The best games where you can construct your deck of cards before the game starts 2024

Looking for a really good game where you can create your deck of cards before the game? Then we have just the thing for you: the list of the best deck construction games 2024.

What are Deck Construction games?

In the games from this best list, each player creates the deck they will use in the first step or before the game starts.

Examples of games where you can create your deck before the game:

A good example of a deck construction game is Magic: The Gathering or the games of the Smash Up series.

list of the best deck-construction games 2024

This list was last updated on October 8, 2024. We compared 370 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Marvel Champions: The Card Game

    All details for the board game Marvel Champions: The Card Game and similar games

    In the immortal words of Stan Lee, "With great power, there must also come great responsibility." Enter the thrilling world of Marvel Champions: The Card Game, where Iron Man and Black Panther unite to thwart Rhino's rampage through New York, and Captain Marvel teams up with Spider-Man to face the looming threat of Ultron and global annihilation. Do you possess the mettle to stand alongside these legendary heroes and emerge as a true champion?

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 2.

    🔥 Deal: 6% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Marvel Champions: The Card Game
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Marvel Champions: The Card Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "Marvel Champions: The Card Game" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  2. Star Wars: Unlimited

    All details for the board game Star Wars: Unlimited and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. Summoner Wars (Second Edition)

    All details for the board game Summoner Wars (Second Edition) and similar games

    Summoner Wars (Second Edition) revitalizes the classic tactical dueling card game with new art, streamlined rules, and an expandable game system. Players take on the roles of summoners, commanding unique factions in a strategic battle to dominate the war-torn planet of Itharia. This edition not only updates fan-favorite factions but also introduces new ones to the fray, ensuring fresh and engaging gameplay for newcomers and veterans alike.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Summoner Wars (Second Edition)
    • 2 Players
    • 40 - 60 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  4. Challengers!

    All details for the board game Challengers! and similar games

    Challengers! offers a fresh and dynamic deck-management experience, where 1-8 players engage in a tournament-style battle that lasts around 45 minutes, regardless of the number of players. This game stands out by allowing players to encounter a new opponent in each round, pushing the excitement and strategic planning to new heights with every match.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023

    More details for Challengers!
    • 1 - 8 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

    All details for the board game Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion and similar games

    Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a standalone adventure game that serves as a prequel to the highly acclaimed Gloomhaven. It's designed to be more accessible to a broader audience, with streamlined rules and an integrated tutorial.

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 5.

    More details for Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  6. Gloomhaven

    All details for the board game Gloomhaven and similar games

    Gloomhaven is a Euro-inspired tactical combat game set in a persistent and evolving world. Players assume the roles of adventurers, each with unique skills and motives, as they explore dungeons, ruins, and engage in cooperative battles against automated monsters.

    Nominated for 22 awards and won 10.

    More details for Gloomhaven
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Gloomhaven

    • YouTube Review for the game "Gloomhaven" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Gloomhaven" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  7. Summoner Wars: Master Set

    All details for the board game Summoner Wars: Master Set and similar games

    Summoner Wars: Master Set is a tactical card game that combines elements of strategy and fantasy. Players take on the roles of powerful Summoners, each harnessing the power of mysterious stones to lead their factions to victory in the war-torn world of Itharia.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Summoner Wars: Master Set
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  8. Arkham Horror: The Card Game

    All details for the board game Arkham Horror: The Card Game and similar games

    Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a Lovecraftian horror card game that blends role-playing and card game elements. Set in the eerie town of Arkham, players face mysterious, monstrous, and maddening challenges.

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 4.

