11 Best Worker Placement Board Games for 2024
Hey, fellow gamers! Hunting for the ultimate worker placement board games? You’ve hit the jackpot! When we dive into the ocean of board games, we’re not just looking for any old fish. We seek the most colorful, lively, and fun games in the sea. Our criteria? Games that blend strategy, theme, and that ‘one more turn’ addiction. No snooze-fests allowed! We’ve scoured the depths and surfaced with a treasure chest of gems that promise to turn your game nights into legendary adventures. From ancient civilizations to fantasy realms, prepare to place your workers in the most thrilling spots ever!
On this list:
11 Stone Age
We kicked off our worker placement adventure with Stone Age, and oh boy, did we huddle around the fire for this one! It’s all about building your own little civilization in, well, the Stone Age. The game is brilliant for newbies. You place workers to gather resources, which you later use to build stuff and score points. It’s simple, engaging, and has dice! Who doesn’t love dice?
10 Lords of Waterdeep
Next up, Lords of Waterdeep, where we traded our stone tools for a bit of intrigue in the city. This game turns everyone into the masters behind the sprawling city, assigning quests and building structures. The theme is rich, and despite the backstabbing, it’s a lot of fun. Lords of Waterdeep is a fantastic bridge into the worker placement genre with a touch of Dungeons & Dragons flair.
9 Agricola
Agricola turned us into farmers, and never have vegetables been more competitive. This game has layers, like an onion or a really complex cake. You’re building your farm, expanding your family, and making sure you have enough food for them. It’s a game that makes you strategize your every move. If you love a challenge and don’t mind potentially never looking at a sheep the same way again, this is for you.
8 Viticulture
Viticulture had us swapping our farms for vineyards in sunny Tuscany. Who wouldn’t want that? This game is all about managing your vineyard, from planting vines to selling wine. It’s elegant, thematic, and makes you feel like a wine connoisseur (even if you’re just sipping grape juice). The tension of each choice, the strategy involved in planning your seasons, it’s all bottled up in this box of joy.
7 Champions of Midgard
Ever wanted to be a Viking? Champions of Midgard lets you do just that. This game combines worker placement with dice-driven combat, sending you and your fellow players on a quest to fight monsters. It’s a packed adventure that offers a great balance between strategy and luck. Plus, who can say no to slaying trolls and draugr? Not us, that’s for sure.
6 Everdell
In Everdell, we found ourselves in a lush, woodland realm filled with animals and whimsy. This game stands out not just for its breathtaking art but also for its clever mix of worker placement and card building. You’re gathering resources, constructing buildings, and hosting events. It’s as charming as it is strategic, offering a cozy but competitive atmosphere. Plus, the critter meeples are adorable!
5 Raiders of the North Sea
Back to the Viking theme with Raiders of the North Sea, and it’s a raiding we went! This game has a unique take on worker placement, where you place one worker and pick up another. It’s all about raiding settlements for loot and glory. The gameplay is smooth, the strategy deep, and the theme engrossing. Plus, the art and components are top-notch. A true gem in the worker placement realm.
4 Architects of the West Kingdom
Architects of the West Kingdom had us building a kingdom, and boy, do we love a good construction project. This game adds an interesting twist to the worker placement genre by allowing you to capture other players’ workers. It’s a bit of a darker turn, but in the most fun way possible. You’re striving to impress the king with your architectural skills while managing resources and your workforce. Engaging and competitive!
3 Tzolk’in: The Mayan Calendar
Tzolk’in: The Mayan Calendar took us on a trip through time to the Mayan civilization. This game’s gears are not just for show; they’re the heart of an innovative mechanic where time affects your actions. You place workers on gears that move, simulating time passing. It’s a beautiful blend of time management and worker placement. The strategic depth here is as deep as a cenote, with a steep learning curve that’s entirely worth it.
2 Worker Placement
Before we reveal our top pick, let’s not forget the game that’s literally named Worker Placement. It’s like the metagame of our list! While not as complex or deep as others here, it’s a fun introduction to the genre. It covers the basics of the mechanic, easing newcomers into the concept with light-hearted play and simple strategies. A great stepping stone before diving into the heavier titles.
1 Scythe
Scythe is our top choice for the best worker placement game, hands down. Set in an alternate-history 1920s Europe, it combines area control, resource management, and a unique take on worker placement. Its depth of strategy, stunning artwork, and engaging gameplay blew us away. You’re not just placing workers; you’re building an empire, deploying mechs, and exploring a rich, narrative-driven world. Scythe offers an immersive experience that’s hard to top, making it our favorite in the worker placement genre.
