13 Best Negotiation Board Games of 2024
13 Best Negotiation Board Games for New Players
Negotiation in board games can be a fine art. We’ve played our share of games with friends, and our top picks shine in areas like player interaction, strategic depth, and pure fun. Each game on our list brings out different facets of negotiation, ensuring there’s something for everyone—whether you’re a seasoned strategist or new to the gaming table. We focused on games that mix negotiation with other thrilling elements, keeping you engaged and on your toes. Get ready to sharpen your bargaining skills and build alliances in these fantastic experiences!
On this list:
13 Catan
Catan’s trade and barter system make it a classic in negotiation games. We’ve spent countless evenings trying to swindle our friends out of sheep and wheat. Its simple mechanics but deep strategy appeal to both newbies and veterans.
12 Chinatown
If you love negotiation in its purest form, Chinatown delivers. We’ve had heated discussions about property swaps and deal-making. The game is all about making the best deals to expand your business empire.
11 Cosmic Encounter
Cosmic Encounter’s ever-changing rules and alien powers make every game unique. The negotiations and alliances are both hilarious and strategic. We love backstabbing our friends one moment and teaming up the next.
10 Sheriff of Nottingham
In Sheriff of Nottingham, everyone tries to bluff and barter their way to riches. The game is perfect for those who enjoy lying to their friends for fun. It’s a blast trying to sneak contraband past the sheriff.
9 The Resistance
This game is the ultimate test of trust and betrayal. We spend more time accusing each other of being spies than actually completing missions. If you enjoy mind games and negotiation, this is your game.
8 Diplomacy
Diplomacy is a classic. Long before the internet, this game baffled strategists. We spend hours making alliances only to break them. It’s a true test of negotiation skills and patience.
7 Saboteur
Saboteur is a short but sweet game of hidden roles and negotiation. Who knew mining could be so full of deceit? We love figuring out who’s out to ruin the tunnel!
6 Bohnanza
Ever wanted to negotiate over beans? Bohnanza makes trading legumes surprisingly fun. We’ve spent many games haggling over bean fields and trying to make the best trades.
5 Lords of Waterdeep
This worker placement game adds a layer of negotiation as you vie for control of the city. We enjoy the blend of strategy and deal-making. It’s like Dungeons & Dragons, but with more spreadsheets.
4 Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game
The post-apocalyptic setting and hidden objectives make this game shine for negotiation. We never know who to trust, which leads to some intense and fun gameplay.
3 Chimera Station
Chimera Station mixes worker placement with negotiation as you build and upgrade your workforce. We love the evolving strategy and the hilarious results of our negotiations.
2 Intrigue
Intrigue is brutal when it comes to negotiation. It’s all about making promises and breaking them. We’ve laughed and cried over the schemes and betrayals that unfold.
1 Twilight Imperium
This game is the granddaddy of negotiation games. It offers a blend of strategy, diplomacy, and epic space battles. We see it as the ultimate test of our negotiation and strategic thinking skills. The game is long but worth it for the depth and complexity.
