El Grande

Set in 15th-century Spain, El Grande is the quintessential area-control game. Players act as nobles vying for power across different regions, deploying caballeros from their court to influence control. Each round introduces a power card draft mechanic that determines turn order and how many units you can move. The game rewards timing, bluffing, and long-term planning. With no dice and minimal luck, it’s a battle of pure strategy, often cited as one of the greatest Eurogames ever created.