Many games go beyond hobbies to begin to be so loved that competition arises. Many games have their own digital versions. Competitions like WSBG and websites like BoardGameArena drive new traffic constantly. But what is the definitive list? Well, join me for a top ten in this first part.
Today we’ll be counting down from 10 to 6, explaining the strategies and edge you can bring next time you play them.
10. Catan
What I would describe as a granddad of board gaming. Catan isn’t simply a dice game with randomness and no way to win. It is an engaging trading and building game. It is so loved and adored and has so many elements to its gameplay that it has an official world championship, because of that.
The strategy in this one is simple: it’s all about placing settlements in optimum locations to gain resources. Of course, because it’s dice-driven, numbers in the centre of the two dice, i.e. 4 to 9, are much more common than other numbers. It’s also about negotiating and trading with players around you. So, while you can have the best start, you can make sure that you can get the resources you might not have from other players and leverage what you must help you get what you want. The robber introduces a blocking mechanic and can help stop opponents in their tracks.
The expansions and new versions of Catan, including New Energies, introduce today’s eco-sensibilities. It caters to both new and experienced players. Don’t let its age fool you; it’s still incredibly engaging with its unique app and available on sites like Board Game Arena too. There’s plenty to enjoy.
9. Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride might seem an even more surprising game that has a competitive edge. You’re just simply placing out trains and hoping for luck of the draw from a massive deck of cards. Well, Ticket to Ride at its heart is a race to the end of the game. It’s all about optimising the route cards that you get, having routes that go in similar directions to make sure you score those big points.
There are plenty of tactics within this one that you can go for. You can make sure that you achieve the longest routes, which give you a large bump of points for your play. Or equally, you can go for some of the more difficult choke points. Which means that those short routes are in your possession and not your opponent’s.
There is the original USA title or the European title that came out in 2004. Ticket to Ride has been a mainstay in the competitive sphere. As with most competitive games, when you watch those at the highest level, they play very differently from how you might play at home with your family and friends. But that’s the beauty of these types of games. There are so many strategic options and different ways of playing.
8. Carcassonne
The French fields beckon, calling your name. Every time you place, draw or build your landscape you’ll have opportunities to score points over your opponent. The key to playing Carcassonne lies in your meeples. With only seven in hand and some locked away for the rest of the game, you must master the art of point-scoring. Places like cities and farms offer significant points, but you must know when to quickly retrieve them from roads.
Additionally, there’s the hidden stealing mechanic. You can take advantage of these vast areas they’ve created and share the points with them, ensuring they don’t gain an unfair advantage. Finally, mastering the farms is probably the most challenging aspect. They’re excellent for end-game scoring but knowing when to build them and which field will yield the largest points is all about playing the game well.
Carcassonne is one of the most popular games on the website BGA, with over 13 million plays. The game has been featured on the website since 2016, and while the complexity of this one is low and there is a little bit of luck, interaction and strategy are important factors in playing this game from the 2000s.
7. Splendor
Gemstones for Renaissance finery are now available at your jewellery shop, but fierce competition awaits. Splendour, an engine-building game with great interaction and wonderful components like casino-style gem chips, is here to gather these gems. Players can collect up to three gems per round, purchasing cards to enhance their engines and complete objectives for nobles and Splendour itself.
The goal is to race to the finish, achieving 15 points to trigger the endgame. Build a range of colours from white to blue to red to green and make good use of the wild gold tokens, which can be used for any colour. These tokens also serve as a reserve for powerful cards that can be played later. Splendour offers a fantastic game with a high ceiling of play.
Board Game Arena boasts some players with over 1000 Elo points, making it one of the most competitive and skilled games on the platform. A great game to play for various play counts, with skill required to be able to adapt to the opponents. An engine builder at its heart, you need vision and skill to be a ‘cut above’.
6. Castles of Burgundy
Castle of Burgundy, a classic dice game, is found in the castles of Burgundy. Imagine your pool of dice as worker placement tokens on your mat, accelerating your strategy to victory. So, how do you master Castle of Burgundy?
There are many options, but prioritising early science or the yellow tiles is key. Securing these early advantages shapes your strategy and provides powerful engines. Focus on completing small regions of your board in early rounds, earning victory points and bonuses. This is another excellent way to start. Finally, prioritise turn order. Using silvers to buy shares from the black market grants you the right to be first in the next round, a significant advantage in a game like Castle of Burgundy.
Yes, you need a little bit of luck on your side for Castles of Burgundy, but if you’re able to circumnavigate these that come your way, you will be able to achieve your goals and outwit your opponents. Despite the dice that come your way. Knowing which dice to choose and where to place them is all part of the strategy. A steeper learning curve than other games but a satisfying puzzle for those who push through.
Conclusion:
You can play games in person online or even on your mobile. They offer a greater depth and competition than you might realise, which is the start of our competitive ranking. These games demonstrate that a deep strategy can be found in every board game.
