The 20 Best Dice Board Games to play with your friends!

Dice games are much more than pure luck. Modern dice games combine strategy, decision-making, and a healthy dose of unpredictability to create thrilling and memorable sessions. They can be quick and easy to play, perfect for casual nights, or deep and strategic, challenging even seasoned players.

Below, you’ll find some of the best titles that prove rolling dice can be both tactical and incredibly fun!

Brew

- Number of players: 2–4

- Playtime: 45–90 minutes

- Recommended age: 10+

In Brew, players become forest guardians in a world thrown out of balance. Dice represent the seasons and the spirits under your control, and each roll creates new opportunities and strategic challenges. You’ll need to manage resources, tame creatures, and brew magical potions as you strive to restore harmony to nature.

The colorful artwork and clever combination of dice placement and area control make this a visually stunning and engaging game where every turn feels like a puzzle in efficiency.

The Castles of Burgundy

- Number of players: 2–4

- Playtime: 60–120 minutes

- Recommended age: 12+

A true eurogame classic, The Castles of Burgundy uses dice as the engine that drives the growth of your medieval estate. Each roll determines what actions or buildings you can perform, but the game offers several ways to mitigate luck through planning and smart play.

In every game, you’ll build farms, cities, and ships, always trying to maximize your points. It’s a strategic, elegant, and deeply satisfying experience that shows dice can serve strategy just as much as chance.

Circadians: First Light

- Number of players: 1–4

- Playtime: 60–120 minutes

- Recommended age: 12+

In this sci-fi adventure, players lead teams exploring an alien planet. Dice represent workers that must be assigned to various stations to gather resources, negotiate with alien species, and research new technologies.

Circadians: First Light offers strong tactical depth and multiple paths to victory, with meaningful decisions every round. The theme is immersive, and the use of dice as a workforce system is one of the most inventive mechanics in modern board gaming.

Coimbra

- Number of players: 2–4

- Playtime: 60–90 minutes

- Recommended age: 14+

Inspired by the historic Portuguese city, Coimbra is a refined eurogame that blends dice drafting with influence management. The color and value of each die determine both player order and the rewards gained during the game.

Every move requires careful planning to balance risk and reward. It’s interactive, elegant, and perfect for players who appreciate strategic depth with a touch of luck.

Dice Forge

- Number of players: 2–4

- Playtime: 45 minutes

- Recommended age: 10+

Innovative and visually striking, Dice Forge allows players to customize their dice by physically changing their faces throughout the game. Each roll grants resources that can be used to improve your dice and complete heroic challenges.

The progression system feels rewarding and provides a constant sense of advancement. It’s a light, fun, and highly replayable game that’s ideal for players looking for accessible yet engaging tactical decisions.

Dice Throne

- Number of players: 2–6

- Playtime: 30–60 minutes

- Recommended age: 10+

Imagine a tournament where heroes with unique powers face off using dice. Dice Throne brings that concept to life with fast-paced, exciting duels that feel like modern “battle Yahtzee.”

Each hero has a unique set of abilities and cards, ensuring every matchup feels distinct. The game blends luck, tactics, and light deck-building to deliver thrilling, action-packed sessions full of energy and laughter.

King of Tokyo

- Number of players: 2–6

- Playtime: 30 minutes

- Recommended age: 8+

One of the most popular dice games in the world, King of Tokyo throws giant monsters into a battle for dominance and glory. Players roll dice to attack, heal, and earn victory points while trying to stay alive.

Games are chaotic, hilarious, and packed with quick, exciting choices. It’s the perfect group game: easy to learn, endlessly replayable, and always full of “just one more roll” moments.

Khora: Rise of an Empire

- Number of players: 2–4

- Playtime: 75 minutes

- Recommended age: 14+

In Khora, players rule Greek city-states competing for prosperity and power. Dice determine your actions, but smart upgrades and planning let you bend luck to your will.

It’s a compact and elegant civilization eurogame with a perfect balance between strategy and randomness. Each round feels like an optimization challenge where every die roll can turn into a valuable opportunity.

Machi Koro

- Number of players: 2–4

- Playtime: 30–45 minutes

- Recommended age: 10+

In Machi Koro, you play as the mayor of a growing city. Each dice roll activates your buildings, generating income and bonuses that help you expand your urban empire.

Its charm lies in its simplicity and the race to optimize your city faster than your opponents. Light, accessible, and full of fun moments, it’s an excellent gateway game for anyone exploring the world of dice games.

Pandemic: The Cure

- Number of players: 2–5

- Playtime: 30 minutes

- Recommended age: 8+

The dice-based version of the famous Pandemic keeps all the tension of the original while offering a faster, more streamlined experience. Players roll dice to treat diseases, discover cures, and stop outbreaks across the globe.

Decisions must be quick and well-coordinated, as epidemics can spread unpredictably. Pandemic: The Cure is fast, cooperative, and packed with suspense, perfect for players who love teamwork and high-stakes dice rolling.

Pioneer Days

- Number of players: 2–4

- Playtime: 45–60 minutes

- Recommended age: 12+

In Pioneer Days, you lead a group of settlers journeying across the Old West in search of prosperity and survival. Dice form the core of the game, determining your weekly actions such as hiring helpers, mining gold, gathering resources, or acquiring wagons. Each choice also advances the wheel of fate, bringing you closer to potential disasters like droughts, bandit raids, or plagues.

