Best 14 Strategy Board Games to Try in 2025
Ready to test your brain? We picked the best strategy board games for new players who want smart, sneaky fun.
The 14 Best Strategy Board Games for New Players – Picked and Played by Us!
If you’ve ever flipped a table over Monopoly, good news—there are much better strategy board games out there. We picked our favorites by focusing on games with clever decision-making, replay value, and rules that don’t make your brain explode. We also made sure every game on the list has real strategy, not just lucky dice rolls or who can shout loudest. After way too many late nights arguing with friends, we’ve found the games that keep you coming back for more, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned mastermind.
On this list:
14 Carcassonne
We chose Carcassonne because it’s the perfect intro to strategy games. You build a map together, bossing people around with your meeples. It’s easy to teach, so even our friend Pete, who once tried to eat a tile, managed just fine. It’s got enough depth to keep things interesting but never feels like chess with homework. Every game is different because the map changes every time. One minute you’re building a massive city, the next you’re blocking your friend with a sneaky road. It’s fun, competitive, and never drags. We’ve played so many rounds that we started saying ‘meeple’ in daily life. That’s when you know it’s a classic for strategy fans.
13 Splendor
Splendor landed on our list because it’s the gateway to the world of strategy. You play as a gem-collecting merchant, and we still argue over who is the flashiest. Splendor is quick to set up, even quicker to teach, but every turn means careful planning. There’s lots of sneaky moves, stealing the card your friend wanted and acting like it’s a total accident. The game ramps up fast and gives you that sweet feeling of building something big. Plus, the chips are strangely satisfying to clack together, making you feel rich for a moment.
12 Ticket to Ride
We always reach for Ticket to Ride when introducing people to strategy games. You collect cards, claim train routes, and plot how to block your sibling’s path (with zero guilt). It’s full of suspense, especially when someone grabs your route at the last second. We have had games where the table nearly flipped because of one sneaky move. The rules are straightforward, but the fun comes from balancing risk and timing. It’s a favorite for new and seasoned board gamers, and strategy is everywhere—do you go big and risky or play it safe?
11 Azul
Azul makes this list because it hides some tricky strategy behind pretty tiles. You build a mosaic wall and fight over the prettiest pieces. The first half of the game feels chill, but by the end, everybody’s sweating, thinking two moves ahead. It’s about picking the right tiles and making sure your friends don’t get their favorites. We’ve seen a lot of fake smiles and real grudges in this one. The tactile pieces and simple rules keep newbies coming back, and even after lots of plays, it’s still a challenge to master the strategy.
10 Catan
Catan is a legend of strategy gaming, and we keep returning to it, even when it ruins family peace. Trading, building, and blocking roads turn friends into sneaky rivals. Strategy is everywhere, especially when you trade sheep like a Wall Street tycoon. Luck can swing things, but clever moves and reading your opponents win games. We’ve seen players go from noobs to pros within a few games. Catan is easy to learn and has endless replay value. Plus, those wooden pieces are fun to play with during other people’s turns.
9 7 Wonders
7 Wonders sneaks onto our list as it’s a card-drafting feast for strategy lovers. You build a civilization from a handful of cards, and every choice matters. We love having to plan ahead and watching friends panic when their plans fall apart. You get that sweet feeling of accomplishment when your strategy pays off. It’s fast, easy to teach, and there’s never downtime. The various ways to win keep everyone guessing. Plus, it’s one of the few games where you can play with seven people without chaos!
8 Pandemic
Pandemic made the cut since it’s the only board game where losing together brings us closer (or makes us not talk for an hour). It’s teamwork and strategy against the board. Planning, discussing, and disagreeing on every decision makes this game intense. The randomness keeps us on our toes, so there’s never a dull moment. Pandemic is a great way to learn about strategy without stabbing each other in the back—unless someone keeps moving the wrong pawn. We still haven’t forgiven Jack for that move in 2022.
7 Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars stands out because of its deep strategy and epic scope. You compete to turn Mars into a livable place, which seems easier than getting everyone to agree on pizza toppings. We keep coming back for the endless card combos and sneaky moves. The game has a learning curve, but once you get it, every playthrough feels exciting. You have to balance managing resources, playing cards, and blocking other players. There’s a reason people call it the king of modern strategy games.
6 Root
Root is all about asymmetric strategy, which is a fancy way of saying everyone plays by different rules. You pick a woodland faction and then scheme, plot, and sometimes beg for mercy. The mix of cute art and brutal strategy keeps us coming back. No matter your style, there’s a faction for you. The learning curve is real, but the payoff is worth it. We’ve spent many games trying to convince each other not to attack, and every match feels different. Don’t let the adorable raccoons fool you. Strategy is at the core of every decision.
5 Wingspan
Wingspan is for anyone who likes birds and a lot of strategy on their plate. You build a bird engine, collect eggs, and slowly realize your best friend is secretly a bird genius. It takes a few turns to get the hang of things, but the strategy is deep and every game has new cards to explore. We love the peaceful theme, even as we try to outscore each other. The art is gorgeous, and you might even learn a bird fact or two. Wingspan is one of those sneaky games that you keep thinking about hours later.
4 Agricola
Agricola earns its spot for the epic farm-building strategy. You juggle feeding your family, plowing fields, and yelling at sheep to stay put. Every decision feels important and there is never enough time to do everything. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, and once someone actually threw a wooden carrot. Strategy and planning are everywhere, and every game feels different. Just don’t let your friends starve, or you’ll never hear the end of it. It’s a rewarding challenge for anyone who likes to plan five moves ahead.
3 Scythe
Scythe is a heavy hitter with buckets of strategy. You manage resources, build mechs, and try to look cool while doing it. The game combines war, farming, and area control, so your brain is never bored. Every decision matters and it feels amazing when your plans actually work. We’ve won games with sneaky moves and lost them because we got too greedy. The art and miniatures are stunning, which makes losing a little less painful. If you want a strategy game that makes you feel clever (and a bit exhausted), Scythe is it.
2 Twilight Struggle
Twilight Struggle earns a place as a two-player, Cold War, strategy tug-of-war. This is the best way to ruin friendships with politics and dice. We love the tense bluffing, deep planning, and classic ‘I can’t believe you did that’ moments. Each card can change the game, and every play feels different. Both players are always sweating over their next move. It’s great for history fans and anyone who loves deep strategy. This game keeps us coming back for revenge matches again and again.
1 Gloomhaven
We picked Gloomhaven as our best strategy board game because it takes everything we love about planning and teamwork to a whole new level. The campaign is massive, and each session feels unique because your choices matter. You get to build a character, make tough decisions, and work together (or apart) to win each scenario. The combat is all about timing and the right plays at the right moment—strategy is baked into every card you play. We spent months playing it and never got bored. Gloomhaven is a strategy masterpiece that rewards clever thinking, teamwork, and maybe a little arguing over who opens the next door.
