5 Games Like Dominion

Dominion is a 500-card deck-building game in which players select 10 of the 25 Kingdom card types to include in any given play, meaning it is jam-packed full of variety.

Each player is a Monarch and Ruler of small but beautiful evergreens and a kingdom of rivers. In Dominion, your goal is to expand and rejuvenate the land which is currently controlled by petty lords and verges on chaos and mayhem.

Players promise to introduce civilization to the inhabitants and unite them under new rule. Beginning the game with just a small deck of cards, players have the opportunity to buy more as they become more wealthy.

A game of troves and treasures, it is full of twists and turns, but let’s take a look at other similar games that might interest you. Let’s jump into the best 5 games like Dominion.

Games Like Dominion

1. Star Realms / Hero Realms
2. Trains
3. Rune Age
4. Century: Spice Road
5. Valley of the Kings

Star Realms/ Hero Realms

Players: 2-6
Playing time: 20 mins

Much like in Dominion, Star Realms and Hero Realms have sci-fi vs fantasy themes and the focus is on a big deck of cards. The deck-building element fused with trading cards ensures a quick-paced buzz.

The spaceship combat game sees players making use of trade in order to acquire new ships and bases, and using them to generate more trade or more combat to attack their opponents and their bases. The winner is one who reduces their opponent’s score to a successful zero.

Whilst acquiring cards by trade, you must place them in your discard pile, and they will be shuffled into your personal deck.

The fantasy theme of Hero Realms matches that of Dominion, and you’re sure to find the quick-fired pace of the game exhilarating.

Trains

Players: 2-4
Playing time: 45 mins

Another hot off-the-rails smasher, Trains is set in Japan and like Dominion, it is a card-based game specializing in construction and personal accomplishments. Different versions exist but with the same goal in mind.

The first concentrates on the Golden Age of trains between the 19th and 20th centuries and gives a nod to the birth of private railway companies. While the second version is set in the modern 21st century, surrounding players with sleek bullet trains and bulky freight trains.

The objective is to purchase cards and create a lucrative deck allowing you to place stations and lay railroads over the organized city of Japan. Players look to gain enough points from their rail businesses to ultimately be the highest flyers in the growing Asian market.

Rune Age 

Players: 2-4
Playing time: 20-60 mins

Much like Dominion, Rune Age is a deck-building competition, but this game is centered around four differing scenarios, which present alternate win conditions.

Set in the fantasy realm of Terrinorth, the objective is to develop players’ individual decks of cards, and complete actions instructed by the five cards players draw on each turn. Players have their own individual factions and Home Realms, and their decks are representative of their strengths and abilities.

Each of the four factions has its own set of four unit cards, but players can buy and add to their decks. There is a cooperative scenario, where players work in unison to attempt to succeed in a series of events before any player’s Home Realm is destroyed.

It’s a cool fantasy deck-building game with plenty of space for replayability, and like Dominion, gives you a chance to flex your tactical skills.

 Century: Spice Road

Players: 2-5
Playing time: 30-45 mins

Century is a series of standalone, mixable games, and Century: Spice Road is the first edition.  Each title is set in a different century between the 15th and the 17th and depicts these eras’ major trading systems and journeys.

The Century Series explores the history and development of spice trading throughout the years. In Spice Road, players are caravan leaders who travel along the famous silk road to deliver flavorful spices to all corners of the globe.

There are four actions that players must perform during each turn: Establish a trade route, by taking a Market card. Make a trade or harvest spices, by playing a card from hand. Fulfill a demand, by meeting a victory point card’s requirements and claiming it.

And finally, Rest by taking back into your hand all of the cards you’ve previously played. Similar to Dominion, there is a dash of deck-building that leads to a continuum of decision-making and strategic moves.

Valley of the Kings

Players: 2-4
Playing time: 45 mins

Continuing with the theme of historical fantasy games, Valley of the Kings doesn’t disappoint. In Dominion, the objective is to grow and develop the land, in a similar but opposing manner, this challenge sees players adopt the roles of Egyptian Nobles, preparing for death and burial.

Set in the time of Pharaohs, Valley of the Kings requires players to acquire cards laid out in the shape of a pyramid, with the intention of filling their tombs with food, amulets, and various treasures.

Points are awarded for cards you remove from your deck and stash in your tomb and the winner is the player who brings the most artifacts to their tomb.

We hope you enjoyed our list of the top 5 games like Dominion! Once you’ve collected all of the Provinces you can, it might be time to try something new.

Have you tried any of the games on this list? Did we miss any great games like Dominion? Drop a comment below and let us know what you think! We’d love to hear from you.