Balancing risk and reward is key, and the constant sense of adventure makes every game memorable. It’s a dice game full of charm, blending luck, resource management, and storytelling seamlessly.

Quarriors!

- Number of players: 2–4

- Playtime: 30 minutes

- Recommended age: 10+

Quarriors! is a vibrant and chaotic game that fuses deck-building with custom dice rolling. Each player acts as a summoner seeking glory by casting creatures and spells through their dice.

As the game progresses, you acquire new dice that represent stronger monsters or more powerful magic. It’s fast, dynamic, and full of unpredictable moments.

Luck determines your options each round, but mastering how to make the most of your rolls is what sets you apart. A modern classic that captures the fun and frenzy of dice games.

Railroad Ink

- Number of players: 1–6

- Playtime: 30 minutes

- Recommended age: 8+

Railroad Ink is an elegant and addictive roll-and-write game. The dice show roads and railways, and players must draw them on their personal boards to build the most efficient network possible. The challenge lies in connecting exits and creating cohesive routes without getting tangled in chaos.

With quick rounds and growing tension, it’s a game that blends logic, creativity, and luck beautifully. The Red and Blue editions include expansions with meteors, rivers, and volcanoes, keeping the game fresh and engaging.

Rajas of the Ganges

- Number of players: 2–4

- Playtime: 60–90 minutes

- Recommended age: 12+

Set in the time of the Indian maharajas, Rajas of the Ganges has players using colorful dice to build, trade, and expand their provinces. Each die color serves a distinct purpose, and combining them effectively is the key to victory. Its dual scoring track—one for fame and one for wealth—is a brilliant innovation, as the point where they intersect determines the winner. The balance between luck and strategy is exceptional, and the gameplay flows smoothly from start to finish.

An elegant and vibrant eurogame where dice truly shine.

Roll for the Galaxy

- Number of players: 2–5

- Playtime: 45 minutes

- Recommended age: 14+

Roll for the Galaxy is one of the most strategic dice games ever designed. Each player manages a space empire, using dice as workers to explore planets, develop technologies, and produce resources. Actions are chosen secretly, revealed simultaneously, and resolved based on the dice results.

The game strikes a perfect balance between luck and planning, with tough decisions every round. The feeling of growth and expansion is deeply satisfying, and the clever use of dice ensures high replayability. A must-have for fans of deep strategy and meaningful decision-making.

Sagrada

- Number of players: 1–4

- Playtime: 30–45 minutes

- Recommended age: 10+

Sagrada is one of the most visually stunning and relaxing dice games ever created. Each player is a stained glass artist designing a window for the famous Sagrada Família Cathedral. The colorful dice act as glass pieces that must be placed according to color and number restrictions.

The result is a tactical and visual puzzle where every move counts. Simple to learn yet surprisingly deep, it becomes highly competitive as space runs out. A perfect choice for players who enjoy calm yet thoughtful gameplay with an eye-catching table presence.

Space Base

- Number of players: 2–5

- Playtime: 60 minutes

- Recommended age: 14+

In Space Base, you command an ever-growing intergalactic fleet. Each ship occupies a numbered slot, and dice rolls trigger effects on your turn and others’, keeping all players involved throughout the game.

It blends luck with long-term strategy, allowing you to build powerful point engines and exciting combos. With its slick pacing and spacefaring theme, Space Base is one of the most engaging and entertaining dice games you can play.

The Taverns of Tiefenthal

- Number of players: 2–4

- Playtime: 60 minutes

- Recommended age: 12+

In this cozy tavern game, each player runs their own pub, working to attract the best patrons and serve the finest beer. Dice represent your available actions, such as serving customers, hiring staff, buying barrels, and upgrading your tavern’s facilities.

As the game progresses, your tavern becomes more efficient and profitable. The Taverns of Tiefenthal is modular, letting you add layers of complexity at your own pace. It’s a warm, strategic, and fun experience that’s perfect for game nights with friends.

Trismegistus: The Ultimate Formula

- Number of players: 1–4

- Playtime: 90–120 minutes

- Recommended age: 14+

For players who enjoy deep, complex games, Trismegistus is a real treasure. Taking on the role of Renaissance alchemists, you’ll use special dice to gather essences, perform transmutations, and craft powerful artifacts. Each roll carries multiple meanings depending on the symbol, color, and number of matching dice.

It demands deep thought and long-term planning, rewarding players who think ahead. It’s challenging but highly rewarding, offering a rich and intricate experience for dedicated strategy enthusiasts.

Yspahan

- Number of players: 2–4

- Playtime: 60 minutes

- Recommended age: 10+

In Yspahan, players take on the roles of merchants in ancient Persia, competing for influence across the bustling bazaars. Each round, dice rolls determine the available actions, such as shipping goods, constructing buildings, or sending caravans. Luck plays a role, but the real challenge lies in using your opportunities wisely.

With vibrant art and smooth gameplay, it maintains a light pace while offering meaningful decisions. It’s an excellent gateway game for anyone discovering the joy of dice-based strategy.

Dice board games prove that luck and strategy can coexist in perfect harmony. Whether you’re building cities, fighting monsters, or managing civilizations, dice rolls are the heartbeat of excitement at the table.

These games show how a handful of dice can create moments filled with laughter, tension, and clever decision-making.

Which of these dice games is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!