The theme and artwork for Dominion is certainly nothing exceptional, but the game’s flow and its ability to teach less experienced players makes up for it. However, having control over their current land and its people isn’t quite enough for the players, with their ambition reaching for an even larger kingdom with greater wealth. In Dominion, players become the monarchs of their very own medieval kingdoms.

The original deckbuilder, Dominion still serves as a brilliant introduction to deckbuilding. Let’s start with an absolute classic of the genre.

| Image credit: Temple Gates Games/Rio Grande Games Dominion A fantastic starting point for anyone interested in getting into deckbuilding games The digital version of Dominion is a faithful translation of the original. Whether you’re looking for the next two-player card game to try with your friend or partner, or want to get lost in an epic world of danger and adventure, this list of the best deckbuilding games is sure to satisfy any and all desires. While deckbuilding games can be a lot more forgiving on newbies than trading card games, there are still plenty that present players with quite the challenge. The deckbuilding games on this list range from being fairly beginner-friendly - teaching you the basics of the genre, with maybe a little extra on top - to offering more robust experiences that will test both your brains and bravado.

This has meant that deckbuilding games have gradually become more innovative over the years, providing players with a wide variety of experiences - including different themes and motifs, from standard fantasy settings, like the one featured in Dominion, to adventure stories inspired by classic 1950s and ‘80s adventure movies. There are many unique and complex deckbuilding games out there, thanks to the fact that the mechanic integrates so well with other elements. Whilst you’re trying to figure out what cards are going to produce the best combos, so is everyone else, meaning that there’s a greater feeling of being on equal footing.ĭeckbuilding games often combine multiple mechanics into a single game, mixing in things such as area control, push-your-luck and tactical combat. Instead of having to research and construct decks in your own time, deckbuilders provide a similar experience within the very game itself. Finding the time and knowledge to craft decks for trading card games such as Magic: The Gathering can be a little too much for players, which is why deckbuilding games are so brilliant.

Adult trading card game