I usually will play solo. Star Realms Frontiers is a top deck builder for myself. It has approximately 8 solo/cooperative scenarios that play differently. 4 scenarios will pull a faction out of the deck to be the opponent, and they are different from each other. The other scenarios will use the full deck between both automa and players.
Friday didn’t make the list! 😱 it’s an amazing solo deck building game. But I loved your description of Lost Ruins of Arnak, I keep hearing good things about it and must add it to my wish list 😊
One of my favorite not on your list is paperback! It’s so good! Your deck consists of letters and you are trying to make the best word you can each turn. Highly recommend
Lost Ruins of Arnak is one of my favorite games at the moment, one other deckbuilding game I played was the Star Wars Deckbuilding game.. it is really a fun 1x1 quick game
Two games I enjoy that have DB as a primary mechanism are Fort and Paperback. Thanks for the recommendations. I have not yet played any of your top 10.
Rewatched this because I sent to my friend who's getting into the hobby. Board Game 101 is so great! Dune: Imperium, Lacrimosa, and Road to El Dorado are all v high on my list to try soon.
This list is so similar to my own…love it. El Dorado, Obsession, Ruins of Arnak and Seize the Bean are all some of my favourites. Totally agree that more people need to get a chance to try Seize the Bean, it’s so good and the amount of different customer group combinations available leaves so much more still to explore. I’d probably also add Hardback personally because I love its word game meets Star Realms deck building
I don’t know that I would call a lot of these deck building games…just games that might have a small deck building element. Another genre of deck building games not mentioned here are games that involve deck deconstruction (sometimes called Deck Shedding) like Abandon all Artichokes. Hands down, my favourite intro deck building game is Summer Camp. It’s light, quick, and super thematic. Perfect intro for families with kids too!
Appreciate this video, still learning about mechanics and new to the hobby. We have Taverns of Tiefenthal and Arnak on our shelf of opportunity to learn and play this next month!
Lost Ruins is also in my top 3. The theme really calls to me, likely because I grew up with Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider long before I watched anything space themed. I'm also really loving multi-use cards in games recently.
Thanks for the list and talking about the games. Lots of good recommendations. I am gonna try digital implementation of Concordia. It seems like it's my type of a game.
Taverns of Tief seems cozy because of the art! It’s got that Denny L art. The Mico is a scrub when you bring in the ‘sen. Denny L’s Art just had that cozy warm feeling that can only be compared to the first morning’s sunlight shining on your face.
I saw you at ragnarok this weekend, you where playing a game so i didn't want to bother you but it was exciting to see you as i'm a fan of the board game garden channel
Love your videos!! Maybe as an idea for a video at some point: if you go on holiday and can take one suitcase with games, what would you take with you (how many would fit and would you take more holiday themes games or small games etc) Anyway just an idea. Keep up the great work! 😊
That’s a game mechanism I love. You picked two games that are in my top 5, Dune Imperium and Concordia. Will play them anytime. For pure deck builders, my favorites are Dominion and Valley of Kings. With Dominion, the secret is to pick an expansion which you like the theme. Mine are seaside and alchemy. The other nice thing about deck builders is they generally play well at most player counts. 😊
Tyrants of the Underground is such a good game and it is very much overlooked for ne reason really. It is just like clank but instead of exploring you are trying to control cities underground in a wargame like fashion. It is awsome and you can change around the deck that the shop is made from so it's allways different cards and combination of cards that are in the game
Another deckbuilding I could suggest to try is Warmachine and Hordes High Command. Each player has a different faction and their own market. Only thing common and to be contested is the Location Cards.
Funny .. as I would not consider many of these games to be DB -but i'm all too new to this. My entry gate was Star Realms ( would recommend StarWars DeckbuildingGame (2023) if you are a fan of the franchise ) - then got hooked badly on Race for th Galaxy. Ended up playing mostly Ascension on my tablet... so I guess that would be my number 1. Race for the galaxy did really hit something special to move me forward in love with such games though. But cannot deny the Ascension is the best package overall.
I haven't played any of these yet. I do have Arnak, but it has so many components! It's very intimidating! I once laid it out on the table for like a week to force myself to play it but I never did. Hopefully soon. lol... I love the artwork from Lacrimosa though. I really want to try that one out!
