Board Game Take 5: Clever Combinations That Define the Hobby

There is a specific kind of electricity in the air when a complex plan finally comes together. You’ve been gathering resources, tinkering with your engine, and waiting for the precise moment to unleash a strategy that leaves your opponents in awe. This is the heart of our latest **Board Game Take 5: Clever Combinations** feature, where we explore the games that reward you most for connecting the dots. Whether you are chaining cards, triggering abilities, or exploiting a scoring loophole, finding that perfect synergy is what keeps us coming back to the table.

The Anatomy of a Great Combo

Before we dive into the specific titles, let’s talk about what makes a combination satisfying. It isn’t just about playing powerful cards; it’s about the interplay between mechanics and the limitations of the game state. A true “combo” feels like you discovered a secret within the system rather than just following the path the designer laid out for you.

When we look at games with high replay value, it is often because the system is deep enough to allow for these emergent strategies. The best games provide a sandbox of tools where player agency is the driving force. However, these combos need to be balanced by constraints—limited actions, tight resource management, or the threat of what your opponents are doing.

Why Synergy Matters

Synergy elevates a game from a simple math problem to a narrative experience. When you combine two distinct mechanics to create a third, more powerful effect, you feel clever. That feeling is the core “hook” of modern board gaming. It transforms a passive activity into an active pursuit of optimization.

Furthermore, games that rely on clever combinations often scale better in terms of player count. Even if the direct interaction is low, the “race” to see whose engine fires first creates a tense, interactive atmosphere. You aren't just playing your own solitaire game; you are trying to solve the puzzle faster and more efficiently than the people sitting next to you.

The Take 5: Masterpieces of Design

In this countdown, we aren't just looking at games with the most cards. We are looking for titles where the interaction between components creates magic. Here are five games that define the art of the combination.

1. Splendor

At first glance, Splendor looks like a simple chip-buying game. But veterans know that the real game is in the reservation and development chain. The ultimate combo in Splendor is the “double turn”—timing your purchases so that you unlock a noble tile on your turn, which then grants you free bonuses that let you immediately buy the card you reserved for next turn.

The genius here is the efficiency of the setup time. You can teach this game in five minutes, but the “table space” required is minimal, allowing you to focus entirely on the mental puzzle. It’s a masterclass in how a simple set of mechanics can produce deep, brain-burning decisions.

2. 7 Wonders

7 Wonders utilizes a draft-and-pass mechanic that forces you to make hard choices about combinations. You might see a card you want, but you also know your neighbor to the left needs it, so you deny it to them while trying to build your own science or military engine.

The science mechanic in particular is a haven for combo lovers. Playing three different science symbols gives you square points; playing identical symbols gives you exponential points. Trying to force the “set collection” combo while drafting blindly is a thrill. Plus, the simultaneous play means that regardless of the player count, the game moves at a brisk pace.

3. Terraforming Mars

If Splendor is a sprint, Terraforming Mars is a marathon. This game is about building an engine that generates resources, which then buys more cards to generate more resources. The combos here are intricate and satisfyingly mathematical.

Perhaps the most beloved interaction is the “Steel/Titanium” combo with specific building cards. You play a card that lowers the cost of steel, then a card that gives you steel for placing city tiles, and then a card that gives you victory points for steel production. It turns the board into a personal playground of efficiency. However, be warned: the setup time is significant, and you will need ample table space to lay out your player board, the main board, and your sprawling tableau of cards.

4. Dominion

The progenitor of the deck-building genre, Dominion is arguably the purest form of combo gaming on the market. Your entire deck is a combination waiting to happen. You buy Village cards to draw more cards, and Smithy cards to play more actions, chaining them together to buy Provinces.

The real joy comes in the “kingdom cards,” which change every game. One session might be about “Action Chains,” while another is about “Gardens” and filling your deck with junk. The replay value is essentially infinite because the combination of available cards is always changing. It requires very little table space but offers massive strategic depth.

5. Gloomhaven

We couldn't have this list without mentioning the heavy hitter of the hobby. Gloomhaven is a tactical dungeon crawler where your two-card hand management system dictates every move. The combos here are about movement and attack modifiers.

For example, you might use a bottom card to jump over an enemy to gain advantage, and the top card of the same card to perform a ranged attack that hits that enemy and the one behind it. Then, an adjacent ally uses a card that grants you an experience point for pushing enemies. These multi-player interactions make you feel like a super-hero squad. However, managing these combos requires organization. Most players invest in third-party storage solutions to keep the hundreds of cards and tokens sorted, otherwise the setup time becomes a genuine barrier to entry.

Organizing Your Collection for Optimal Play

To fully enjoy games that rely on clever combinations, you need to be in the right headspace. Nothing kills a strategic buzz faster than a messy table or missing components. If you are diving into heavy engine-builders like Terraforming Mars, consider how you organize your box.

The Importance of Storage Solutions

Complex combo games often come with hundreds of small pieces. Tokens, resource cubes, and cards need to be accessible. If you spend ten minutes digging for a specific resource cube, you lose the mental thread of your strategy.

This is where good storage solutions come into play. Organizers aren't just about looking pretty on the shelf; they are about accessibility. Using a custom insert for Gloomhaven or Scythe can drastically reduce setup time, getting you to the fun part—the combos—much faster.

Accessories that Enhance the Experience

Beyond storage, think about the tactile elements of your game. In Splendor, using heavy poker chips instead of the standard cardboard tokens can actually improve the gameplay experience. The “clack” of high-quality chips adds a satisfying weight to your economic engine.

Similarly, card sleeves are a must for games with heavy shuffling like Dominion. When you are executing a combo that requires you to cycle through your deck three times in a turn, you don't want your cards to stick together or get marked. Sleeving your cards ensures the game remains fair and the mechanics flow smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best player count for combo games?

It depends on the game. For “race” style combos like Splendor, the full player count works great because it creates a tension for resources. For highly interactive combos where you need to predict other players' moves, a lower player count often allows for deeper strategizing. Always check the box recommendations, but don't be afraid to try games at different counts to see how the combo dynamics shift.

How do I reduce setup time for complex engine builders?

The best way to reduce setup time is organization. Invest in plastic organizers or tackle boxes to sort components by type. Bagging tokens beforehand or using a “lazy Susan” for central components can also help. If the setup time is longer than the playtime, it might be time to look at better storage solutions or a simpler game.

Are “combo” games bad for new gamers?

Not necessarily. Games like Splendor and Kingdomino are excellent entry-level games that teach the concept of combinations without overwhelming rules. However, heavy “take-that” combo games or those with massive rulebooks might be intimidating. Start with games where the combos are visually obvious (like matching colors or symbols) before moving to abstract math combos.

Do table space requirements affect combo potential?

Yes, significantly. If a game requires a large tableau to manage your combos (like Terraforming Mars), a small table can physically prevent you from seeing the full picture. Being able to lay out your options allows you to visualize the connections between your cards. If you are tight on space, look for games that use shared boards or smaller card formats.

Final Thoughts on Combinations

The beauty of board gaming lies in these systems of interactions. Whether you are chaining actions in a dungeon or buying gems in a Renaissance market, the thrill of the combo is universal. It challenges our brains, tests our planning skills, and delivers a rush of satisfaction when our plans finally pay off. So, the next time you sit down to play, look closer at the cards in your hand. Is there a link waiting to be found? A clever combination just waiting to be unleashed? Grab your favorite game, clear your table, and find out.