The best worker placement games 2024

Worker placement is a game mechanic for board games. We have selected the best worker placement games for you.

What are worker placement games?

Worker Placement is a game mechanic and also known as "drawing actions". The worker placement mechanism requires players to select individual actions from a set of actions available to all players. In general, players select actions one at a time and in order. There is generally a limit to the number of times a single action may be performed. Once this limit is reached for an action, it usually either becomes more expensive to perform again - or it cannot be performed for the rest of the round. Therefore, not all actions can be performed by all players in a given round, and "blocking" of the action occurs. If the game is structured in rounds, all actions are usually refreshed at the beginning or end of each round, so that they become available again.

Different variants of action-drawing Worker Placements.

Actions are usually selected by placing tiles or tokens on the selected actions. Each player usually has a limited number of tokens with which to participate in the process. Some games achieve the same effect in reverse: the round begins with action spaces filled with tokens that players claim for a fee.

The various professions gave the game its name

From a thematic point of view, the tiles that players use to design actions often represent workers in a particular occupation (but this category of mechanism is not necessarily limited to or by this thematic representation). In other words, players often "thematically place workers" to show which actions were designed by individual players. In Agricola, for example, each player starts with two pieces representing family members that can be placed on action spaces to gather resources or perform other actions such as building fences. When someone places a piece on a particular space, that action is no longer available until the next turn.

Examples of worker placement games

Keydom, released in 1998, is widely recognized as the first game of the worker placement genre. Early design experiments with this mechanism include Way Out West (2000) and Bus (1999). Well-known worker placement examples include Agricola (2007), Caylus (2005), and Stone Age (2008).

For more details on the topic, see the Wikipedia article on Worker Placement.

List of the best Worker Placement games 2024

This list was last updated on November 30, 2024. We compared 1558 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. 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
  2. PARKS

    All details for the board game PARKS and similar games

    PARKS is a visually stunning board game that celebrates the beauty and splendor of U.S. National Parks. With artwork from Fifty-Nine Parks, this game offers players a unique blend of strategy and adventure as they embark on a journey through nature.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 2.

    More details for PARKS
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. Forgotten Waters

    All details for the board game Forgotten Waters and similar games

    Forgotten Waters is a captivating board game that plunges players into the whimsical and unpredictable world of pirate adventure. Blending storytelling and strategy, this game stands out for its immersive narrative and engaging gameplay.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 2.

    🔥 Deal: 8% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Forgotten Waters
    • 3 - 7 Players
    • 120 - 240 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  4. Lords of Waterdeep

    All details for the board game Lords of Waterdeep and similar games

    Lords of Waterdeep immerses players in the vibrant and politically charged city of Waterdeep, the Crown Jewel of the Forgotten Realms. In this strategic board game designed for 2-5 players, you assume the identity of one of the enigmatic Lords of Waterdeep, the city's clandestine rulers. As a Lord, you'll navigate a web of intrigue and compete with other powerful figures to exert control over this remarkable city. Let's explore the game's key features:

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.

    More details for Lords of Waterdeep
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. Everdell

    All details for the board game Everdell and similar games

    Everdell invites players to immerse themselves in the enchanting valley of Everdell, where a thriving civilization of forest critters seeks to expand their territories and establish new cities beneath towering trees, meandering streams, and mossy hollows. As the leader of a group of ambitious critters, you have a busy year ahead, filled with construction, character encounters, and hosting events. Can you ensure that the sun shines brightest on your city before the winter moon rises?

    Nominated for 16 awards and won 7.

    More details for Everdell
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 40 - 80 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Everdell

    • YouTube Review for the game "Everdell" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  6. 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
  7. Targi

    All details for the board game Targi and similar games

    Targi is a strategic board game set against the backdrop of the Tuareg culture in the desert. Players assume the roles of leaders of Tuareg tribes, engaging in trade and seeking to expand their families and influence.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2012

    More details for Targi
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Targi

    • YouTube Review for the game "Targi" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  8. Viticulture Essential Edition

    All details for the board game Viticulture Essential Edition and similar games

    Step into the charming, rustic world of Viticulture Essential Edition, where players assume the roles of individuals in picturesque, pre-modern Tuscany. Inherit meager vineyards, a handful of plots, an aged crushpad, a quaint cellar, and three diligent workers. With dreams of making their wineries renowned successes, players embark on an unforgettable journey.

    More details for Viticulture Essential Edition
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  9. Raiders of the North Sea

    All details for the board game Raiders of the North Sea and similar games

    Raiders of the North Sea is a vibrant board game set during the Viking Age, where players embody Viking warriors vying for the Chieftain's recognition through strategic raiding and resource management.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for Raiders of the North Sea
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 80 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. Flamecraft

    All details for the board game Flamecraft and similar games

    In Flamecraft, you delve into a whimsical world where artisan dragons, smaller yet magically adept relatives of their larger kin, are the stars. As a Flamekeeper, your role is to communicate with these dragons, finding them the perfect shop to call home and using enchantments to coax them into creating marvelous things. Your success in aiding the dragons and shopkeepers boosts your reputation, with the goal of becoming the Master of Flamecraft.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.