Amazing selection. I didn't know the difference between Deck Building & Deck Construction. I would love to watch a 101 about Variable Player Powers mechanism
Nice List, I share a lot of your interests. My number one is Dune, so you should play it more and together with the rise of Ixalan expansion! I also recommend Aeons End and Clank Legacy! And still to this day I enjoy the daddy of them all - Dominion!
btw i keep hearing the new Expansion for Dune Imperium ( not the iX - the other one .. Immortality ?) - brings the game back on the side of deckbuilding, as it brings ton of new cards
Great video. I'd like to see one shot engine/ tableau building where you need to buy things to give you advantages and resources so you can buy more things.
Some great choices! Legendary and Star Realms are two that got me into the hobby. I think I like Hero Realms a little more. Moonrakers is a great recent one too. It’s a fun twist on the genre.
I love Arnak and Clank. I've only played Dune a few times. Once at 2 player and unfortunately my sister didn't like it. The other 2 times were solo. I don't really like the solo mode. I enjoyed it when I played it with my sister.
Good list, but Concordia is not actually a deck building because there isn't a deck that you draw cards from... there's only your hand and the discard pile.
You have some of the chillest content I have seen, smooth jazz and all. How do you feel about bidding games? Thinking Nidavellir, Keyflower etc. I find people love or hate them and there is not often much middle ground.
After playing quadrillion deckuilders, I have come to the conclusion that the two most comprehensive ones are "Shards of Infinity" and "Ascension". Play either of them and you have seen everything that deckbuilders have to offer.
I definitely lean towards games that have huge variability, so Dominion holds a very special place for me. I really want to try Obsession and Seize the Bean thanks to your recommendations.
Great video. I haven't played Concordia but I am looking to get it and the solo mode. I would place Obsession in #2 slot. It plays really well in solo. Lost Ruins of Arnak, but with the Expedition Leaders expansion would be my #1.
Not sure I would consider Lost Ruins of Arnak a deck builder. It’s more of a worker placement that uses some deck building. But, that’s just my perspective. Great video!
If you lean towards the occasional sci-fi then Tortuga might also tickle your fancy. With respect to games like Clank, Dune Imperium, Arnak and some others that didn't make your list (such as Star Realms) the key feature they all have which they didn't inherit from Dominion is the randomisation of what is in the market. Or as I like to call it the "I can only buy junk in my turn and then at the end of the turn I flip over something amazing and the next player practically wets themselves". People tell me "oh, well that's simple, just don't buy anything if there's nothing good to buy" - which boils down to effectively wasting a whole turn in a game that might only go ten turns. If the only winning move is not to play, then let's just play something else.
I really enjoy playing Dune Imperium, strategies are multiple : betting on the houses, or gaining points in the conflicts zone....It's very satisfying! Hence I read the books, which makes it better (even if the game is more linked to the movies. There are many characters in the game that I don't recognize, but it's pleasant to meet Harkonnen, The Fremen, Duncan Idaho again, who is, BTW, the real Dune hero, and so on) BTW, that's true! The Taverns of Tiefenthal is a funny game. I almost forgot it! I should play it more often, it's been on my shelves for a long time! The material is beautiful, too. I play it solo, thanks to an unofficial solo version made by a Quebec YT creator (only in French) I don't know Viscounts, Lacrimosa, The quest of El Dorado, Clank, Obsession, Concordia ... Many are too complicated for me. And no, I didn't try Arnak! One of my favourite deck building game is Aeon's End (a cooperative one). You can pull off some very cool combos (I like that!) when you buy the right cards, get rid of weaker cards ; the tension is very high; the turn order is variable (you draw a card to know if one of your heroes plays or if it's the adversary's turn). If you have bad luck, The Nemesis (=the adversary) can play two turns in a row... and it's terrible! Aeon's End is a must-have for deck building lovers! Hero Realms or Star Realms are said to be very good as well. Now I'm going to read "Earth" rulebook (not a deck but an engine building!). We received the game today in France. I'm very excited! Thanks for the video Jenna! (PS: I've got long hair too, I know what it is, they get caught everywhere!)
Excellent list! My favorite deck builder, Stonewall Uprising, came out last year. It is about the LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Movement and plays in 30 minutes. I also finally got Obsession to the table over the weekend. I almost won except an American heiress brought too much scandal to my English home.
