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The 5 player count also ensures that more competitive games remain fierce and balanced, with no clear decisive sides forming due to the odd number of players. With so many games to choose from, here are some board games that shine for 5 players.

10 Ticket To Ride

The only gateway game on this list, Ticket To Ride has been a staple and entry point for many veteran hobbyists and casual gamers. It remains a timeless classic due to its simple rules, cutthroat mechanics, and relatively quick playtime.

The game has players compete to score points by building their train networks across the United States (the map can change depending on which expansion players have). However, the game is set up in such a way that players can easily cut off and block routes to deny opponents a swift victory. At 5 players, it becomes intense as players strategically place their railroads whilst denying their rivals at every turn.

9 Modern Art

Another relatively simple game, Modern Art is another timeless classic that has seen multiple reworks and reprints due to its popularity. It’s an economic game where players represent various museums and must handle being both the buyer and the seller, somehow making a profit along the way. Each game features the works of 5 artists, and the value of that artist’s work increases as more works of art are purchased throughout the game.

Players must then decide to either to sell that artist’s work or buy it themselves to hopefully earn more at the end of the round. Though the game is can be played by 3 or 4 players, the game thrives at the 5-player count as the game features an auction system. That means more people squabbling and shouting over each other to get the best deal. Absolute chaos, who doesn’t like that?

8 Century Spice Road

Similar to Modern Art, Century Spice Road is another economic game that is centered around spice traders along the Silk Road. Players must create specific spice combinations to satisfy different spice orders which score them points. But to do that, players must first acquire cards that allow them to get those particular spices themselves.

The game can become a very intricate engine builder as players get or play cards to get various spice combinations. At higher play counts, players will race against one another to finish spice orders first. However don’t worry, should players not be quick enough, there are always new orders to fill and more opportunities to score points.

7 Chinatown

Imagine Scrabble combined with Monopoly, that’s sort of what Chinatown is like. Players take on the role of various business owners in 1960s New York Chinatown and are competing to become the biggest business tycoon within the area. Players will receive tiles that denote sections of the city block and then place down tiles that represent businesses onto the map itself.

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However, players will score points and gain more money by having adjacent tiles added on to these businesses. The only way to do that is to trade, barter, and make counteroffers to generate more money and ensure success. Negotiation is key to winning in this game, and at 5 players, that’s where the real fun begins.

6 Ethnos

Quick, easy to learn, and insanely addictive, Ethnos is a card drafting game that also has elements of area control where players must acquire bands of mercenaries to control the various regions of the fantasy land of Ethnos. Players will draw cards and add different mercenaries (of various fantasy races) to their hands but mercenaries will only work together if they’re of the same race or from the region.

Players must decide on whether to increase their presence in the various regions of Ethnos or acquire more cards to play bigger bands of mercenaries (2 conflicting strategies). However, they must be quick to decide before the 3 black dragons come out of the deck!

5 Kemet

At the sacred number 5, Kemet plays similarly to Risk but with a key difference, the game replaces dice with a card system and encourages players to attack one another! Set on the sands of Egypt, players must choose a faction and lead it to victory by fighting battles and controlling various strategic locations on the map (temples).

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The game also features a technology tree that will allow players to acquire more powerful units, defensive capabilities, or spiritual abilities to boost their faction and tip the scale of battle in their favor. This game was designed and is meant to be played with 5 players, as players deploy their troops and constantly fight to control the shifting sands of Egypt.

4 El Grande

Another area control war game similar to Kemet and Risk but set in Renaissance Spain, El Grande has players assume control of Spanish warlords vying for control of a Spain in political chaos. Players will raise Cabelleros (Spanish knights) to seize control of as many regions across Spain as possible (there are 9) but they must be aware of the King’s pawn (as nothing can move in or out of that region with the pawn).

A deeply strategic and Machiavellian war game, El Grande delivers a satisfying experience with 5 players seeking to destroy one another both on and off the battlefield.

3 Pax Pamir 2nd Edition

Speaking of Machiavellian, Pax Pamir 2nd Edition takes the fight away from 14th century Spain and into 19th century Afghanistan. As the former empire is plunged into chaos, British, Russian, and Afghan political remnants struggle to assert their dominance over a fractured land. Meanwhile, players assume the role of minor Afghan chiefs, aligning with one of the great powers in order to compete to become the next most powerful and influential chieftain.

Playable actions include fighting to control provinces of Afghanistan, taxing rival players, and deploying spies to hold enemy characters hostage (assassinating them too). Players may also switch their allegiances at the right moments to seize an opportune moment for victory. A perfect game for gamers who enjoy tactical flexibility and going for the jugular.

2 Scythe

Post-WW1 but with mechs. In Scythe, players represent powers from an alternative 1920s Europe (known as Europa) who must acquire the lands around an important region. Players will cement their claim over territories, enlist soldiers, gain resources and villagers, as well as activate gigantic mechs.

It’s more accurate to say that Scythe is a “cold war” game, as fighting has bad repercussions on players who engage in prolonged combat (locals don’t like war). Players must engage in engine building and choose their fights carefully to become the dominant power within the region.

1 Nemesis

Inspired by the famous sci-fi tropes and films, Nemesis is a semi-coop game that has players wake up from cryosleep on a derelict spaceship (called the Nemesis). However, they can’t remember what the ship layout was like and something is lurking in the vents.

Players will work together to complete personal objectives in an increasingly hostile and dangerous environment. Players will move around the ship but every movement generates noise which will alert intruders to their presence. However, each objective is kept secret from other players, which can mean that Steve’s objective might be to get everyone safely back to Earth or it could mean Steve belongs to a strange cult that wants to see the intruders murder everyone on board. The game is already difficult, to begin with. At 5 players, it’s total carnage and a beautiful (and stressful) experience.

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