    More details for Flamecraft
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  13. Stone Age

    All details for the board game Stone Age and similar games

    Stone Age catapults players into the challenging era of our ancestors, a time when survival hinged on the relentless pursuit of progress. In roles as hunters, collectors, farmers, and toolmakers, players will experience the hardships and triumphs of this prehistoric age. Here's an overview of the game:

    Nominated for 22 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2008

    More details for Stone Age
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Stone Age

    • YouTube Review for the game "Stone Age" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  14. Fabled Fruit

    All details for the board game Fabled Fruit and similar games

    Fabled Fruit is a unique and evolving board game set in a vibrant forest teeming with delectable fruits. Players find themselves in a race to gather and mix these fruits into the most delicious juices. As part of the innovative Fable game series, Fabled Fruit offers a dynamic gameplay experience that changes and evolves with each play, yet unlike legacy games, it can be reset and replayed from scratch without permanent alterations.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for Fabled Fruit
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Fabled Fruit

    • YouTube Review for the game "Fabled Fruit" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  15. Champions of Midgard

    All details for the board game Champions of Midgard and similar games

    Champions of Midgard is a Viking-themed board game that blends worker placement mechanics with dice rolling for combat. The game is set in a Norse harbor town besieged by mythical creatures, and players lead Viking clans to defend it and earn glory.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Champions of Midgard
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  16. Stone Age: Anniversary

    All details for the board game Stone Age: Anniversary and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  17. Everdell: Collector's Edition

    All details for the board game Everdell: Collector's Edition and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 40 - 80 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  18. Tokaido

    All details for the board game Tokaido and similar games

    Tokaido is a beautifully designed board game where players embark on a journey across the "East sea road", one of Japan's most scenic routes. The essence of the game lies in experiencing the journey itself, with players encountering various events and collecting diverse items along the way.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for Tokaido
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Tokaido

    • YouTube Review for the game "Tokaido" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  19. Architects of the West Kingdom

    All details for the board game Architects of the West Kingdom and similar games

    In Architects of the West Kingdom, set against the backdrop of the late Carolingian Empire around 850 AD, players step into the roles of royal architects. Tasked with constructing important buildings and advancing the construction of the Archbishop's cathedral, this game uniquely combines resource management, worker placement, and moral choices into a rich strategic tableau. Players vie for the King's favor and maintain their noble status in a world where virtue and vice coexist.

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 5.

    More details for Architects of the West Kingdom
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 80 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Architects of the West Kingdom

    • YouTube Review for the game "Architects of the West Kingdom" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  20. Imhotep

    All details for the board game Imhotep and similar games

    Imhotep invites players into the ancient world of Egypt, where they compete as builders trying to leave their mark on history by constructing notable monuments.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Imhotep
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  21. Istanbul

    All details for the board game Istanbul and similar games

    Istanbul is a strategic board game set in the bustling environment of Istanbul's grand bazaar, where players compete as merchants trying to outmaneuver their rivals to collect precious rubies.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2014

    More details for Istanbul
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 40 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Istanbul

    • YouTube Review for the game "Istanbul" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  22. My Lil' Everdell

    All details for the board game My Lil' Everdell and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. A Song of Ice & Fire: Tabletop Miniatures Game – Night's Watch Starter Set

    All details for the board game A Song of Ice & Fire: Tabletop Miniatures Game – Night's Watch Starter Set and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  24. Pan Am

    All details for the board game Pan Am and similar games

    Pan Am is an engaging board game that immerses players in the era of pioneering air travel, where they compete to build and expand their own airline empires. The game cleverly integrates strategy, bidding, and economic elements, allowing players to navigate through the historical landscape of the aviation industry.

    🔥 Deal: 44% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Pan Am
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  25. The White Castle

    All details for the board game The White Castle and similar games

    Nominated for 12 awards and won 6.

    More details for The White Castle
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 80 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  26. Mint Works

    All details for the board game Mint Works and similar games

    Mint Works is a compact and accessible worker placement board game, perfect for introducing new players to the genre and for gaming on the go. It stands out for its simplicity and portability, offering a straightforward yet engaging gameplay experience.

    More details for Mint Works
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 10 - 20 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  27. Quadropolis

    All details for the board game Quadropolis and similar games

    Quadropolis is a competitive city-building game where players strategically construct their own metropolises while vying for various urban structures like shops, parks, and public services. The game is characterized by its unique architect placement mechanic and the strategic allocation of resources.

    Nominated for 6 awards.

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

    Video reviews for Quadropolis

    • YouTube Review for the game "Quadropolis" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Quadropolis" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  28. Century: A New World

    All details for the board game Century: A New World and similar games

    Century: A New World is the captivating final chapter in the acclaimed "Century" series by Emerson Matsuuchi. This installment transports players to the rich and uncharted territories of the Americas during the 16th century, offering a unique blend of strategy, exploration, and resource management.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Century: A New World
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  29. Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small

    All details for the board game Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small and similar games

    Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small offers a specialized, two-player experience derived from the popular Agricola game, focusing exclusively on the aspect of animal husbandry.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Little Town

    All details for the board game Little Town and similar games

    Little Town is a charming and strategic board game where players take on the roles of architects with the goal of developing their own little town over four rounds. Through careful placement of workers on the game board, players gather essential resources, construct buildings, and earn victory points. The game challenges players to make the most out of their workers each round, strategically planning to gather resources, and cleverly positioning themselves in relation to buildings for optimal gain.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

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

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