15 Board Games with Strange Rules That Gather Loyal Fans

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Fluxx

Fluxx is a card game with constantly changing rules. The game starts with simple rules, but as players draw cards and play them, the rules evolve. This unpredictability is what keeps players coming back for more, as they never know how the game will play out. The goal of the game changes with each turn, making strategy nearly impossible.

Players must be ready to adapt to whatever new rule is introduced, from changing the number of cards they draw to altering how they can win the game. Fluxx has a loyal fan base because of its chaotic nature and the endless variety of expansions available. The game’s flexibility and adaptability make it an unpredictable and fun experience. Current market value for Fluxx is approximately $20.

The Game of Life

The Game of Life may seem straightforward at first glance, but it has some strange rules that keep players hooked. The game simulates a person’s journey from college to retirement, with players making choices along the way, such as choosing a career or starting a family. However, the rules often seem to favor luck over strategy, and the decisions made by players can sometimes lead to bizarre outcomes.

For instance, the spin of a wheel can determine if a player experiences good fortune or misfortune, which can completely change the course of their life in the game. The bizarre nature of the rules, combined with the game’s social commentary on life’s unexpected twists, has earned it a dedicated fan base. Some consider it a nostalgic experience, while others find the randomness intriguing. The current market value for a vintage copy of the Game of Life is around $40.

Munchkin

Munchkin is a card game that parodies traditional role-playing games. The rules of Munchkin are strange in that they encourage players to betray each other in order to win. The goal of the game is to reach level 10, but players can make deals and backstab others to hinder their progress. The game is full of surprises, with players gaining or losing levels depending on the outcome of their actions.

One of the strangest rules is that players can discard cards at any time, changing the flow of the game. Munchkin’s humor and unexpected interactions between players make it a beloved choice for fans of strategy games with a twist. The game has numerous expansions and themed versions, adding to its appeal. The current market value for a Munchkin base set is approximately $30.

Dead of Winter

Dead of Winter is a cooperative board game with strange rules involving trust and betrayal. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, players must work together to survive, but there is a hidden traitor among them. The game’s rules are unique in that they require players to cooperate on certain tasks, while also watching their backs for the betrayer.

The traitor’s actions can make or break the group’s chances of survival. Each character in the game has a personal goal, which adds another layer of complexity. The rules also incorporate a morale system, where the group’s survival depends on how well they manage their emotions. The strange blend of cooperation and suspicion keeps players engaged and coming back for more. The market value for Dead of Winter is around $60.

Tigris & Euphrates

Tigris & Euphrates is a strategy game with peculiar rules about territory control and conflict. Players build civilizations by placing tiles and establishing trade routes, but the game introduces an unusual mechanic where conflicts are resolved through the leadership of players’ factions. The game’s strength lies in its ability to reward both strategic thinking and diplomacy.

One of the strangest rules is that players can lose power by being involved in conflicts they did not start, which can dramatically shift the balance of the game. The game’s complexity lies in balancing multiple factions while maintaining peaceful relationships with others. This dynamic creates a deeply engaging experience that keeps players coming back for more. The current market value for Tigris & Euphrates is approximately $50.

Grape Escape

Grape Escape is a bizarre game where players take on the roles of grapes trying to escape a winery. The rules of the game are strange in that the players must navigate through the vineyard, avoid obstacles, and try to make it to the wine barrel before they are squished. The game’s mechanics are based on the rolling of dice and drawing cards, but the real chaos begins when players start sabotaging each other’s progress.

The most unusual rule is the wine-tasting challenge, which adds a quirky, random element to the gameplay. Fans enjoy the lighthearted and humorous nature of the game, which contrasts with the serious nature of other strategy games. The game’s appeal lies in its simple rules and fun theme. The current market value for Grape Escape is around $25.

Guillotine

Guillotine is a card game set during the French Revolution, where players must execute nobles. The rules of the game are strange because players must line up the nobles in a specific order to execute them, but can manipulate the line to their advantage. The game has a dark sense of humor, with players trying to collect the most valuable heads.

The strange twist comes in the form of action cards, which allow players to change the order of execution, disrupt other players’ plans, or even steal heads from others. The game’s strange premise and the need for strategic manipulation of the line-up keep players invested in the game. The combination of humor and strategy has made Guillotine a favorite among fans of quirky games. The current market value for Guillotine is approximately $15.

Cosmic Encounter

Cosmic Encounter is a game where players control different alien species with strange and unique abilities. The rules of the game are bizarre because each alien power changes the way players interact with one another. The game allows players to form alliances, betray one another, and engage in battles for control of the galaxy.

