Tableau building board games task players with managing a personal resource, such as cards or tokens. These pieces typically allow players to manipulate the game or spend them for an advantage, meaning building your pool of resources is a primary part of the game. The best tableau building board games encourage strategy, as players balance their tableau against which actions to invest in to achieve victory. While the genre features games that span a breadth of themes and visual styles, they all place an emphasis on this resource management at the core of their design.
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The Top Tableau Building Board Games
Terraforming Mars
Set in the 2400s, Terraforming Mars imagines a future where corporations are competing to make the red planet hospitable for human life. Players take on the role of these corporations and must manage six types of resources while also purchasing cards that provide immediate bonuses. Once the three global parameters (temperature, ocean, and oxygen) have been reached, the corporation with the highest Terraform Rating is declared the winner.
Average Playtime: 120 minutes
Recommended Age: 12+
Number of Players: 1 – 5
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 3.26/5
Gaia Project
Gaia Project takes place in the stars, where fourteen different factions live across seven different planets. Players must develop and grow their faction while terraforming neighbouring planets, all while competing with rival factions throughout the galaxy. Along with the race to conquer planets, players can also develop their skills in six categories: Terraforming, Navigation, Artificial Intelligence, Gaiaforming, Economy, and Research, with each providing special bonuses.
Average Playtime: 60-150 minutes
Recommended Age: 12+
Number of Players: 1-4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 4.39/5
Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization
In Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization, players must manage their tableau as they attempt to elevate their chosen civilization to greatness. Discover new technologies, elect the right leaders, build wonders, and flex your military might to capitalise on your opponents’ weaknesses. Beginning in the age of antiquity and ending in the modern age, the victor is the nation who possesses the most culture once the game has run its course.
Average Playtime: 120 minutes
Recommended Age: 14+
Number of Players: 2 – 4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 4.44/5
Great Western Trail
Rather than being a gun-slinging outlaw, Great Western Trail casts players as ranchers in 19th Century America. As you herd cattle from Texas to Kansas City, you earn money and victory points based on the quality of your herd. One of the best tableau building board games for those that favour immersion, ranchers must study the land to devise the best path for their herd while managing resources to hire craftsmen, engineers, and even cowboys for protection.
Average Playtime: 75-150 minutes
Recommended Age: 12+
Number of Players: 2-4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 3.70/5
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The Castles of Burgundy
Set in the Burgundy region of High Medieval France, The Castles of Burgundy sees players taking on the role of an aristocrat. Initially in charge of a small princedom, players must place settlement tiles to build properties and powerful castles, while also practicing trade along the river, exploiting silver mines, and harnessing the knowledge of travellers. These settlement tiles also grant victory points, meaning strategy is required to cultivate a profitable and winning kingdom.
Average Playtime: 30-90 minutes
Recommended Age: 12+
Number of Players: 2 – 4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 2.99/5
Scythe
As the ashes of the first great war still fall, the people of 1920s Europa split into five factions who fight for control of the mysterious Factory. Taking control of these factions, players must conquer territory, enlist new recruits, reap resources, gain villagers, build structures, and activate the monstrous mechs that litter the land. With four different resources to manage and build, players are in control of their own fate as they seek to complete their hidden objective.
Average Playtime: 90-115 minutes
Recommended Age: 14+
Number of Players: 1 – 5
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 3.44/5
7 Wonders Duel
A spinoff of 7 Wonders, 7 Wonders Duel takes place over three ages as players acquire cards that either produce resources, advance their military, or increases scientific development. This in turn allows players to develop their civilisation while completing wonders. Duel separates itself from the base game by being strictly 1v1, adding an extra layer of strategy as you attempt to outwit and outmanoeuvre your opponent.
Average Playtime: 30 minutes
Recommended Age: 10+
Number of Players: 2
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 2.23/5
Spend Your Resources on Tableau Building Board Games Today!
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