**Spoilers** 10. Dune Imperium 9. Viscounts of the West Kingdom 8. Lacrimosa 7. Taverns of Tiefenthal 6. The Quest for El Dorado 5. Clank! 4. Obsession 3. Seize the Bean 2. Concordia 1. Lost Ruins of Arnak
You have a very personal (weird?) definition of deck building games...anyway there shouldn't be any top X db games without Dominion, the game after which every db game is built upon...😊
I usually will play solo. Star Realms Frontiers is a top deck builder for myself. It has approximately 8 solo/cooperative scenarios that play differently. 4 scenarios will pull a faction out of the deck to be the opponent, and they are different from each other. The other scenarios will use the full deck between both automa and players.
I love Star Realms, but I have not tried the solo mode. Will do soon, thanks for reminding me!
I never knew there was a solo mode for Star Realms. I must give it try.
Friday didn’t make the list! 😱 it’s an amazing solo deck building game. But I loved your description of Lost Ruins of Arnak, I keep hearing good things about it and must add it to my wish list 😊
One of my favorite not on your list is paperback! It’s so good! Your deck consists of letters and you are trying to make the best word you can each turn. Highly recommend
Lost Ruins of Arnak is one of my favorite games at the moment, one other deckbuilding game I played was the Star Wars Deckbuilding game.. it is really a fun 1x1 quick game
Two games I enjoy that have DB as a primary mechanism are Fort and Paperback. Thanks for the recommendations. I have not yet played any of your top 10.
Yes, Fort is amazing!
If you haven't, you should definitely play Aeon's End, a top tier deckbuilding game. One might even say it's the best. 🙃
A cute recommendation - Dale of Merchants
Great list, Jenna! Deck building is one of my favourite mechanics! Can highly recommend The Hunger. It has a great theme as well, vampires! 😁
Rewatched this because I sent to my friend who's getting into the hobby. Board Game 101 is so great! Dune: Imperium, Lacrimosa, and Road to El Dorado are all v high on my list to try soon.
This list is so similar to my own…love it. El Dorado, Obsession, Ruins of Arnak and Seize the Bean are all some of my favourites. Totally agree that more people need to get a chance to try Seize the Bean, it’s so good and the amount of different customer group combinations available leaves so much more still to explore. I’d probably also add Hardback personally because I love its word game meets Star Realms deck building
I don’t know that I would call a lot of these deck building games…just games that might have a small deck building element. Another genre of deck building games not mentioned here are games that involve deck deconstruction (sometimes called Deck Shedding) like Abandon all Artichokes. Hands down, my favourite intro deck building game is Summer Camp. It’s light, quick, and super thematic. Perfect intro for families with kids too!
Great list, I love that you have some lesser known titles on there as well!
Appreciate this video, still learning about mechanics and new to the hobby. We have Taverns of Tiefenthal and Arnak on our shelf of opportunity to learn and play this next month!
Lost Ruins is also in my top 3. The theme really calls to me, likely because I grew up with Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider long before I watched anything space themed. I'm also really loving multi-use cards in games recently.
Naga Raja has really streamlined multi-use cards, and kind of a similar theme so I figured I’d throw it out there
Thanks for the list and talking about the games. Lots of good recommendations. I am gonna try digital implementation of Concordia. It seems like it's my type of a game.
Taverns of Tief seems cozy because of the art! It’s got that Denny L art. The Mico is a scrub when you bring in the ‘sen. Denny L’s Art just had that cozy warm feeling that can only be compared to the first morning’s sunlight shining on your face.
I saw you at ragnarok this weekend, you where playing a game so i didn't want to bother you but it was exciting to see you as i'm a fan of the board game garden channel
Fantastic video. My favourite deck builders are Ascension and Star Realms.
Love your videos!! Maybe as an idea for a video at some point: if you go on holiday and can take one suitcase with games, what would you take with you (how many would fit and would you take more holiday themes games or small games etc) Anyway just an idea. Keep up the great work! 😊
That’s a game mechanism I love. You picked two games that are in my top 5, Dune Imperium and Concordia. Will play them anytime.
For pure deck builders, my favorites are Dominion and Valley of Kings. With Dominion, the secret is to pick an expansion which you like the theme. Mine are seaside and alchemy.
