SEED GAME#5361 BGG all-time

Arcana(2009)

★ 6.1 BGG2–4 playersWeight 2.06
Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingHand Management

Games like Arcana

Looking for games like Arcana? It's a strategy game with real decisions on every turn — built on asymmetric powers that make your side play unlike any other and building an engine card by card as the game unfolds. This page rounds up 12 of the closest alternatives, scored on mechanical overlap with the original (45%), complexity match (35%), and player-count fit (20%), then weighted by BoardGameGeek community ratings so every pick is one players genuinely rate. The strongest matches come first; the further down you go, the more a game trades exact overlap for a fresh take on the same core appeal.

How ISO scores this list:Mechanic overlap 45%·Complexity proximity 35%·Player-count fit 20%·BGG quality multiplier applied

12 recommendations · scored by ISO

Caesar & Cleopatra(1997)

★ 6.42 playersWeight 1.9
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceEnd Game BonusesHand Management

Dale of Merchants Collection(2019)

★ 7.82–4 players20 minWeight 2.3
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Deck, Bag, and Pool Building + 3 more

Deck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDice RollingHand Management

Warmachine: High Command – Faith & Fortune(2014)

★ 6.82–4 players45 minWeight 2.3
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceCampaign / Battle Card DrivenDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

Thalara: The Last Artifacts(2021)

★ 7.82–4 players20 minWeight 2.7
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 4 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingHand Management

Ex Libris(2017)

★ 7.11–4 players45 minWeight 2.5
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Hand Management + 2 more

Hand ManagementOpen DraftingSet Collection

Gearworks(2018)

★ 6.71–4 playersWeight 2.0
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceHand ManagementSet Collection

Ferox(2015)

★ 7.72 playersWeight 2.1
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDice Rolling

Warhammer Underworlds: Nightvault(2018)

★ 7.72 playersWeight 2.5
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Action PointsArea Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

Etherstone(2025)

★ 7.72–4 playersWeight 2.4
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Deck, Bag, and Pool Building + 2 more

Closed DraftingDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingHand Management

Century: Golem Edition(2017)

★ 7.62–5 players30 minWeight 1.7
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Deck, Bag, and Pool Building + 2 more

Action RetrievalAuction: DutchContracts

Dale of Merchants 3(2020)

★ 7.72–4 playersWeight 2.1
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Deck, Bag, and Pool Building + 2 more

Deck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDice RollingHand Management

Heart of Crown(2011)

★ 7.52–4 playersWeight 2.5
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Deck, Bag, and Pool Building + 2 more

Deck, Bag, and Pool BuildingHand ManagementOpen Drafting

As an Amazon Associate, ISO earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability vary; ISO never displays prices. Affiliate links are marked rel="sponsored" per FTC guidelines.

IS

Get picks tuned to your shelf

This list is built from community data. Sign in to ISO and log what you own — your personal feed factors in your complexity preferences, play history, and the games already on your shelf.

Get personalized recommendations →

Free · no credit card · 2-minute setup

More recommendation lists