11 Best Collectible Board Games Ranked

In the world of collectible board games, few things beat the thrill of building that perfect, unbeatable deck.
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Pokemon Trading Card Game coverMagic: The Gathering coverYu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game cover

Oh, the thrill of opening a fresh pack filled with unknown treasures! We’ve all felt that shiver of excitement, the quickened pulse, as we search for just the right card to round out our next unbeatable deck. There’s a world of collectible board games out there, and we’ve dived deep into that well of excitement to handpick The 11 best Collectible board games. Each of these gems pairs the joy of building a collection with the rush of strategy and competition. From iconic card games that have spanned decades to innovative new contenders shaking up how we play, we’ve spoken to the community and scrutinized what makes each game unique – all so we can present you with choices that not only quench the thirst for collectibility but also offer an ocean of strategic depth.

Games on this list:

11 Pokemon Trading Card Game

Pokemon Trading Card Game cover

  • Age Range: 6+
  • Players: 2
  • Play Time: 15-60 minutes

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Remember those days when we would eagerly trade our shiny Charizard for a Pikachu? Well, the Pokemon TCG takes us right back. With easy-to-grasp rules and a massive variety of cards, every time we pull out our decks, it’s an entirely new adventure. From robust community tournaments to casual play among friends, it has something for every level of enthusiast.

10 Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 2+
  • Play Time: 20+ minutes depending on the format/duel

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There’s a reason Magic: The Gathering has inspired countless other collectible card games – it’s the godfather of the genre. We love the depth of strategy and the intricate gameplay mechanics that offer endless replayability. It’s the kind of game where every session feels like a epic battle, with comebacks that make for incredible stories during game nights.

9 Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game

Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game cover

  • Age Range: 6+
  • Players: 2
  • Play Time: 30+ minutes

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Every time we lay down a card in Yu-Gi-Oh!, we can’t help but get sucked into the game’s rich lore and challenging duels. With frequent updates and an evolving metagame, it keeps us on the edge of our seats, strategizing our deck builds and looking forward to each draw.

8 KeyForge: Call of the Archons

KeyForge: Call of the Archons cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 2
  • Play Time: 15-45 minutes

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KeyForge offers something completely different – decks that are unique to every player. We find the fact that no two decks are the same not only thrilling, but also a breath of fresh air in the collectible genre, ensuring matches are always one-of-a-kind.

7 Star Realms

Star Realms cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 2-6
  • Play Time: 20 minutes

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What hooks us to Star Realms is its fascinating blend of deck-building and collectible card game mechanics. Building up a powerful fleet while devastating your opponent’s bases brings a sense of accomplishment – and the compact size means we can engage in intergalactic warfare just about anywhere!

6 Android: Netrunner

Android: Netrunner cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 2
  • Play Time: 45 minutes

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Cyberpunk comes alive in Android: Netrunner, and the asymmetrical gameplay never gets old. Whether running through the net making high-stakes hacks or fortifying as corp, these countless strategies keep our sessions filled with tension and excitement.

5 Hearthstone

Hearthstone cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 2
  • Play Time: 8-15 minutes

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Okay, this one is digital, but the way Hearthstone has evolved the collectible card game experience deserved a mention. We love how easily it translates the classic thrill of CCGs to screens, and the added element of daily quests keeps us coming back for more.

4 Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game

Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 2
  • Play Time: 45-90 minutes

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Legend of the Five Rings immerses us in a deep narrative where every choice can lead to honor or doom. It’s one of those games where politicking and strategic shifts in alliances provide as much intrigue as the combat—proof that we love a good story just as much as the gameplay.

3 Dice Masters

Dice Masters cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 2
  • Play Time: 15-60 minutes

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Amassing an army of dice that serve as your minions, in Dice Masters, adds a unique spin to the collectible genre. Rolling those dice and seeing your plans come to fruition (or not) adds an element of luck and excitement to our game sessions that’s quite addictive.

2 Force of Will

Force of Will cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 2
  • Play Time: 20-40 minutes

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Force of Will captures us with its rich artwork and relatable themes of fantasy and lore, making the collectible experience feel more intense. The continuous change in the meta-game keeps us consistently engaged, wanting to discover new combos and strategies every time we play.

1 Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Champions

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Champions cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 2
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

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Champions stands out as the best on our list by marrying traditional card gaming with modern technology using Augmented Reality. The depth of its tactical gameplay, combined with the appealing lore of the Warhammer universe, pushes it to the forefront of the collectible genre. Our strategic and mind-brewing sessions appeal to the tactician in each of us, confirming its spot as the top play for us.

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.