The other nice thing about deck builders is they generally play well at most player counts. 😊
Tyrants of the Underground is such a good game and it is very much overlooked for ne reason really. It is just like clank but instead of exploring you are trying to control cities underground in a wargame like fashion. It is awsome and you can change around the deck that the shop is made from so it's allways different cards and combination of cards that are in the game
Another deckbuilding I could suggest to try is Warmachine and Hordes High Command. Each player has a different faction and their own market. Only thing common and to be contested is the Location Cards.
Funny .. as I would not consider many of these games to be DB -but i'm all too new to this. My entry gate was Star Realms ( would recommend StarWars DeckbuildingGame (2023) if you are a fan of the franchise ) - then got hooked badly on Race for th Galaxy. Ended up playing mostly Ascension on my tablet... so I guess that would be my number 1. Race for the galaxy did really hit something special to move me forward in love with such games though. But cannot deny the Ascension is the best package overall.
I agree. Mechanically speaking, it's either "Ascension" or "Shards of Infinity" for me. And there is no point in playing anything else.
The video game Slay the a Spire is a very fun deckbuilder. They released a board game version recently.
Slay the spire is amazing! Have you tried the physical version? Been hesitant as the digital version feels perfect.
@@R2akaThuNDaChiCkeN I haven't, i woukd like to. I'm of the same mind. I feel like I already have it, so it's hard to justify the purchase.
Love me some good deck building games for sure! Little surprised I didn't see Splendor in this list 😉.
I haven't played any of these yet. I do have Arnak, but it has so many components! It's very intimidating! I once laid it out on the table for like a week to force myself to play it but I never did. Hopefully soon. lol... I love the artwork from Lacrimosa though. I really want to try that one out!
I’ve been going through these online lists for inspiration and it seems like you have a very unique list!
Will definitely try Seize the Bean!
LOVE LOST RUINS!!!!!! overtook my fav game which was lords or waterdeep. Great video
With you speaking so highly of Arnak and Dune imperium you should try Endless Winter. The Hunger is also quite good.
Amazing selection. I didn't know the difference between Deck Building & Deck Construction. I would love to watch a 101 about Variable Player Powers mechanism
Nice List, I share a lot of your interests. My number one is Dune, so you should play it more and together with the rise of Ixalan expansion! I also recommend Aeons End and Clank Legacy! And still to this day I enjoy the daddy of them all - Dominion!
btw i keep hearing the new Expansion for Dune Imperium ( not the iX - the other one .. Immortality ?) - brings the game back on the side of deckbuilding, as it brings ton of new cards
Great video. I'd like to see one shot engine/ tableau building where you need to buy things to give you advantages and resources so you can buy more things.
We have really enjoyed Legendary Encounters Alien and Firefly. Lost Ruins of Arnak has been played but does not hit the table as often.
I only play The Quest For El Dorado 2 player, so I painted the red and blue meeples to look like Miguel and Tulio 😎
That's rad
Have you tried Mage Knight? It is a heavier game, but there is so many awesome mechanics! ❤
Some great choices! Legendary and Star Realms are two that got me into the hobby. I think I like Hero Realms a little more. Moonrakers is a great recent one too. It’s a fun twist on the genre.
Love the lights - how fun! 💚☺
Love Deck building and Dominion still my Favorite
I love Arnak and Clank. I've only played Dune a few times. Once at 2 player and unfortunately my sister didn't like it. The other 2 times were solo. I don't really like the solo mode. I enjoyed it when I played it with my sister.
Great list.
As a Deckbuilder I really love the Legendary
Games. Marvel, Alien..... They are so good.😊 Have you played them?
Good list, but Concordia is not actually a deck building because there isn't a deck that you draw cards from... there's only your hand and the discard pile.
You have some of the chillest content I have seen, smooth jazz and all. How do you feel about bidding games? Thinking Nidavellir, Keyflower etc. I find people love or hate them and there is not often much middle ground.
Thanks Jenna. How about "Dice Placement"?
After playing quadrillion deckuilders, I have come to the conclusion that the two most comprehensive ones are "Shards of Infinity" and "Ascension". Play either of them and you have seen everything that deckbuilders have to offer.
Nice list, a couple I have couple I want.
I definitely lean towards games that have huge variability, so Dominion holds a very special place for me.