One of the strangest rules is the “negotiation” phase, where players can offer to cooperate in exchange for cards or promises, but those promises can be broken at any time. The randomness of the alien powers and the shifting alliances make every game different, and it is this unpredictability that draws players to the game. Cosmic Encounter has earned a cult following due to its strange mechanics and replayability. The market value for Cosmic Encounter is around $40.

The Resistance

The Resistance is a social deduction game where players must figure out who among them are spies. The rules are strange because players must cooperate with one another to complete missions, but at least one person is working against the group.

The game’s tension comes from the fact that players can never truly trust one another, and each round, players must secretly vote on which members will go on a mission. The game’s strange mechanic lies in how the spies can secretly sabotage the mission, making it difficult for the resistance to succeed. The Resistance has a loyal fan base due to its focus on deception and trust, which creates a unique experience every time it is played. The current market value for The Resistance is around $20.

RoboRally

RoboRally is a board game where players control robots trying to reach checkpoints while avoiding obstacles. The rules are strange in that players program their robot’s movements in advance, but they cannot predict what other players will do. The robots move according to a set of cards that players lay down, but the real challenge comes from the constantly changing environment.

Players can end up pushing each other into dangerous areas or even resetting their robots to start over. The game has a chaotic, unpredictable feel because players must adapt to the ever-changing board layout. Fans of RoboRally enjoy the combination of strategy and chaos, making it a game worth playing repeatedly. The market value for RoboRally is approximately $40.

Bang! The Dice Game

Bang! The Dice Game is a fast-paced, action-packed game set in the Wild West. The game’s rules are strange because players must take on hidden roles, such as Sheriff, Outlaw, or Renegade, and they do not know who their allies are. The most peculiar aspect is the use of dice to resolve actions, with players rolling dice to determine whether they can successfully shoot their opponents or heal themselves.

The game’s randomness adds an element of surprise, as players never know if they will succeed or fail in their actions. The dynamic rules, along with the need for deception and strategy, have earned Bang! a dedicated fan base. The game’s simple mechanics and fast-paced nature make it highly replayable. The current market value for Bang! The Dice Game is around $15.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a tile-placement game where players build cities, roads, and fields. The rules may seem simple at first, but the game becomes strange when players start competing for control of the regions. What makes the game unique is the way players can claim areas by placing their followers (called “meeples”) on tiles as they are placed.

However, the placement of tiles can lead to unexpected results, as players can build cities that expand or roads that get blocked. The strange nature of the game comes from the fact that no two games are ever the same, as the landscape continuously changes. Fans love the unpredictability of the game, which keeps each session fresh. The current market value for Carcassonne is around $30.

Betrayal at House on the Hill

Betrayal at House on the Hill is a horror-themed board game that starts as a cooperative experience and then turns into a strange, competitive one. Players explore a haunted house, gathering items and clues to uncover the mystery. However, at some point during the game, one player betrays the rest of the group, turning the game into a battle between the traitor and the remaining players.

The betrayal mechanic is the most bizarre aspect of the game, as it is completely random and can happen at any time. Once the betrayal happens, the game changes completely, with different rules based on the traitor’s role. Fans of Betrayal love the element of surprise and the tension created by the shifting alliances. The market value for Betrayal at House on the Hill is approximately $40.

Werewolf

Werewolf is a party game that involves social deduction and deception. The rules are strange because players are assigned roles such as villagers or werewolves, and they must figure out who the werewolves are before they are eliminated. What makes the game even more bizarre is the fact that players can discuss, accuse, and vote to eliminate others during each round.

The tension comes from the fact that no one knows who to trust, and the werewolves must lie convincingly to stay in the game. The game’s strange mechanics make it highly interactive, with players constantly trying to read each other’s body language and intentions. Werewolf has a loyal following due to its social interaction and the deep strategy involved in bluffing. The market value for Werewolf is around $20.

Twilight Struggle

Twilight Struggle is a two-player game set during the Cold War, where players take on the roles of the United States and the Soviet Union. The game’s strange rules revolve around managing influence and alliances across the world. The game uses cards to simulate events and actions, but the outcome of each round can drastically alter the global balance of power. What makes the game particularly strange is the balance of political strategy and military tactics, where players must avoid direct confrontation while still gaining control over regions.

The game’s length and complexity make it a niche game for fans who enjoy a deep, cerebral experience. Twilight Struggle’s historical accuracy and the feeling of controlling a global superpower have made it a favorite among strategy enthusiasts. The current market value for Twilight Struggle is approximately $40.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.