7 Best Strategy Board Games of 2024 for Gamers

Looking for the best strategy board games? Check out our list of top picks that will challenge your brain!
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Catan coverTicket to Ride cover7 Wonders cover

The 7 Best Strategy Board Games for a Fun and Challenging Night

On this list:

7 Catan

Catan cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 3-4
  • Play Time: 60-120 minutes

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Catan is a classic and timeless strategy game. We’ve had countless game nights dominated by fierce trades and friendly betrayals. Perfect for new players, it introduces strategic planning, resource management, and negotiation. It’s drawn us back time and again, always offering a fresh experience thanks to its modular board and dynamic gameplay.

6 Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 30-60 minutes

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Ticket to Ride is a gateway into the world of strategy board games. The aim is to build the longest railroad routes, and trust us, it gets competitive. We love the simplicity mixed with depth, making it an excellent choice for families and new strategy enthusiasts alike.

5 7 Wonders

7 Wonders cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 3-7
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

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7 Wonders is a hit at our game nights. The drafting mechanics and ancient civilization theme are engaging. It’s strategic but plays quickly enough to fit into any game session. Players need to balance resource management, trade, and wonder building. It’s a great mix of strategy and fast-paced fun.

4 Carcassonne

Carcassonne cover

  • Age Range: 7+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 35 minutes

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Carcassonne offers a simple yet deep tile-laying experience. We spend hours placing tiles and strategizing to connect cities, roads, and fields to score points. It’s great for those new to strategy, as its rules are easy to grasp but involve plenty of strategic depth.

3 Pandemic

Pandemic cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 45 minutes

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Pandemic is perfect for a cooperative strategy game. We’ve saved the world (or failed miserably) many times. Each player has a unique role, and it’s all about working together to beat the game. The tension and excitement make every session memorable.

2 Dominion

Dominion cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

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Dominion is the go-to deck-building game for us. It’s easy to pick up but offers endless replayability with different card combinations. We love crafting our decks and finding new strategies. It’s a fantastic blend of simplicity and deep strategy.

1 Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 120 minutes

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Terraforming Mars is the best of the best strategy board games. We love the complexity and depth it offers. Each player is a corporation working to make Mars habitable, with various strategies to follow. Every game feels unique, thanks to the hundreds of different cards and paths to victory. It’s a meaty, satisfying experience that never disappoints.

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.