7 Best Role Selection Board Games for Top Entertainment

Discover games where strategy intertwines with secrecy: a thrilling blend of roles, deceit, and nail-biting decisions awaits.
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Citadels coverSan Juan coverSecret Hitler cover

Hey fellow board gamers! When we’re on the hunt for our next tabletop adventure, there’s something undeniably alluring about stepping into a new persona and strategizing from behind the mask of a role, isn’t there? In crafting the list of The 7 best Role Selection board games, we sought after those gems that not only allowed us to get lost in our alter egos but also brought to the table depth, unpredictability, and that thrilling tug-of-war between players’ objectives. It’s the art of choice and deception entwined that makes role selection games a captivating experience. Each choice is curated from playtime experiences and intense gaming debates from nights you wish never ended.

Games on this list:

7 Citadels

Citadels cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-8
  • Play Time: 30-60 minutes

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Opening our list, ‘Citadels’ impresses with its blend of strategy and role selection mechanics. We’ve spent countless game nights plotting and second-guessing which roles our friends will choose. With its medium complexity and engaging gameplay involving city building and character abilities, Citadels remains a hit for its ability to appeal to both casual and dedicated gamers alike.

6 San Juan

San Juan cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 45-60 minutes

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San Juan is the card game adaptation of the classic ‘Puerto Rico.’ It captivates first-timers with its simple role selection intertwined with a dynamic strategy. It’s brilliant in its simplicity yet provides a depth of choices; we find it’s a stellar choice for teaching the nuances of economic engines. One can expect a unique blend of tactics in each playthrough, ensuring its replayability.

5 Secret Hitler

Secret Hitler cover

  • Age Range: 17+
  • Players: 5-10
  • Play Time: 45 minutes

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Adding a sprinkle of mischief and mayhem, ‘Secret Hitler’ has us enraptured with its social deduction elements and role selection. The fascinating political intrigue nestled within every aspect of play creates an edgy atmosphere throughout our gameplay. Engaging both for its deceptiveness and strategic depth, it has formed the center of many thrilling game nights.

4 Mascarade

Mascarade cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-13
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

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A masquerade ball comes to life on our table with ‘Mascarade.’ This brilliant game marries role selection with memory and bluffing — flexibility and sharp minds prevail here. It’s a frequent choice when we crave a mix of excitement and strategic gameplay, and it’s a fantastic one to whip out when showcasing role selection fun with a larger group.

3 Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia

Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 2-6
  • Play Time: 60 minutes

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Euphoria offers a rich and immersive role selection experience set against the backdrop of a dystopian society. Rolling dice as workers, we’re often stuck in a delicious dilemma of progressing our agenda or maintaining the blissful ignorance of our workforce. It bags the place for its thematic depth and slightly heavier strategic demand among the role selection board games we’ve savored.

2 Mission: Red Planet (Second Edition)

Mission: Red Planet (Second Edition) cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-6
  • Play Time: 40-80 minutes

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‘Mission: Red Planet’ is a gem that’s as explosive as a rocket launch. For those interested in a steam-punk Martian exploration with hefty role selection, this hits the sweet spot. The second edition brings more refined gameplay that kicks things up a notch. Every session at our table witnesses intricate strategies wrapped around each role, coupled with interactive player mechanics. It engraves memorable gaming marathons in our minds, pushing it high on this list.

1 The Resistance: Avalon

The Resistance: Avalon cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 5-10
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

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Topping ‘The 7 best Role Selection board games,’ ‘The Resistance: Avalon’ delivers a quintessential balance of role-led gameplay interlocked with allegiance and deception. Having faced many tense and head-spinning moments, our group can vouch for its remarkable design optimized for social deception and intrigue. Exhilaration unfolds as we challenge each other’s loyalty, spending time in heated debates and stealthy maneuvers. Its raw, party-game charm combined with a strategic core propels it to the top of our conflicted kingdom.

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.