ADVERTISEMENT

Board games aren’t equal. There, we’ve said it! While for some, Snakes and Ladders might be the pinnacle of board game entertainment, nothing beats the glory of a strategy game for us. It’s just something so thrilling about them! Okay, nerd-like thrilling with all the planning and scheming and whatnot, but nonetheless. And, if you agree with us, we think you’ll enjoy our list of the best strategy board games to date! 

What will you find in this list full of strategy board games? Well, for starters, the father of them all - chess! Yup, same old good old chess. And, if you’re more into games with actual narrative (although we bet that you can also make up a narrative for chess, hands down), you’ll find such gems as Catan, Carcassonne, and Ticket to Ride here, too. Oh, and Risk did also make it to our list of best board games; how could it not?! Actually, there are so many good strategy board games listed here that you’ll never think about the family-ruining, feud-inducing Monopoly ever again. Although we admit it, it also made it to this list. But hey, you can give your likes to the other cool board games, so this thing of evil never finds its way to the top spot of this list! 

So, ready to check out these awesome strategic board games? If so, scroll on down below, take a look at our selection, and do not forget to vote for the games you think to be the best representative of this category. Once that is all well and done, share this article with your friends! 

#1

Catan

Catan

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hill Branda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the best board games ever...if you can get past your husband's friends giggling like schoolboys whenever someone trades "wood for sheep."

View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Carcassonne

Carcassonne

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hill Branda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love this game. Easy to learn and always different, every time you play. There are a TON of expansions, if you're willing to invest that much into a game.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Scythe

Scythe

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Dahamada Jamawas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yes, yes and yes - graphics perfect, material high quality, tactics and strategy high level - but nothing for small children

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

Wingspan

Wingspan

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Heather Resatz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our family plays loads of board games and I love trying new ones .. just looked this up and it's $200!! How good can this game really be???

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Pandemic

Pandemic

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Randall Peek
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What’s shown is one of the several Pandemic Legacy versions on the market. Legacy games are designed to fundamentally change over the course of a campaign stretching over a number of games. The changes are based on what players do in the game so one campaign could be very different from that played by another group.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Twilight Struggle

Twilight Struggle

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Randall Peek
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strictly two players. It takes a long time to learn and a long time to play, but it is a rich and rewarding game where you take the part of either the US or the USSR and play through the Cold War. Most of the game involves influencing other nations toward your ideology.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Taco vs. Burrito

Taco vs. Burrito

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Dahamada Jamawas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

3 minutes to learn 15 minutes to play - perfect for a long 18 minute evening

#14

Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Randall Peek
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You represent an organization trying to terraform Mars into a habitable state. Through cardplay you complete projects that bring Mars into a better state, trying to reach milestones and gain prestige faster than your rivals. Excellent game.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#17

Ravensburger Disney Villainous

Ravensburger Disney Villainous

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ridley the Monster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Villainous has a simple rule set (move your token, take 4 actions) but the interactions between players can drag the game out for a while. Has the kingmaker problem in competitive groups where someone finally decides to let someone else win. Every villain has a unique rule set making the game a little tricky to teach. Overall though the journey is worth it, beautiful careful game design is on display to balance every character and provide a very unique game.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Randall Peek
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a juggernaut. The game weighs over twenty pounds and comes in a box the size of a small foot locker. There is so much content in the box it it unlikely any player will see it all. This is a campaign game where your characters have individual skills and goals and as the campaign progresses older characters will retire and new ones are unlocked and will join the fight. There are even randomly generated dungeons to play through if you would rather wait for your friends to be available to continue the sprawling story. This is the very definition of epic.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Risk: Game Of Thrones

Risk: Game Of Thrones

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Dahamada Jamawas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A bad game, that can be bought for less than 5$ second hand is not any better because it has GoT written on it. But somehow got some upvotes. Btw: Neverending boring battles, decided by luck without strategy - is this really something GoT should promote?

View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

7 Wonders

7 Wonders

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Randall Peek
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Three to seven players, this is a game of drafting cards and building up your civilization. One of the nice things is that the number of players hardly changes the time to play the game. The two player version, 7 Wonders Duel, is even better.

#24

Small World

Small World

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Randall Peek
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine a Risk like game, except your people have special, unique powers and ways of scoring points. It scales well for anywhere from 2 to 5 players, there are expansions available for even more variety, and it’s one of the easiest games to learn.

ADVERTISEMENT
#25

Root

Root

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ridley the Monster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Complicated a-symetrical war game style game with a cute first creature theme will warm your heart.

#26

Castles Of Burgundy

Castles Of Burgundy

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#27

Everdell

Everdell

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ridley the Monster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This game is a beautiful forest worker placement game. Lots of fun. Easy to teach. First game I played of this was kinda long. Agricola fans will pick up this game quickly. 4 seasons 15 turns plus each turn used to build your city doesn't take a worker, so about 30 turns on average per game. Would highly recommend.

#28

Agricola

Agricola

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hill Branda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love this game but you better have the entire day free before you start playing.

