What Are the Best 3 Player Board Games? My Top 5, Ranked

They say two is company and three is a crowd.

But “they” must not play a lot of board games.

It can be hard to find board games that play 2 or 3 players that don’t sacrifice fun or even complexity.

Read Also: What are the best 6 player board games? My top 6, ranked

While several games have a range on them, many of them simply play better with a higher player count. But, the games I mention below, at least in my opinion, play really well even if you only have three players for the evening.

Without further ado, check out some of the best board games for 3 players:

5. Red Dragon Inn

Red Dragon Inn will play 2-4 players with the starter pack..

And even though I’ve played massive games of Red Dragon Inn where there are upwards of 15 or more players (if you buy enough expansions), the game doesn’t sacrifice quality if you have fewer people.

I like to introduce Red Dragon Inn as a drinking game … even though it’s not.

Your characters will be drinking. The game is based in the world of Dungeons and Dragons, where our adventurers are relaxing at a tavern after a long day.

Each player has a deck where they will take turns gambling, fighting and drinking until the last man – or woman, or orc or ogre or whatever – standing wins.

There are several characters to choose from, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and several expansions are available.

A starter back for four players sells for $29.50 on Amazon.

• Players: 2-8
• For ages: 13 and up
• Estimated time: 15-20 mins (per player)

4. Villainous

Disney’s Villainous board game is a strategy game, where your favorite Disney villains each work toward their own sinister goals.

The game is straightforward. Each villain has their own win condition, which can be fun since each character is unique.

The original set comes with Captain Hook, Maleficent, Ursula, Prince John, Jafar and the Queen of Hearts.

The game can be played as a standalone or with the expansions in the villainous line, which include:

• Evil Comes Prepared: Ratigan, Scar and Yzma
• Wicked to the Core: Dr. Facilier, Evil Queen and Hades
• Perfectly Wretched: Mother Gothel, Pete and Cruelle de Vil

Of course, major bonus points here for the game’s nostalgia value.

Villainous (the original) currently sells for 33.09 on Amazon. Expansions range from $23-29.

• Players: 2-6
• For ages: 10 and up
• Estimated time: 50 mins

3. Terraforming Mars

As you might guess from the name, players build life on Mars in this board game.

Terraforming Mars is an engine builder, which means that players take turns while they try to fill their objectives and build on resources throughout the game.

Players start by assuming special roles. Some roles have special strengths over others, so it’s can be fun to try to choose your strategy from the beginning.

The game is engaging and fun, but there are a lot of moving pieces and the learning curve can be a bit steep at first. Still, this game remains popular with players who enjoy eurogames.

Terraforming Mars currently retails for about $68.99.

• Players: 1-5
• For ages: 12 and up
• Estimated time: 90-120 mins

2. Lovecraft Letter

Lovecraft Letter is a variant of the award-winning Love Letter game.

Love Letter is quick and easy to play. It can be a good starter game or something to play if you want to pass some time.

In the game, players draft cards at random and choose one of two cards to play. Each card has its own rule or action which much be carried out when played, even if it hurts the person who played it.

Players can be knocked out of the rounds quickly and easily, usually by having a low card.

It’s a game of risk, deduction and luck. Lovecraft Letter adds an extra element of insanity that makes the game a bit more challenging and a bit more unstable.

The game itself goes really quickly and is easy to learn and teach.

Lovecraft Letter is currently $14.96 on Amazon.

• Players: 2-6
• For ages: 14 and up
• Estimated time: 10 mins

1. Wingspan

Wingspan is one of my overall favorite games.

It’s an engine-builder, so most players are more or less doing their own thing.

It’s not aggressive by nature. Very few cards hurt other players, but there are several ways and strategies to earn points.

This makes the game very relaxing to play. Also, it’s beautifully designed. Each and every card is completely unique.

It’s a great game if you enjoy engine builders. There’s a slight learning curve, but it’s easy to learn once you get the hang of it.

Wingspan currently sells for about $59.94 on Amazon. Expansions are also available.

• Players:  1-5
• For ages: 14 and up
• Estimated time: 40-70 minutes

What are your favorite 3 player board games? Let me know in the comments below!