Drafting is one of those mechanics that sneaks into all kinds of games—cards, tiles, dice, you name it. Whether you’re picking a card to pass the rest or choosing from a shared pool of juicy options, drafting brings a level of tension, strategy, and satisfaction that few mechanics can match. In this list, I’m highlighting ten drafting games that go beyond just card selection. Some are light and breezy, others crunchy and thinky—but all of them use drafting in clever ways to deliver exciting gameplay.
Let’s count down ten of the best drafting games out there today, ranked from great to greatest!
10. Kingdomino
In Kingdomino, drafting takes the form of selecting domino-like tiles that each show two terrain types. Players take turns choosing tiles from a shared market—though the better the tile you take, the later you’ll draft next round. Once drafted, tiles are placed into your personal 5×5 grid, following simple connection rules. The goal is to build large, contiguous areas of matching terrain types, ideally multiplying them with crown symbols to rack up points.
It’s a clever blend of tile drafting and spatial puzzling, with enough strategy to satisfy gamers but quick enough to stay family-friendly. For such a short game, it packs a surprising punch of tension and satisfaction.
9. Blood Rage
While Blood Rage is far from a pure drafting game, the draft is central to shaping your strategy each age. At the start of every round, players draft powerful cards—monsters, quests, upgrades, and battle tricks—that define how they’ll compete for glory on the Norse battlefield. The stakes are high, and reading the draft is key.
What makes Blood Rage stand out is how you can counter-draft and read your opponents’ picks, especially at lower player counts. Spot someone loading up on Loki cards in Age I? You might pivot to deny them the combo next round. That layer of strategic foresight turns a relatively small drafting phase into a battlefield all its own.
This is a game of epic clashes, but victory often begins with what you draft before a single axe is swung.
8. Sushi Go Party
Sushi Go Party! is pure drafting goodness—simple, quick, and endlessly charming. You pass around hands of adorable sushi cards, picking the ones that best fit your set collection strategy while keeping an eye on what your neighbors might be collecting.
It’s a great introduction to drafting, but there’s plenty of depth here too. The rotating menu of scoring cards keeps things fresh game after game, making this a go-to for both newcomers and experienced players. It scales well, plays fast, and has that perfect “let’s go again” energy.
If you’re looking for a light, accessible drafting game that still feels satisfying, this is the one to grab.
7. 7 Wonders
This is the game that put drafting on the map. Much like Pandemic did for co-op games, 7 Wonders made drafting feel modern, elegant, and widely accessible. It’s fast-paced, supports up to 7 players without bogging down, and uses neighbor interactions in a clever way—especially for military and trading.
Each card draft nudges you toward a different engine: science, military, commerce, or wonder-building. And while you’re only directly affected by the players next to you, that limited scope of interaction makes it perfect for larger groups.
7 Wonders is a modern classic, and its spin-offs—including Duel and the upcoming 7 Wonders Dice—continue to build on that legacy.
6. Arcana Rising
If 7 Wonders had a younger sibling that was more into engine building and spellcraft, it would be Arcana Rising. This one flew under the radar for many, but it deserves a spot on your shelf—especially if you like drafting games with a bit more oomph in how your choices evolve over time.
You’re drafting spells across different schools of magic, timing activations based on a rotating lunar disc. The more synergy you find between spells, the more satisfying your combos become. It’s compact, beautifully produced, and leans harder into tableau-building than some of its drafting cousins.
Discovered this one on a whim at Gen Con, and it’s quietly become a go-to favorite that hits the table more often than 7 Wonders these days.
5. Point Salad
Don’t let the lighthearted name fool you—Point Salad is a deceptively clever open-drafting game packed with tough decisions and strategic flexibility.
Each turn, you’re choosing between taking vegetable cards or flipping them over to claim scoring cards that create combos based on the types of veggies you collect. What makes it so dynamic is how quickly your strategy can pivot. You might be going all-in on onions, only to draft a scoring card that penalizes them—so you start flipping them into new salad options instead.
