The best games in which you have to draft 2024
Looking for a game that doesn't rely purely on chance? Then we have just the thing: The 30 best games in which you have to draw. These are so called "drafting" games.
What are drafting games?
Drafting is a means of distributing cards (Wingspan), dice (That's Pretty Clever), tokens (Azul), or other game elements to players through an orderly selection process.
A typical implementation is that each player receives the same number of cards, for example. The players then choose one card to keep. They pass the rest to their left, for example. This continues until all cards are taken. 7 Wonders uses this kind of/drafting.
Alternative ways to draft game elements
One alternative is to deal cards to only one player. This player then takes a card and passes it on until all players have cards. This is, of course, heavily biased towards the first player and needs to be supported thematically and in a balanced way. Without Fear and Nobility/Citadels has this type of drafting.
Open drafting
Another type is "open drafting", where players are shown all options - and each player takes turns choosing. This is similar to action selection/action drafting or worker placement.
List of Best Drafting Games 2024
Monikers
Monikers is a lively and entertaining party game inspired by the classic public domain game Celebrities. It is designed for players who enjoy guessing games and offers a fun challenge through a series of rounds where the methods of clue-giving evolve and become more restrictive.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Monikers- 4 - 16 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 17+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Monikers
Cascadia
Cascadia is a tile-laying and token-drafting board game that features the rich habitats and diverse wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. It combines strategic tile placement with wildlife conservation themes.
Nominated for 26 awards and won 15.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2022
More details for Cascadia- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Azul
Azul invites you to step into the captivating world of Portuguese artistry and craftsmanship. This board game draws inspiration from the introduction of azulejos, originally white and blue ceramic tiles, by the Moors. The tiles found a new home in Portugal when King Manuel I, during a visit to the Alhambra palace in Southern Spain, was enchanted by the exquisite Moorish decorative tiles adorning its interior. Filled with awe and inspiration, the king promptly ordered the embellishment of his own palace in Portugal with similar decorative tiles. As a skilled tile-laying artist, you are tasked with the prestigious mission of adorning the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora.
Nominated for 30 awards and won 19.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2018
More details for Azul- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Video reviews for Azul
Monikers: Serious Nonsense
- 4 - 20 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 18+ years old
- Immediately playable
7 Wonders Duel
7 Wonders Duel takes the essence of the classic 7 Wonders and refines it for an intense two-player experience. It retains the thematic elements of building a civilization through acquiring various types of cards, but it introduces unique mechanics suited for a duel.
Nominated for 16 awards and won 9.
More details for 7 Wonders Duel- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for 7 Wonders Duel
Sushi Go Party!
Sushi Go Party! is an expanded version of the popular card game Sushi Go!, offering more variety and accommodating more players for a larger, more dynamic game experience.
Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.
More details for Sushi Go Party!- 2 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Jaipur
In the bustling city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, you find yourself in a fierce competition as one of the two most powerful traders. However, being a prominent trader isn't enough; the ultimate goal is to earn two coveted "seals of excellence" to secure an invitation to the Maharaja's prestigious court. To outshine your direct competitor, you'll need to demonstrate superior trading skills by buying, exchanging, and selling goods at advantageous prices, all while carefully managing your valuable camel herds.
Nominated for 7 awards and won 4.
More details for Jaipur- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Patchwork
Patchwork is a two-player game where you compete to create the most beautiful and high-scoring patchwork quilt on your personal 9x9 game board.
Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.
More details for Patchwork- 2 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Patchwork
Kingdomino
Embark on a noble quest to expand your kingdom in Kingdomino. As a lord, your mission is to explore vast lands filled with wheat fields, serene lakes, and towering mountains. Competing with fellow lords, you must identify the choicest plots to claim as your own.
Nominated for 17 awards and won 7.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2017
More details for Kingdomino- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Kingdomino
The Quacks of Quedlinburg
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
🔥 Great price!Check for best price now at*Video reviews for The Quacks of Quedlinburg
Harmonies
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Harmonies- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Sea Salt & Paper
Sea Salt & Paper is a set collection card game that combines strategic decision-making with the excitement of timing your moves just right. Similar to Rummy in gameplay, it involves collecting sets of cards to score points, while also navigating the timing of when to end the round for optimal advantage.
Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.
More details for Sea Salt & Paper- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Splendor Duel
Splendor Duel is an intriguing two-player game that builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, Splendor, enhancing it with new layers of strategy and competitiveness. Designed specifically for two players, this standalone game maintains the core elements of Splendor while introducing novel twists and mechanics, making it more dynamic and interactive.
Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.
More details for Splendor Duel- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Point Salad
Point Salad is a dynamic and engaging card drafting game that is suitable for players of all ages. It stands out for its simplicity and the vast array of scoring strategies it offers.
Nominated for 13 awards and won 3.
More details for Point Salad- 2 - 6 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Video reviews for Point Salad
Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated
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
Century: Golem Edition
More details for Century: Golem EditionCentury: 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.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ohanami
More details for OhanamiOhanami is a serene and strategic card drafting game that seamlessly blends simplicity with deep strategic choices. Over three rounds, players cultivate their gardens by selecting cards and building sequences in a quest for the most points.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
King of Tokyo: Dark Edition
More details for King of Tokyo: Dark EditionKing of Tokyo: Dark Edition is a limited collector's edition of the popular game King of Tokyo. Set in an alternative, darker version of Tokyo, this edition brings a new level of intensity to the battle for control of the city.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Quest for El Dorado
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
Star Realms: Frontiers
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
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Project L
Project L is a dynamic and visually appealing board game that combines tile-matching with engine-building elements. It's designed to challenge players with its strategic depth, encapsulated within an elegant and simple design. The game features unique triple-layer 3D puzzles and attractive acrylic pieces, making it not only a test of intellect but also a delight to play.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
More details for Project L- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Star Realms: Colony Wars
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
Wingspan
Wingspan is a captivating, competitive board game from Stonemaier Games, masterfully designed by Elizabeth Hargrave. It's a medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building game that stands out with its unique theme and stunning artwork, featuring over 170 bird illustrations by artists Beth Sobel, Natalia Rojas, and Ana Maria Martinez.
Nominated for 26 awards and won 16.
⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2019
More details for Wingspan- 1 - 5 Players
- 40 - 70 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Video reviews for Wingspan
Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! is a dynamic, fast-paced card game set in a sushi restaurant. Players aim to grab the best sushi combinations as they come around. It's all about strategy, from picking the perfect sushi rolls to collecting sashimi sets. Boost your scores with wasabi-flavored nigiri, and don't forget to load up on pudding by the end!
Nominated for 9 awards and won 2.
More details for Sushi Go!- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West
Nominated for 4 awards.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2024
More details for Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
🔥 Great price!Check for best price now at*Draftosaurus
Draftosaurus is a charming and quick drafting game where players aim to build the most attractive dinosaur park. The game stands out for its use of dino meeples and unique placement restrictions, making it an engaging experience for all ages.
Nominated for 9 awards and won 2.
More details for Draftosaurus- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Draftosaurus
Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game
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
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Star Realms
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
Ticket to Ride: Europe
Ticket to Ride: Europe invites you to embark on an exhilarating train adventure through the heart of Europe. From the historic streets of Edinburgh to the vibrant city of Constantinople, and from the sunny shores of Lisbon to the grandeur of Moscow, you'll traverse the great cities of turn-of-the-century Europe. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or a family looking for a fun challenge, this game, like the original Ticket to Ride, offers an elegantly simple gameplay experience that can be mastered in just five minutes.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Ticket to Ride: Europe- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Video reviews for Ticket to Ride: Europe
Splendor
Splendor beckons you into the vibrant world of Renaissance merchants, where the pursuit of gem mines, modes of transportation, and opulent shops is the path to acquiring prestigious points. In this strategic game of chip-collecting and card development, your goal is to amass wealth and influence that will make you the most renowned merchant of the era. Perhaps, if fortune smiles upon you, nobility may even grace your endeavors, further enhancing your prestige.
Nominated for 21 awards and won 12.
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2014
More details for Splendor- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Splendor
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