    More details for Arkham Horror: The Card Game
    • 1 - 2 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Arkham Horror: The Card Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "Arkham Horror: The Card Game" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  9. Summer Camp

    All details for the board game Summer Camp and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    🔥 Deal: 42% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Summer Camp
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  10. Stellar Conflict

    All details for the board game Stellar Conflict and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  11. Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire

    All details for the board game Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire and similar games

    Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire stands as a distinctive tactical arena combat game set within the rich universe of Warhammer Age of Sigmar. Designed for both quick play and depth of strategy, this game caters to a wide audience, from newcomers to seasoned players looking for a competitive experience. The game emphasizes balanced, small-scale tactical battles that can be completed in less than 45 minutes, making it ideal for both casual sessions and competitive tournament play.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  12. Android: Netrunner

    All details for the board game Android: Netrunner and similar games

    Android: Netrunner is an asymmetrical Living Card Game for two players, set in a cyberpunk future. It involves strategic card play, where one player controls a megacorporation and the other plays as a lone runner.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.

    More details for Android: Netrunner
    • 2 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  13. Kodachi

    All details for the board game Kodachi and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game

    All details for the board game The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game and similar games

    The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game is a cooperative adventure game that immerses players in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The game challenges players to complete scenarios using heroes, allies, and a deck of event and attachment cards.

    Nominated for 7 awards.

    More details for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game
    • 1 - 2 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  15. Blue Moon Legends

    All details for the board game Blue Moon Legends and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  16. Smash Up

    All details for the board game Smash Up and similar games

    Smash Up is a unique and engaging "shufflebuilding" game where players combine two distinct factions, each with a 20-card deck, into a single 40-card deck. The game is known for its quirky and diverse factions, each with its own unique mechanics and gameplay style.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for Smash Up
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  17. Wiz-War (Eighth Edition)

    All details for the board game Wiz-War (Eighth Edition) and similar games

    Wiz-War (Eighth Edition), a reimagining of Tom Jolly's 1983 classic, is a chaotic and humorous board game for 2-4 players, where wizards duel in an underground labyrinth. This edition, enhanced by Kevin Wilson and Tom Jolly, focuses on faster gameplay and clearer card effects, staying true to the original's spirit.

    More details for Wiz-War (Eighth Edition)
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  18. Smash Up: Cease and Desist

    All details for the board game Smash Up: Cease and Desist and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  19. Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Revised Edition)

    All details for the board game Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Revised Edition) and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  20. The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core Set

    All details for the board game The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core Set and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  21. Magic: The Gathering

    All details for the board game Magic: The Gathering and similar games

    Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a highly influential collectible card game (CCG) that has shaped the genre since its inception. Players take on the roles of planeswalkers, powerful wizards engaging in strategic duels.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 6.

    More details for Magic: The Gathering
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  22. Frosthaven

    All details for the board game Frosthaven and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 90 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  23. Aristeia!

    All details for the board game Aristeia! and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  24. Smash Up: What Were We Thinking?

    All details for the board game Smash Up: What Were We Thinking? and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  25. Allegra

    All details for the board game Allegra and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Allegra
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 40 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  26. Blue Moon

    All details for the board game Blue Moon and similar games

    Blue Moon is a unique card game for two players, designed by Reiner Knizia, which stands out in the realm of strategy card games for its distinctive mechanics and setting. It differs significantly from games like Magic: The Gathering, primarily in that it is not a collectible card game (CCG) but rather a precursor to what is now known as a Living Card Game (LCG), with no random cards in its expansions.

    More details for Blue Moon
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Blue Moon

    • YouTube Review for the game "Blue Moon" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Blue Moon" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  27. Romans Go Home!

    All details for the board game Romans Go Home! and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  28. Aventuria: Adventure Card Game

    All details for the board game Aventuria: Adventure Card Game and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  29. Ashes Reborn: Rise of the Phoenixborn

    All details for the board game Ashes Reborn: Rise of the Phoenixborn and similar games

    Ashes Reborn: Rise of the Phoenixborn is an expandable card game set in a world where players assume the roles of Phoenixborns – demi-gods and saviors of human civilizations. These powerful beings once liberated humanity from monstrous creatures like chimeras, but now face a new challenge. A prophecy has sparked the War of Ashes, pitting Phoenixborns against each other in a struggle for ultimate power and godhood. Players engage in this conflict, determining the fate of these mighty heroes.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for Ashes Reborn: Rise of the Phoenixborn
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  30. Fireteam Zero

    All details for the board game Fireteam Zero and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Fireteam Zero
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

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