I really want to try Obsession and Seize the Bean thanks to your recommendations.
Great video. I haven't played Concordia but I am looking to get it and the solo mode.
I would place Obsession in #2 slot. It plays really well in solo.
Lost Ruins of Arnak, but with the Expedition Leaders expansion would be my #1.
Heh.. I just ordered Clank! Catacombs, never played any Clank game but it looks so damn fun, can't wait :)
Not sure I would consider Lost Ruins of Arnak a deck builder. It’s more of a worker placement that uses some deck building. But, that’s just my perspective. Great video!
i love this channel. it is...fantastic...
So happy to see Seize the Bean on your list. It is such a fantastic game!
If you lean towards the occasional sci-fi then Tortuga might also tickle your fancy.
With respect to games like Clank, Dune Imperium, Arnak and some others that didn't make your list (such as Star Realms) the key feature they all have which they didn't inherit from Dominion is the randomisation of what is in the market. Or as I like to call it the "I can only buy junk in my turn and then at the end of the turn I flip over something amazing and the next player practically wets themselves".
People tell me "oh, well that's simple, just don't buy anything if there's nothing good to buy" - which boils down to effectively wasting a whole turn in a game that might only go ten turns. If the only winning move is not to play, then let's just play something else.
I really enjoy playing Dune Imperium, strategies are multiple : betting on the houses, or gaining points in the conflicts zone....It's very satisfying!
Hence I read the books, which makes it better (even if the game is more linked to the movies. There are many characters in the game that I don't recognize, but it's pleasant to meet Harkonnen, The Fremen, Duncan Idaho again, who is, BTW, the real Dune hero, and so on)
BTW, that's true! The Taverns of Tiefenthal is a funny game. I almost forgot it! I should play it more often, it's been on my shelves for a long time! The material is beautiful, too. I play it solo, thanks to an unofficial solo version made by a Quebec YT creator (only in French)
I don't know Viscounts, Lacrimosa, The quest of El Dorado, Clank, Obsession, Concordia ... Many are too complicated for me.
And no, I didn't try Arnak!
One of my favourite deck building game is Aeon's End (a cooperative one).
You can pull off some very cool combos (I like that!) when you buy the right cards, get rid of weaker cards ; the tension is very high; the turn order is variable (you draw a card to know if one of your heroes plays or if it's the adversary's turn). If you have bad luck, The Nemesis (=the adversary) can play two turns in a row... and it's terrible!
Aeon's End is a must-have for deck building lovers!
Hero Realms or Star Realms are said to be very good as well.
Now I'm going to read "Earth" rulebook (not a deck but an engine building!). We received the game today in France. I'm very excited!
Thanks for the video Jenna!
(PS: I've got long hair too, I know what it is, they get caught everywhere!)
Green. Good choice.
Have you tried Fort yet?
Great list!!
My group likes hidden movement games! A top ten of that would be great
Excellent list! My favorite deck builder, Stonewall Uprising, came out last year. It is about the LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Movement and plays in 30 minutes.
I also finally got Obsession to the table over the weekend. I almost won except an American heiress brought too much scandal to my English home.
Dune Imperium?? Marvel Champions? Arkham Horror? Dominion?
How do you have Above and Below and Near and Far but not Now or Never?
Do a list of real time games :)
Which has longer play time for you, Clank or Lost Ruins? Which do you enjoy more with others?
Worker placement!😅
Try the new Clank, catacombs... is awesome!!!
no Marvel Legendary? : ( it's my fave haha
**Spoilers**
10. Dune Imperium
9. Viscounts of the West Kingdom
8. Lacrimosa
7. Taverns of Tiefenthal
6. The Quest for El Dorado
5. Clank!
4. Obsession
3. Seize the Bean
2. Concordia
1. Lost Ruins of Arnak
No Ascension???!!
You have a very personal (weird?) definition of deck building games...anyway there shouldn't be any top X db games without Dominion, the game after which every db game is built upon...😊
Every one of these list is very personal, so I really have no problem with game XYZ not being on some list.
Hi friend!
Arnak above Dune :O I guess Dune has less deckbuilding elements.
Action selection
Dominion is basic?! I don't think so . . .
helpful YT-$-comment
If you haven’t tried Clank! Catacombs yet, I strongly recommend it. It is, um… fantastic.