The best Deck Builder board games 2024

Looking for a really good deck builder? We've created a list of the best deck building games 2024.

What are deck-building games?

In deck-building board games, players play cards from their deck. By playing, they try to acquire new cards and thus gradually improve their deck more and more. The challenge is to skillfully combine the cards with each other.

The deck builder category also includes bag building, pool building and related mechanisms.

Dominion has pioneered the deck-building mechanism.

The best Deck Builder Games 2024

This list was last updated on November 4, 2024. We compared 1749 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. The Quacks of Quedlinburg

    All details for the board game The Quacks of Quedlinburg and similar games

    Become a cunning charlatan or a quack doctor in the whimsical world of The Quacks of Quedlinburg. In this quirky board game, each player concocts their own secret brew, one ingredient at a time. But beware, for a careless addition could spoil the entire mixture!

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 12.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for The Quacks of Quedlinburg
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for The Quacks of Quedlinburg

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Quacks of Quedlinburg" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  2. Heat: Pedal to the Metal

    All details for the board game Heat: Pedal to the Metal and similar games

    Heat: Pedal to the Metal is a dynamic and strategic racing board game that simulates the thrill and intricacies of car racing. It offers players a chance to experience the excitement of racing while managing crucial elements like speed, car upgrades, and varying track conditions.

    Nominated for 16 awards and won 7.

    More details for Heat: Pedal to the Metal
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated

    All details for the board game Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated and similar games

    Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated is an innovative extension of the deck-building game Clank!, incorporating legacy-style elements. Players get the opportunity to establish and grow their own franchise of Acquisitions Incorporated, leading a team of intrepid adventurers on a quest for treasure and corporate fame. The game evolves uniquely across multiple play sessions, creating a personalized adventure campaign.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  4. Century: Golem Edition

    All details for the board game Century: Golem Edition and similar games

    Century: Golem Edition is an engaging and visually appealing board game that is a re-themed version of Century: Spice Road. Set in the imaginative world of Caravania, this game combines strategic planning and resource management, appealing to players who enjoy tactical decision-making.

    More details for Century: Golem Edition
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. The Quest for El Dorado

    All details for the board game The Quest for El Dorado and similar games

    The Quest for El Dorado is a strategic and adventurous board game that immerses players in the exciting journey of discovering the legendary city of gold, El Dorado. Set in the lush South American jungles, this game combines deck-building and racing elements, challenging players to be both cunning and quick.

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 6.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for The Quest for El Dorado
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for The Quest for El Dorado

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Quest for El Dorado" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  6. Star Realms: Frontiers

    All details for the board game Star Realms: Frontiers and similar games

    Star Realms: Frontiers is a dynamic standalone game within the Star Realms series, offering fast-paced space combat with deckbuilding elements. Designed for 1-4 players, it can be enjoyed on its own or integrated with other Star Realms sets for expanded play.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Star Realms: Frontiers
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Star Realms: Colony Wars

    All details for the board game Star Realms: Colony Wars and similar games

    Colony Wars is an engaging standalone deckbuilding game in the Star Realms series, offering both an individual gaming experience for two players and an expansion to the original Star Realms for up to four players.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Star Realms: Colony Wars
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  8. Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game

    All details for the board game Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game and similar games

    Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game brings the epic conflict between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance to your tabletop. This two-player game captures the essence of the Star Wars universe, offering a dynamic and strategic experience where players build their decks and battle to destroy each other's bases.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. Star Realms

    All details for the board game Star Realms and similar games

    Star Realms is a fast-paced, deck-building card game set in the vastness of space. Designed by renowned game creators, it combines the excitement of deck-building with the strategic depth of combat trading card games.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.

    More details for Star Realms
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  10. Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure

    All details for the board game Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure and similar games

    Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure is an exciting board game where players become daring thieves, sneaking into a dragon's lair to steal artifacts while avoiding making noise to prevent waking the dragon.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.

    More details for Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  11. Dune: Imperium

    All details for the board game Dune: Imperium and similar games

    Dune: Imperium is a strategic deck-building game inspired by the iconic Dune universe, incorporating elements from both the recent film adaptation and the classic novels. Players lead one of the Great Houses in the interstellar political landscape of the Landsraad.

    Nominated for 20 awards and won 8.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Dune: Imperium
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  12. Hero Realms

    All details for the board game Hero Realms and similar games

    Hero Realms is a captivating, fantasy-themed deck-building game that builds on the mechanics of the highly acclaimed Star Realms. It offers a versatile gaming experience suitable for different player formats and styles.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.

    More details for Hero Realms
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  13. Undaunted: Normandy

    All details for the board game Undaunted: Normandy and similar games

    Undaunted: Normandy is a deck-building war game that immerses players in the pivotal battles of Normandy following the D-Day landings during World War II. It offers a unique blend of strategy, historical warfare, and deck management.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 1.