#29

Brass: Birmingham

Brass: Birmingham

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#30

Terra Mystica

Terra Mystica

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#31

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hill Branda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOVE this game--- great for a big group. But tons of fiddly little pieces and tons of things to do on your turn make it last for AGES, so be sure you have the entire evening free.

#32

Power Grid

Power Grid

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hill Branda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A really fun and complex game that's actually pretty easy to learn. Needs a big table top to play.

ADVERTISEMENT
#34

Brass: Lancashire

Brass: Lancashire

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#35

Lost Ruins Of Arnak

Lost Ruins Of Arnak

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#36

The Crew: Mission Deep Sea

The Crew: Mission Deep Sea

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#37

Race For The Galaxy

Race For The Galaxy

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#38

Clank! A Deck-Building Adventure

Clank! A Deck-Building Adventure

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#39

Lords Of Waterdeep

Lords Of Waterdeep

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#40

Tsuro

Tsuro

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Not Telling
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This game is great for any age! If kids wanna join in, it's ok, but still fun for adults.

ADVERTISEMENT
#44

Gloomhaven: Jaws Of The Lion

Gloomhaven: Jaws Of The Lion

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#45

Mage Knight Board Game

Mage Knight Board Game

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Dahamada Jamawas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The mother of analysis paralysis: If you like strategy, you love this game (although it can take up more than one evening). Every time you think you found the perfect solution there will be a more perfect one if you think longer.

#46

Paladins Of The West Kingdom

Paladins Of The West Kingdom

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#48

Grand Austria Hotel

Grand Austria Hotel

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#50

Architects Of The West Kingdom

Architects Of The West Kingdom

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#51

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#52

Space Cowboys Sherlock Holmes- The Thames Murders & Other Cases

Space Cowboys Sherlock Holmes- The Thames Murders & Other Cases

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#54

Through The Ages: A New Story Of Civilization

Through The Ages: A New Story Of Civilization

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#55

Food Chain Magnate

Food Chain Magnate

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#56

Gaia Project

Gaia Project

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#59

Fief: France 1429

Fief: France 1429

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#60

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

Star Wars: Imperial Assault

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Dahamada Jamawas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you like the mechanics but want a game with more complexity with better artwork more material and at a lower price (but without paying for Star Wars): Buy Earth Reborn

#61

Viticulture: Essential Edition

Viticulture: Essential Edition

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#62

Caverna: The Cave Farmers

Caverna: The Cave Farmers

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#63

Twilight Imperium

Twilight Imperium

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#64

Rising Sun

Rising Sun

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#65

Blood Rage

Blood Rage

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#66

Dinosaur Island

Dinosaur Island

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#67

Spirit Island

Spirit Island

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#68

Great Western Trail

Great Western Trail

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#69

Dune: Imperium

Dune: Imperium

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#70

Eclipse: Second Dawn For The Galaxy

Eclipse: Second Dawn For The Galaxy

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#72

Too Many Bones

Too Many Bones

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#74

Underwater Cities

Underwater Cities

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#79

The Gallerist

The Gallerist

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#80

Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar

Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#82

Fields Of Arle

Fields Of Arle

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#83

Teotihuacan: City Of Gods

Teotihuacan: City Of Gods

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#84

Aeon's End

Aeon's End

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#86

The Voyages Of Marco Polo

The Voyages Of Marco Polo

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#87

Dominant Species

Dominant Species

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#88

Aeon's End: War Eternal

Aeon's End: War Eternal

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#89

Beyond The Sun

Beyond The Sun

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#90

Vinhos Deluxe Edition

Vinhos Deluxe Edition

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#93

Lorenzo Il Magnifico

Lorenzo Il Magnifico

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#95

Trickerion: Legends Of Illusion

Trickerion: Legends Of Illusion

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#96

Caylus 1303

Caylus 1303

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Pixie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh, first game took us six hours. No fond memories here 😅

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#98

The Search For Planet X

The Search For Planet X

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#100

Raiders Of The North Sea

Raiders Of The North Sea

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#102

Tigris & Euphrates

Tigris & Euphrates

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#103

Forbidden Stars

Forbidden Stars

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#104

Endeavor: Age Of Sail

Endeavor: Age Of Sail

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#105

Praga Caput Regni

Praga Caput Regni

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#106

The Isle Of Cats

The Isle Of Cats

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#109

Champions Of Midgard

Champions Of Midgard

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#110

This War Of Mine

This War Of Mine

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jack K
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOL... fantastic, immersive game, once you get through the torturous rule books (the clam that you can read the rules summary and start playing is ridiculous). The game is also designed to be extremely long with "save points", like the video game it's based upon, so that it cane be played over several sessions. It's long, as I said, and is very dark in theme and story, but still a lot of fun to play.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#112

Oath: Chronicles Of Empire & Exile

Oath: Chronicles Of Empire & Exile

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#114

Diplomacy

Diplomacy

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ridley the Monster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How is this on the list? This game takes like 10 hours and requires stabbing your friends in the back. Takes a special kind of person to organize and play this monster of a game.

#115

Game Of Thrones: The Board Game

Game Of Thrones: The Board Game

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
#116

Hocus Pocus: The Game

Hocus Pocus: The Game

amazon.com Report

Add photo comments
POST