By: Blaze Aldrich | June 18th, 2025

11 Best 2 Player Board Games to Kickstart Your Collection

If you are just starting your board game collection or curious about what 2 player board games are out in the ether than you are in the right place! These games have a good combination of different mechanics, themes, and difficulty level where there is plenty to choose from. That's why the board games on this list make a great start to your board game collection. If I was you, I'd buy them all, that's because if I was you, I'm spending your money and not mine. Hahaha. These games are not listed in any particular order.

1. 7 Wonders Duel

Why It’s Great: A masterpiece of 2 player gaming, 7 Wonders Duel distills the civilization building epic of 7 Wonders into a tense, 30 minute duel. Players draft cards to build their tableau, balancing science, military, and civic strategies to outscore their opponent or achieve an instant victory. Its elegant mechanics and multiple paths to victory make it endlessly replayable.

Why Start Here: Easy to learn yet deep, it’s perfect for new and veteran gamers. The compact box and quick playtime make it a staple for any collection.

2. The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth

Why It’s Great: A thematic reimagining of 7 Wonders Duel, this game pits the Fellowship against Sauron’s forces. Players draft cards to build fortresses, control regions, or advance the One Ring’s quest. The area control map and ring tracker add fresh twists, while Vincent Dutrait’s gorgeous art immerses you in Tolkien’s world.

Why Start Here: If you love Lord of the Rings or 7 Wonders Duel, this is a must have. It’s accessible yet strategic, with a rich theme that elevates the experience.

3. Splendor Duel

Why It’s Great: A 2 player reworking of the gem collecting classic Splendor, Splendor Duel adds direct competition with a shared token board, new win conditions (points, crowns, or same color cards), and special powers. It’s fast, tactical, and satisfyingly cutthroat.

Why Start Here: Its simple rules and quick setup make it ideal for casual play, while the added depth keeps it engaging. Perfect for fans of engine building games.

4. Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game

Why It’s Great: This fast paced deckbuilder pits the Empire against the Rebels in a galactic showdown. Players buy iconic characters, ships, and bases to bolster their deck, balancing offense and resource management. The tug of war victory track keeps every game tense.

Why Start Here: Star Wars fans will love the thematic card play, and deckbuilding newcomers will appreciate its accessibility. It’s a great intro to the genre with high replayability.

5. Everdell Duo

Why It’s Great: A 2 player version of the beloved Everdell, Everdell Duo streamlines the woodland tableau building experience. Players gather resources, play critters and constructions, and compete for points in a charming, nature-themed world. Expect tight competition and adorable components.

Why Start Here: Its mix of worker placement and card synergy appeals to strategy lovers, while the enchanting art draws in casual players. A great way to experience Everdell at a lower player count.

6. Azul Duel

Why It’s Great: The latest in the Azul series, Azul Duel is a strictly 2 player tile drafting game with complex scoring and a dynamic board building mechanic. While the original Azul shines at two players, Azul Duel ramps up the strategy with new tile placement rules.

Why Start Here: If you love abstract games with beautiful components, this is a fantastic pick. It’s slightly more involved than Azul but rewards skillful play.

7. Lost Cities

Why It’s Great: A classic card game by Reiner Knizia, Lost Cities has players funding expeditions by playing numbered cards in ascending order. Push your luck to score big, but beware of overcommitting. Its simple rules hide surprising depth.

Why Start Here: Compact and portable, it’s perfect for travel or quick sessions. Ideal for couples or friends who want a light yet engaging game.

8. Memoir ’44

Why It’s Great: A accessible war game set during World War II, Memoir ’44 uses a card driven system to recreate historical battles. Players command troops, tanks, and artillery across modular boards, with dice adding tension to combat. Its scenarios ensure varied gameplay.

Why Start Here: History buffs and strategy gamers will love its thematic depth. It’s a great entry into war games without overwhelming complexity.

9. Star Wars: Unlimited

Why It’s Great: A trading card game (TCG) with a living card game feel, Star Wars: Unlimited offers deckbuilding and tactical duels in the Star Wars universe. Players construct decks from iconic characters and battle across ground and space arenas. Its vibrant art and streamlined rules make it a standout.

Why Start Here: Perfect for Star Wars fans and TCG enthusiasts, it’s less intimidating than older collectible games. Start with prebuilt decks for instant fun.

10. Quacks of Quedlinburg

Why It’s Great: While designed for 2–4 players, Quacks of Quedlinburg shines at two with its push your luck bag building. Players brew potions by drawing ingredient chips, risking “explosions” for big rewards. The 2 player variant tightens the race for points.

Why Start Here: Its chaotic fun and colorful components make it a crowd pleaser. Great for players who enjoy luck with strategic mitigation.

11. Joyride Duel

Why It’s Great: A fast paced, sci-fi racing game for two, Joyride: Duel has players drafting cards to speed through a dangerous course, sabotaging their opponent along the way. Its modular track and tight mechanics keep races thrilling.

Why Start Here: If you love direct competition and quick games, this is a fantastic pick. The compact box and unique theme make it a standout addition.

Bonus: Star Wars: Battle of Hoth (Release Date: October 2025)

Why It's Great: Battle of Hoth is a game of heroic and fast paced miniatures battles set on the ice planet and reenacting one of the most famous scenes of Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back.

Using the popular Command & Color game system, players choose Command Cards each turn to activate units and decide how to move and attack, across 17 scenarios.  

Why Start Here: If you love Star Wars and Memoir 44' board game already listed above, than you will absolutely enjoy this game! One of the most anticipated 2 player board games in 2025. Unfortunately this game doesnt come out later this year.

Why These Games?

These games were chosen for their accessibility, strategic depth, and replayability, making them ideal for building a 2-player collection. They span genres, card drafting (7 Wonders Duel), deckbuilding (Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game), war games (Memoir ’44), and abstract strategy (Azul Duel), ensuring there’s something for every taste. Most have compact boxes, quick playtimes, and themes that resonate with a wide audience, from Lord of the Rings to Star Wars.

Tips for Starting Your Collection

• Start Small: Pick 2–3 games with different mechanics (e.g., 7 Wonders Duel for card drafting, Lost Cities for push-your-luck, and Splendor Duel for engine-building).

• Consider Themes: If you love Star Wars, grab Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game or Star Wars: Unlimited. Tolkien fans? Go for Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth.

• Storage and Portability: Games like Lost Cities and Joyride: Duel are great for travel, while Memoir ’44 needs more table space.

• Learn Online: Try 7 Wonders Duel on Board Game Arena to test it before buying.