades is sponsors because you can play some high-value cards plus gain money for a break – a double bonus!
Make sure to prioritise competitive upgrades, but remember you can still win the game even with only two. Animals is an obvious choice because it allows for playing from the display plus the ability to play those big-point bombs. I also think Universities are stronger in most games where you do not need a partner zoo for an animal or base conservation project.
Conclusion
So, a massive top 5 of all games which are excellent even for the most casual of players. But for those striving for more, check out the various apps and online versions. Maybe you’ll become the next Azul master… Good luck!
