7 Best Strategy Board Games to Play in 2026
Looking for the best strategy games? We picked our top 7 real board games that make planning and clever moves super fun.
7 Best Strategy Board Games for New Players
If you love plotting, scheming, and that sweet taste of victory, you’re in the right place. We know strategy is the name of the game, so we focused on board games that make you think but don’t melt your brain faster than cheese on toast. For this list, we picked games that are easy to learn, keep everyone involved, and offer plenty of ways to show off your clever moves. Whether you like building, trading, or outsmarting your friends, our top picks for strategy board games promise big fun and just the right challenge.
On this list:
7 Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is a classic when it comes to strategy for new players. We picked it because it looks simple, but you find yourself outsmarting friends who you thought were wholesome people until they blocked your route to Miami. There’s something magical about collecting colorful little trains while plotting, scheming, and glaring at your cousin across the table. It’s a solid entry point because you don’t need to be a genius to play, but if you want to win, you’ll need to think ahead and occasionally betray someone you love. If you’re new to strategy games, this is like training wheels for your brain.
6 Carcassonne
Carcassonne is great for people who want a strategy game that doesn’t make your head hurt, but still lets you show off your sneaky side. You build a pretty landscape while sneaking in points when no one is looking. We love the way it teaches you to plan while also forcing you to adapt, usually after your friend ruins your perfect city with a rogue piece. Matching tiles and placing meeples for points is so charming, you almost forget you’re competing. Carcassonne is still one of our favorites to introduce to new players who want some light thinking with their play.
5 Splendor
Splendor is all about gathering shiny gems and making smart choices. We picked it because the strategy is deep, but the gameplay is very breezy. You have to plan a few turns in advance to block others and grab those valuable cards. Our group loves how everyone gets quiet, plotting their moves, until someone grabs the card everyone wanted. Expect lots of ‘Aha!’ moments and a race to see who can build the best engine first. If you want to flex your strategy muscles but keep things moving quick, Splendor nails it.
4 7 Wonders
7 Wonders is a fantastic strategy game with a dash of history, which makes us all feel a bit smarter. We chose it because it has rare replayability – two games are never the same. You have to balance building up your city, trading, and sometimes waging war on your neighbors. Playing with friends, we’ve seen peaceful scientists suddenly become warmongers when things don’t go their way. The game scales well for groups and you actually feel clever when your strategies pay off. It’s a fun way to build your empire and maybe your ego, too.
3 Catan
Catan is basically the gateway drug to board game strategy. We picked it because no one ever forgets their first time trying to trade sheep for wood at 2 AM. The social strategy is just as important as the resource management, and it is responsible for more broken alliances in our group than any other game. It’s perfect for new players because it teaches you about negotiation, resource management, and what happens when you trust your best friend. If you want a classic with plenty of strategy but easy to learn rules, this is it.
2 Azul
Azul stands out for its beautiful tiles and the sneaky strategy that lives just below the surface. We picked this because every round turns into a silent contest of reading your opponent’s mind. You’ll be staring at the tiles, pretending to care about aesthetics, while secretly planning the perfect move. Friends will claim they’re just ‘playing for fun’ until they grab the tile you desperately needed. Azul teaches patience and planning with no two games ever ending the same, and it’s easy to pick up while still challenging for all levels.
1 Terraforming Mars
We picked Terraforming Mars as the best strategy board game because, honestly, it’s a masterpiece. It’s about turning Mars from a dusty rock into a green playground, and you get to feel like a mad scientist or evil billionaire. The game combines long-term planning, resource management, and tactical choices every turn. After many hours and snacks, we’ve managed to survive vicious competition and come out feeling like we actually did something big (even if Mars is mostly full of plants and regrets). The game is a strategy lover’s dream, with huge replay value and so much depth that we keep discovering new tricks every time. If you want the ultimate challenge and the true heart of strategy, Terraforming Mars is it.
