Beginner Friendly board Games

Open Drafting Board Games for Beginners

Open drafting games are perfect for players who enjoy picking from a shared pool of resources or cards while planning ahead and adapting to their opponents’ choices. Here’s our list of 10 beginner-friendly open drafting games that offer approachable strategy and tons of replayability.

1.

7 Wonders

In 7 Wonders, players draft cards to build an ancient civilization, collecting resources and developing science, military, and culture. The game’s open drafting mechanic lets players adjust strategies based on what’s available and what opponents might need.

2.

Sushi Go!

Sushi Go! is a lighthearted drafting game where players pass hands of sushi cards, aiming to collect sets for points. The open drafting setup makes it accessible and fun for families or casual game nights.

3.

Azul

In Azul, players draft tiles from a shared pool to create beautiful patterns on their boards. The open drafting mechanic encourages players to make strategic decisions to maximize points and block opponents.

4.

Sagrada

In Sagrada, players draft colorful dice to create stained glass patterns, balancing color and number requirements. The open drafting system allows players to plan carefully while adapting to the dice selected by others.

5.

Between Two Cities

Between Two Cities involves drafting tiles to build cities cooperatively with neighboring players. Open drafting adds a unique twist as players must collaborate and compete simultaneously.

6.

Kingdomino

Kingdomino is a tile-drafting game where players select domino-like tiles to expand their kingdom. Simple rules and accessible open drafting make it a great choice for beginners.

7.

Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King

In Isle of Skye, players draft and auction tiles to build their territories. The open drafting and bidding system adds depth without overwhelming newcomers.

8.

Century: Golem Edition

Century: Golem Edition uses open drafting as players collect and trade resources to fulfill contracts. It’s a simple but strategic game perfect for fans of open drafting.

9.

Draftosaurus

In Draftosaurus, players draft dinosaur meeples to fill spaces in their zoo. The game’s simple mechanics and open drafting make it accessible and enjoyable for families.

10.

Parks

In Parks, players draft trail resources to visit U.S. national parks. The open drafting mechanic is easy to learn and adds strategic choices, making it a fantastic entry point for beginners.

Articles on Board games​

Mechanics Info

Open drafting games offer an approachable yet strategic experience for new players, as they provide a shared pool of resources that players must choose from carefully. Each game in this list offers unique challenges and enjoyable interactions, making open drafting an engaging mechanic to explore. For more on board game mechanics, check out our Open drafting mechanics page.

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