    More details for Undaunted: Normandy
    • 2 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Undaunted: Normandy

    • YouTube Review for the game "Undaunted: Normandy" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  14. War Chest

    All details for the board game War Chest and similar games

    War Chest is a distinctive bag-building war game that requires players to skillfully manage their army both on and off the battlefield.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for War Chest
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for War Chest

    • YouTube Review for the game "War Chest" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "War Chest" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  15. Century: Spice Road

    All details for the board game Century: Spice Road and similar games

    Century: Spice Road is the first game in a series that delves into the rich and vibrant history of spice trading. Set against the backdrop of the legendary Silk Road, players take on the roles of caravan leaders, journeying across continents to trade spices and achieve fame and glory. This game combines elements of strategy and resource management, making it an engaging experience for players who enjoy economic and trading games.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 2.

    More details for Century: Spice Road
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Century: Spice Road

    • YouTube Review for the game "Century: Spice Road" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  16. Quacks & Co.: Quedlinburg Dash

    All details for the board game Quacks & Co.: Quedlinburg Dash and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Quacks & Co.: Quedlinburg Dash
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  17. Dominion: Intrigue

    All details for the board game Dominion: Intrigue and similar games

    Dominion: Intrigue is a stand-alone expansion to the original Dominion game, introducing new elements of strategy and card variety to the popular deck-building game.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 1.

    More details for Dominion: Intrigue
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  18. Dominion

    All details for the board game Dominion and similar games

    In Dominion, you step into the shoes of a monarch, much like your ancestors, ruling over a small, picturesque kingdom. However, your ambitions stretch far beyond the peaceful realm you've inherited. Your goal is to expand your territory, transforming these modest lands into a vast dominion filled with diverse landscapes and resources.

    Nominated for 32 awards and won 17.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2009

    More details for Dominion
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  19. Lost Ruins of Arnak

    All details for the board game Lost Ruins of Arnak and similar games

    Lost Ruins of Arnak is an adventurous board game that blends deck-building with worker placement, set on an unexplored island filled with remnants of an ancient civilization.

    Nominated for 30 awards and won 14.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2021

    More details for Lost Ruins of Arnak
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  20. Concordia

    All details for the board game Concordia and similar games

    Concordia is a peaceful yet strategic board game set in Roman times, focusing on economic development and expansion. It is designed for 2-5 players aged 13 and up.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2014

    More details for Concordia
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 100 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Concordia

    • YouTube Review for the game "Concordia" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Concordia" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  21. Tyrants of the Underdark

    All details for the board game Tyrants of the Underdark and similar games

    Tyrants of the Underdark is a strategic board game that combines elements of territory control with deck-building. Set in the iconic Dungeons & Dragons setting of the Underdark, players lead Drow houses vying for power and influence beneath the Sword Coast. The game stands out for its integration of card-driven gameplay with spatial control on the board.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Tyrants of the Underdark
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  22. Tyrants of the Underdark: Board Game

    All details for the board game Tyrants of the Underdark: Board Game and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

    All details for the board game The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth and similar games

    The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth invites players to immerse themselves in the rich and legendary world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. This fully cooperative, app-supported board game is designed for one to five players, offering a unique blend of adventure, strategy, and storytelling set in the iconic landscapes of Middle-Earth.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  24. Dune: Imperium – Uprising

    All details for the board game Dune: Imperium – Uprising and similar games
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  25. Orléans

    All details for the board game Orléans and similar games

    Orléans is a strategic board game set in medieval France, where players compete to gain supremacy through trade, construction, and science by assembling a diverse following of characters like farmers, merchants, knights, and monks.

    Nominated for 12 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2015

    More details for Orléans
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  26. Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure

    All details for the board game Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure and similar games

    Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure propels players into an intergalactic heist aboard the flagship of the evil Lord Eradikus. This thrilling deck-building game challenges players to outmaneuver the lord's defenses and each other in a daring quest for valuable artifacts.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  27. Shards of Infinity

    All details for the board game Shards of Infinity and similar games

    Shards of Infinity is a strategic deck-building game set in a post-apocalyptic world where players vie to rebuild the Infinity Engine. The game's unique twist lies in its focus on reducing opponents' health to zero rather than competing for points. Players start with a basic deck and can acquire new cards from a central display, enhancing their deck or using cards immediately for their abilities.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Shards of Infinity
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  28. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle

    All details for the board game Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle and similar games

    Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle is a cooperative deck-building game set in the beloved world of Harry Potter. Players join forces as Hogwarts students to protect the castle from dark forces.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 1.

    More details for Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 11+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  29. Undaunted: North Africa

    All details for the board game Undaunted: North Africa and similar games

    Undaunted: North Africa is an engaging two-player deck-building game that immerses players in the tactical ground combat of World War II's North African Theater. Building on the success of its predecessor, Undaunted: Normandy, this sequel introduces new mechanics and challenges, focusing on the historical skirmishes between Britain's Long Range Desert Group and Italian forces.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.

    More details for Undaunted: North Africa
    • 2 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Dice Forge

    All details for the board game Dice Forge and similar games

    Embark on a heroic journey in Dice Forge, where the gods extend an invitation to heaven for the hero who can conquer their rivals. Your courage and wit will be crucial as you harness divine dice to collect resources on the path to victory.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 1.

    More details for Dice Forge
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Dice Forge

    • YouTube Review for the game "Dice Forge" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English

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