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Board Games All Hobbyists Should Have
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items If you’re new to the hobby and you’re looking to build your collection these are games you must have! These games are classic introductions to the board gaming world outside of mass market games. I have so much to add to this category give it a like ...
Did I fail to mention one of your favorites? Let me know, maybe I haven't tried it yet!
Did I fail to mention one of your favorites? Let me know, maybe I haven't tried it yet!
Sections
5
CATAN 🌳🧱🐑🌾🪨
Wingspan & More 🦆🐉🐠
Deck building 🤔🃏
Anything can happen 👀
Needed Mentions 📣
CATAN 🌳🧱🐑🌾🪨
CATAN has so many variations and expansions there’s too many to count. Of the ones I’ve played personally here are my recommendations. Start with Catan, then try the others!
If you’re going to try CATAN, you have to start here. It’s for 3-4 players and the first step to expanding your horizons. Players compete to collect 10 victory points by collecting, trading, or stealing resources. One bad decision (or bad dice rolls)...
CATAN
Add 1 or 2 more players with this expansion. It’s plays same as the base game with slight variations.
CATAN Expansion 5-6 Players
This expansion offer new mechanisms for expanding cities and acquiring resources. I recommend getting familiar with the original CATAN first. When playing this I felt like my group was playing more aggressively, so maybe not for you if you don’t want...
CATAN Cities & Knights
This is the 2-player version of CATAN. It has some familiar elements to the original game but functions differently. Of the many games I’ve played that have a 2-player adaption this one is the best.
Rivals for Catan
CATAN Dice Game is a simplified version of CATAN, perfect to take on the go or play in places with space restrictions. Definitely a fun one to play if you’re looking to kill a little bit of time or play something more casual but still desire CATAN.
CATAN Dice Game
Wingspan & More 🦆🐉🐠
Wingspan is a competitive engine-building game inspired by nature. It was such a hit that other variations were born from it! I haven't found a game from Stonemaier Games that I don't like.
This is one of my personal favorites, it is 1-5 players and takes about an hour and some change to play. This game is competitive but it’s more focused on individual play. You collect birds that have different abilities and try to score the most poin...
Wingspan
If you're looking to add some variety to your Wingspan experience check out their expansion packs. You'll explore different parts of the world and see birds from different continents.
I haven't tried all of them, but the European one was fun and definitely made our games more interesting!
I haven't tried all of them, but the European one was fun and definitely made our games more interesting!
Wingspan: European Expansion
This is Wingspan but with dragons! My favorite thing about this company is that when they make a new game it feels familiar to other games, but it doesn't feel identical.
Wyrmspan offers new ways of collecting points and new board mechanisms. I will say if you end up loving Wingspan you may struggle to show this one the same love.
Wyrmspan offers new ways of collecting points and new board mechanisms. I will say if you end up loving Wingspan you may struggle to show this one the same love.
Wyrmspan – Stonemaier Games
Finspan is the fish version of Wingspan if you didn’t guess it. I personally haven’t played this one but my friends have and they loved it. This is definitely the next game that’s going to be added to my collection.
Finspan
Deck building 🤔🃏
Deck building games are some of my favorite they’re the middle ground between trading card games and board games. The strategies are endless and most of them are cooperative.
Inspired by the Slay the Spire video game, this board game adaption is amazing! This is a roguelike deck building game where you and your team advances floors attempting to beat the final boss. Each time you and your team fails you mark tour progress...
Slay the Spire: The Board Game (2024)
Take two decks, smash them together and battle it out! This game is a lot of fun because there are a lot of combinations that can be made and plenty of expansions to spice things up. Some combos can be a little broken so you may have to make a house ...
This game is 2-4 players, it's easy to learn and replays really well! Warning, be prepared for some intense competition!
This game is 2-4 players, it's easy to learn and replays really well! Warning, be prepared for some intense competition!
Smash Up | Board Game
I'm not in love with Harry Potter the way some people are, but I remember playing this game and loving every bit of it. This is a cooperative deck builder that is a great introduction for people looking to try this style of game.
Work with your team to defeat all the villains and secure the castle from the evil forces!
Work with your team to defeat all the villains and secure the castle from the evil forces!
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle (2016)
Anything can happen 👀
These games are about knowing the people you’re with. Or testing how well you know them! Work together on teams to complete team objectives for the win!
The Resistance is a social deception game for 5-10 players. If you like to argue and deceive people this is a great introduction. It’s like poker where you need to keep a straight face and help your team win by any means necessary.
The Resistance
Another social deception game that’s 5-10 players. Split between two teams and get a secret agenda. Don’t let the liberals figure out who you are!
This is one of my favorite games to play with large groups. Not a good fit if you don’t like to argue ...
Secret Hitler
Codenames is a team based game where teams race to guess all of their words first. This is a great group activity where knowing your team can make or break you.
I enjoy playing codenames when I want a more casual and inclusive experience.
Codenames Online
Needed Mentions 📣
These are games that I find that most board game enthusiasts have and are true introductory games. I've enjoyed these games myself, but they aren't always my first grab anymore.
If it’s not CATAN it’s usually ticket to ride as most people’s introduction to hobby board games. I’ve only played this game a few times. It was fun but I really wanted to feel like there was more I could take control of.
It’s 2-5 players, and hone...
Ticket to Ride Board Game
Splendor is know to be the intersection of mass market games and hobby board games. This game is one of my favorite games to play (maybe I really like engine building games). It’s super easy to teach people and the options are endless. Meant for 2-4 ...
Splendor
5-Minute Dungeon is a fast cooperative card game. This game is meant for 2-5 players and is so much fun. Work together as a team to clear enemies and a dungeon boss before the 5 minute timer runs out.
This game is also so nice because it's easy to learn, quick to teach and doesn't take more than 5 minutes to play a round, maybe 10 minutes total if it takes a minute or two to unpack and pack it up.
This game is also so nice because it's easy to learn, quick to teach and doesn't take more than 5 minutes to play a round, maybe 10 minutes total if it takes a minute or two to unpack and pack it up.
5-Minute Dungeon
5-Minute Marvel is just like 5-Minute Dungeon, just Marvel themed! I find that this typically is easier for people to say yes to trying because they get to pick a familiar hero.
5-Minute Marvel