The best games where you can perform an ability once per game 2024

Looking for a really good game where you can perform an ability once per game? Then we have just the thing for you: the list of the best once-per-game skill games 2024.

What are once per game skill games?

In games on this list, players have a special ability that they can use once per game.

Often, players receive bonus victory points if they don't use their once-per-game abilities during the game.

Examples of games where you can perform an ability once per game:

These abilities can be unique to them, like "feats" in Warmachine, or common to all players, like the special power cards in Finca.

List of the best once-per-game skill games 2024

This list was last updated on February 25, 2024. We compared 276 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. 7 Wonders Duel

    All details for the board game 7 Wonders Duel and similar games

    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
    🔥 Great price!22€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for 7 Wonders Duel

    • YouTube Review for the game "7 Wonders Duel" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  2. 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
  3. Wingspan

    All details for the board game Wingspan and similar games

    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!44€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Wingspan

    • YouTube Review for the game "Wingspan" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  4. Lands of Galzyr

    All details for the board game Lands of Galzyr and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Lands of Galzyr
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 150 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. 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
  6. Watergate

    All details for the board game Watergate and similar games

    Watergate thrusts players into the historical tug-of-war between the Nixon Administration and a determined journalist from the Washington Post. This game recreates the infamous political scandal, requiring strategic card play and keen decision-making.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.

    More details for Watergate
    • 2 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Watergate

    • YouTube Review for the game "Watergate" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  7. 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 29 awards and won 13.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2021

    More details for Lost Ruins of Arnak
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  8. Under Falling Skies

    All details for the board game Under Falling Skies and similar games

    Under Falling Skies is a solo board game with a focus on strategic defense against an alien invasion. It features a multi-mission campaign where players defend cities from extraterrestrial threats.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 4.

    More details for Under Falling Skies
    • 1 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. 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
  10. 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
    👍 Good price!160€ atAmazon.de*

    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
  11. Samurai

    All details for the board game Samurai and similar games

    Samurai is a strategic board game set in medieval Japan. It immerses players in a contest of influence and power among three key factions of the era: samurai, peasants, and priests.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Samurai
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Samurai

    • YouTube Review for the game "Samurai" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  12. Star Wars: Rebellion

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

    Star Wars: Rebellion is a grand strategy board game set in the Star Wars universe, offering an epic conflict between the Galactic Empire and Rebel Alliance for two to four players.

    Nominated for 15 awards and won 4.

    More details for Star Wars: Rebellion
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 180 - 240 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Star Wars: Rebellion

    • YouTube Review for the game "Star Wars: Rebellion" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  13. Trek 12: Himalaya

    All details for the board game Trek 12: Himalaya and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Trek 12: Himalaya
    • 1 - 50 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  14. New York Slice

    All details for the board game New York Slice and similar games

    New York Slice offers a unique twist on pizza making where players become chefs vying for the title of head chef at a prestigious pizza parlor. Through strategic slicing and selecting of pizza pieces, players attempt to create the most desirable pizza combinations while navigating the challenges of daily specials and avoiding dreaded anchovies.

    More details for New York Slice
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for New York Slice

    • YouTube Review for the game "New York Slice" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  15. Coffee Roaster

    All details for the board game Coffee Roaster and similar games
    • 1 Players
    • 10 - 30 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!30€ atAmazon.de*
  16. Finca

    All details for the board game Finca and similar games

    Welcome to the sun-soaked island of Mallorca, where the game of Finca unfolds against a backdrop of golden beaches, a light-blue sea, and abundant orchards. In this strategic board game, players take on the role of Mallorcan farmers as they endeavor to cultivate and deliver the island's finest fruits, including oranges, lemons, almonds, and grapes. The key to success lies in efficiently managing your resources and outpacing your competitors in the race to deliver your crops.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2009

    More details for Finca
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  17. Wonder Book

    All details for the board game Wonder Book and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Wonder Book
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!61€ atAmazon.de*
  18. Finca

    All details for the board game Finca and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!45€ atAmazon.de*
  19. Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

    All details for the board game Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game and similar games

    Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game is a semi-cooperative game that captures the tension and intrigue of the acclaimed Sci-Fi Channel series. It combines elements of mistrust, survival, and strategic gameplay.

    Nominated for 11 awards.

    More details for Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 120 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  20. Specter Ops

    All details for the board game Specter Ops and similar games

    Specter Ops is a thrilling, sci-fi themed board game that plunges players into a tense world of stealth, strategy, and hidden movement. In this game, players are divided into two distinct roles: a solo secret agent of A.R.K infiltrating a high-security Raxxon facility, and the team of genetically modified Raxxon Hunters tasked with tracking down and capturing the agent. The game is reminiscent of classic hidden movement games like Scotland Yard, but with a futuristic twist.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Specter Ops
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Specter Ops

    • YouTube Review for the game "Specter Ops" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  21. Tapestry

    All details for the board game Tapestry and similar games

    Tapestry is a strategic board game designed by Jamey Stegmaier, intended for 1-5 players and lasting about two hours. The game invites players to weave the narrative of a civilization's journey from the dawn of humankind into the future, creating a unique and storied history that diverges from real-world events.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.

    More details for Tapestry
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  22. Cóatl

    All details for the board game Cóatl and similar games

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for Cóatl
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. New York 1901

    All details for the board game New York 1901 and similar games

    New York 1901 is a board game that transports players back to the early 20th century to partake in the construction of iconic skyscrapers in New York City's Financial District. This game combines elements of strategic planning and spatial reasoning, offering an engaging experience for those who enjoy city-building and real estate development themes.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for New York 1901
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  24. Glass Road

    All details for the board game Glass Road and similar games

    Glass Road celebrates the centuries-old tradition of glass-making in the Bavarian Forest, offering a unique blend of resource management and strategy in a historical setting.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Glass Road
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 80 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  25. Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)

    All details for the board game Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) and similar games

    Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) is a thrilling, immersive board game that combines elements of role-playing, strategy, and adventure. In this game, players take on the roles of heroes or the overlord, embarking on quests through treacherous landscapes filled with dangers and monsters.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  26. Frosthaven

    All details for the board game Frosthaven and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 90 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
    👍 Good price!277€ atAmazon.de*
  27. Aton

    All details for the board game Aton and similar games

    Aton is an intriguing board game set against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in ancient Egyptian history, where theological upheaval and power struggles define the era. As Pharaoh Akhnaton ascends to the throne, he seeks to revolutionize Egyptian worship by replacing the old deity Amon with Aton, sparking a fierce conflict with the entrenched priesthood.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Aton
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  28. Stone Soup

    All details for the board game Stone Soup and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  29. Heaven & Ale

    All details for the board game Heaven & Ale and similar games

    Heaven & Ale is a strategic board game set in the intriguing world of monastic brewing. Players take on the roles of monks in charge of ancient monasteries, tasked with brewing high-quality beer. The game combines resource management, timing, and competitive elements, challenging players to skillfully balance the upgrading of their monastery's garden with the efficient harvesting of resources necessary for brewing.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for Heaven & Ale
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  30. King's Road

    All details for the board game King's Road and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

We're positive that you'll find it in one of our other lists! To make the search easier for you, we split our website into different categories. The following board game categories will help you find the right list: