The world of board games is vast and varied, with no shortage of options for two-player games or even solo board games. However, when it comes to three players, you might be surprised to find that it's the perfect number for many games. A trio allows for dynamic gameplay that's more engaging than two-player games, yet maintains a brisk pace without the downtime often found in larger groups. It's the best of both worlds, combining the strategic depth of two-player games with the social interaction of four-player games.

TL;DR: The Best 3-Player Board Games

### Clank! Catacombs

0See it at Amazon### Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization

0See it at Amazon### Star Wars: Outer Rim

0See it at Amazon### Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

0See it at Amazon### Dune: Imperium - Uprising

0See it at Amazon### Wingspan

0See it at Amazon### Anachrony: Essential Edition

0See it at Amazon### Azul Board Game

0See it at Amazon### Cascadia

0See it at Walmart### Cthulhu: Death May Die

0See it at Amazon### Lords of Waterdeep

0See it at Amazon### Lost Ruins of Arnak

0See it at Walmart### Raiders of the North Sea

0See it at Amazon### Splendor

0See it at Amazon### Viticulture

0See it at AmazonThe challenge lies in selecting the right games for your group. That's where this list comes in, offering a curated selection of games that shine with three players. No need to worry if your fourth cancels; game night can still be a hit. And if everyone brings a date, check out our guide to the best 6-player games.

Contributions by Samantha Nelson and Charlie Theel.

Clank! Catacombs

### Clank! Catacombs

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 13+Players: 2-4Play Time: 45-90 minutesThe Clank! series offers thrilling dungeon-crawling experiences where you navigate a maze using a deck of cards that you build and expand as you play, adding strategic depth. The catch? Moving too quickly can attract unwanted attention from a sleeping dragon, introducing an element of tension with each move. Clank! Catacombs enhances this with a modular map, ensuring varied and exciting exploration. While all games in the series work well with three players, this number strikes the perfect balance, avoiding the head-to-head feel of two players and the longer playtime of four.

If you enjoy this style, don't miss our guide to the best dungeon-crawler board games.

Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization

### Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 2-4Play Time: 120 minutesThis unique civilization game eschews a traditional map, instead focusing on guiding your culture from the Bronze Age to the modern era. It combines classic resource management and population growth with a tense card drafting system, where you'll often overpay to secure vital upgrades before your rivals. The game's direct military engagements are quick and balanced, preventing any player from being ganged up on. With three players, Through the Ages maintains a perfect balance of strategy and interaction.

Star Wars: Outer Rim

### Star Wars: Outer Rim

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 120-180 minutesStep into the Star Wars universe with this game's unique crescent-shaped board and striking art. As a galactic ne'er-do-well, you'll trade, hunt, and smuggle your way through the rim, gaining skills and upgrading your ship. You might even encounter famous franchise characters during your quest for fame and infamy. With three players, the game offers the perfect amount of interaction for a rich, narrative-driven experience without overstaying its welcome.

For more Star Wars fun, explore our recommendations for the best Star Wars board games.

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

### Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30-120 minutesGloomhaven has taken the board gaming world by storm, and Jaws of the Lion is a more accessible entry point. This cooperative RPG-in-a-box has you navigating dungeons and battling enemies, each character equipped with a unique deck that defines their playstyle. You'll need to strategize and manage your hand to overcome challenges in this campaign game, which is especially rewarding with a small group of friends.

Gloomhaven tops our list of the best RPG board games.

Dune Imperium: Uprising

### Dune: Imperium - Uprising

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 13+Players: 1-6Play Time: 60-120 minutesFans of the Dune universe will love this game, which balances military might with political intrigue. You'll build a personal deck from a public market and place workers on the board to gather resources and forge alliances. The game's engine-building loop is both powerful and rewarding, and three players create the ideal level of competition and adaptability.

For more on the original game, check out our review of Dune Imperium.

Wingspan

### Wingspan

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 1-5Play Time: 40-70 minutesWingspan's nature-themed gameplay has players collecting an array of beautifully illustrated birds, each with unique abilities that enhance your sanctuary. The game's warm, inviting visuals are matched by its strategic depth, making it a favorite for repeated play. Three players create a healthy level of competition without slowing down the game's pace.

For more on this game and its dragon-themed spin-off, read our reviews of Wingspan and Wyrmspan.

Anachrony

### Anachrony: Essential Edition

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 2-4Play Time: 30 mins per playerPrepare for an asteroid's impact in Anachrony, where you'll deploy workers with unique abilities, including mech pilots, to gather resources. You can also use Time Rifts to borrow from the future, but remember to pay back or face time anomalies. With multiple paths to victory and different factions, Anachrony offers high replayability. For added complexity, consider the Future Imperfect and Fractures of Time expansions.

Azul

### Azul Board Game

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 2-4Play Time: 30-45 minsAzul is quick to learn and perfect for introducing new players to board gaming. You'll draft tiles to create a beautiful mosaic, scoring points for connected tiles and earning bonuses for complete rows, columns, or sets. The game's detailed pieces are a joy to play with, and you'll need to consider both your moves and your opponents' strategies. For more on Azul, including its various versions and expansions, check out our review.

Cascadia

### Cascadia

0See it at WalmartAge Range: 10+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30-45This family-friendly game challenges you to build a Pacific Northwest ecosystem. Each game is unique due to varying scoring goals, which reward points for animal token placement. You'll draft tiles representing different terrains and animals, aiming to create unbroken expanses and strategic animal patterns. The addition of pinecones adds an extra layer of strategy during drafting. For more details, see our Cascadia board game review.

Cthulhu: Death May Die

### Cthulhu: Death May Die

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 1-5Play Time: 90 minsIn this Lovecraftian horror game, the Elder Gods have already arrived, and your goal is to fight them off. With a high level of replayability due to various investigators and Elder Gods, Cthulhu: Death May Die is best enjoyed with three players, offering a good mix of character archetypes without extending playtime. Be cautious, though; losing a single investigator can end the game prematurely.

Lords of Waterdeep

### Lords of Waterdeep

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+Players: 2-5Play Time: 1-2 hrsLords of Waterdeep is an excellent introduction to worker placement games, especially for D&D enthusiasts who'll appreciate the Forgotten Realms references. As secret Lords, you'll recruit adventurers to complete quests, balancing immediate resource boosts with high-scoring opportunities. You can also build new locations to benefit yourself and earn rewards when rivals use them. For a more competitive experience or larger groups, consider the Scoundrels of Skullport expansion.

Lost Ruins of Arnak

### Lost Ruins of Arnak

0See it at WalmartAge Range: 12+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30 mins per playerLost Ruins of Arnak blends worker placement with deckbuilding as you explore a mysterious island. With numerous ways to score points, you'll need to strategize carefully, competing with others for the best rewards. Whether you focus on exploration, research, deck improvement, or recruiting assistants, the game's board adapts to the number of players, ensuring a balanced experience for three. A solo variant is available for practice or solo play.

Raiders of the North Sea

### Raiders of the North Sea

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 12+ Players: 2-4Play Time: 60-80 minsEmbrace your inner Viking in this worker placement game, where you'll assemble a crew and gather resources to raid settlements. Your crew members provide bonuses for specific targets and can become Valkyrie, earning points crucial for victory. You'll also need to convert plunder into offerings for the chieftain, keeping your favor a secret until the game's end. Choose your actions wisely, as the game can end quickly with players rushing to make offerings and launch deeper raids.

Splendor

### Splendor

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2-4Play Time: 30 minsSplendor is a quick and engaging game suitable for families. You'll compete to build a jewelry business by gathering gem tokens to purchase developments and attract nobles. Efficiency is key, as you'll need to anticipate your opponents' moves and plan long-term to secure high-value nobles. It's a game that's easy to learn but offers strategic depth for players of all ages.

Viticulture

### Viticulture

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 13+Players: 1-6Play Time: 45-90 minutesIn Viticulture, you'll transform an inherited Tuscan vineyard into a thriving enterprise. Over several seasons, you'll plant vines, build structures, and sell grapes in summer, then harvest and age wines in winter. You can develop more valuable wine varieties based on your grapes and cellar work, fulfilling orders to earn money for further improvements. Enjoy learning about wine production as you play, perhaps with a glass in hand.