The open draft means you always know what’s out there—and if you’re feeling spiteful, hate-drafting is totally fair game. Quick to teach, endlessly replayable, and always crunchy in the best way.
4. Azul
Azul is abstract drafting with a razor-sharp edge—and I love it for that. You’re drafting colorful tiles from shared factories to complete patterns on your personal board, but this serene-looking game hides a deep undercurrent of spite.
Every turn, you’re faced with a delicious dilemma: take what helps you… or take what hurts your opponents. The hate drafting in Azul is real, and it adds so much tension, especially in the later rounds when someone’s just one tile away from a big score (or a big penalty).
There are several sequels and spin-offs, but the original Azul still stands tall as a clean, satisfying, and endlessly engaging drafting puzzle.
3. Planted
Planted takes the 7 Wonders-style drafting mechanic and elevates it into a cozy, strategic garden-building experience. Designed by Phil Walker-Harding, this game puts you in charge of cultivating plants using resources like water, sunlight, and plant food—all drafted from the table in a way that feels both relaxing and highly strategic.
The components are surprisingly high-quality for a mass-market game, and the theme fits beautifully with the mechanics. You’ll be choosing resources that help grow your plants and, ideally, create combos for scoring. Whether you’re feeding your succulents or nurturing your tropical plants, Planted offers a nice, laid-back drafting experience with lots of room for clever decisions.
2. Cascadia
Kingdomino laid the groundwork for area-puzzle games, but Cascadia takes that concept and elevates it to the next level. The puzzle element is still there, but with the added complexity of animal combos, various scoring options, and a deep level of replayability that keeps the game fresh every time. The inclusion of a mini-campaign in the rulebook adds even more depth, offering players different challenges to keep things exciting.
Whether you’re building sprawling forests or managing animal habitats, Cascadia is a visually stunning and highly rewarding drafting experience that constantly makes you feel like your decisions matter. The combination of puzzle mechanics and strategic draft choices makes it a perfect choice for anyone looking for a beautiful, engaging drafting game that will keep you coming back.
1. Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle-earth / 7 Wonders Duel
When it comes to drafting games, the Duel series takes the cake, and it’s no surprise why. 7 Wonders Duel has been a fan favorite for years, and now with the release of Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle-earth, this format gets a new level of excitement and narrative depth. Both games brilliantly capture the core drafting mechanics while offering a unique two-player experience that feels fresh and engaging each time.
In 7 Wonders Duel, you’re building your civilization, carefully managing resources, and keeping an eye on your opponent to avoid being outmaneuvered. Lord of the Rings Duel takes that same tense, strategic drafting and applies it to an iconic franchise, with added lore and a journey-style progression that makes it a must-play for fans of both drafting and Middle-earth.
These are the definitive drafting games for two players, combining everything that makes 7 Wonders Duel an all-time classic and elevating it with unique mechanics and storytelling. If you love competitive, tight, and thought-provoking games, this pair is at the top of the heap.
Buy 7 Wonders Duel on Amazon
Buy Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle-earth on Amazon
These Top 10 Drafting Games offer a range of experiences, from the simplicity of Kingdomino to the deep strategic elements of 7 Wonders Duel. Whether you’re drafting dominoes, plants, or civilizations, each game provides a unique spin on this beloved mechanic, offering fun for new players and seasoned gamers alike.
Honorable Mention: It’s a Wonderful World
A solid addition to any collection, It’s a Wonderful World combines drafting with engine-building in a beautifully themed package. It didn’t make the top 10, but it’s still an excellent pick for anyone looking to explore different drafting strategies!
Which of these drafting games is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below, and feel free to share any great drafting games I may have missed! Don’t forget to follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for more board game updates, reviews, and tips!
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Did your favorites make the list? Let me know what you’d add (or remove) in the comments!
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