The roll and write genre has seen a significant surge in popularity in recent years, evolving from the simplicity of classic games like Yahtzee. In these games, players roll dice or flip cards to reveal numbers or symbols, which they then use to mark up their personal sheets. This genre, while straightforward, offers a canvas for sophisticated gameplay and creative expression, making it highly engaging and accessible to a broad audience. The barriers to entry are low, allowing a wide range of players to enjoy the immediate gratification and strategic depth these games provide. Below, we highlight the best roll and write games that showcase the genre's potential for both fun and complexity.
TL;DR: The Best Roll and Write Games
- Rolling Realms
- Marabunta
- The Fox Experiment
- Twilight Inscription
- Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up
- Welcome To... Your Perfect Home
- My City: Roll & Build
- Railroad Ink
- Next Station: London
- Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n Write
- Cartographers
- Long Shot: The Dice Game
- Three Sisters
- Fleet: The Dice Game
- Sagrada Artisans
- Motor City
Rolling Realms
0See it at Amazon
Rolling Realms cleverly integrates mini-games inspired by other board games into its realms, each represented by a card. Players engage with three realms simultaneously over nine rolls, then switch to new realms for two more rounds, completing a full game. The charm lies in the realms themselves, which are engaging microcosms of their inspirations, offering family-friendly puzzles. For an even more challenging experience, consider the standalone sequel, Rolling Realms Redux, which introduces more complex realms that can be played alone or mixed with the original game.
Marabunta
0See it at Amazon
Designed by the renowned Reiner Knizia, Marabunta is a strategic roll and write game for two players. It simulates the battle between two ant tribes over territory, represented by hexes filled with various resources. Players use dice to spread their influence across color-coded hexes or to gain bonuses, blending spatial strategy with mathematical challenges, a hallmark of Knizia's design.
The Fox Experiment
0See it at Amazon
Inspired by a real-life experiment on fox domestication, The Fox Experiment by Elizabeth Hargrave, the creator of Wingspan, introduces a more complex roll and write experience. Players use dice to simulate genetic heredity, selecting traits for fox offspring to meet end-game goals, creating a delightful and strategic challenge.
Twilight Inscription
1See it at Amazon
Twilight Inscription adapts the vast universe of Twilight Imperium into a roll and write format, delivering a 4X game experience within 90 minutes. Players manage different aspects of their space empires on separate sheets, each offering unique strategic paths. This game stands out for its depth and strategic trade-offs, resembling a full-fledged board game more than a typical roll and write.
Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up
2See it at Amazon
Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up uniquely captures the thrill of pinball using dice and a pen. Players navigate one of four tables, making strategic choices to maximize scores. The game's puzzle-like challenge is both fascinating and thrilling, with options for cooperative play and themed sets like Star Trek.
The Best Board Game Deals
Welcome To... Your Perfect Home
3See it at Amazon
Welcome To... Your Perfect Home, a flip and write game, challenges players to plan suburban streets using house numbers and building effect cards. Balancing score bonuses and meeting city plans requires strategic planning, offering a satisfying and complex gameplay experience.
My City: Roll & Build
1See it at Amazon
Based on Reiner Knizia's My City, this roll and write version offers a campaign-style experience. Each episode introduces new rules, gradually increasing complexity over 30-minute sessions. The game's flexibility allows for both campaign play and standalone episodes, making it a versatile and engaging choice.
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
9See it at Amazon
Also at Target
Railroad Ink challenges players to create a transport network on a grid using custom dice. Balancing open routes with potential future connections adds a unique strategic layer. The Deep Blue edition, with its rivers and ferry routes, is particularly engaging, though other editions offer varied themes.
Next Station: London
1See it at Amazon
Next Station: London, a flip and write game, introduces color-coded pencils as a strategic element. Players build a network of train lines across London, aiming to cross districts and tourist sites while managing line crossings. The game's simplicity belies its strategic depth, making each playthrough rewarding.
Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'N Write
4See it at Amazon
Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'N Write elevates the roll and write genre with its complexity and thematic depth. Players build a dinosaur theme park, managing resources, attractions, and tours, creating a rich strategic challenge that brings the theme to life.
Cartographers
6See it at Amazon
Also at Target
Cartographers introduces player interaction to the genre with its monster cards, which players pass to their neighbors to place strategically on opponents' maps. This twist adds a personal and thematic layer, making the game more engaging and strategic.
Long Shot: The Dice Game
0See it at Barnes and Noble
Long Shot: The Dice Game brings the excitement of horse racing to the roll and write format. Players bet on horses as they race around a track, influenced by dice rolls. The game's interactive nature and thematic immersion make it a standout in the genre.
Three Sisters
3See it at Amazon
Three Sisters takes the concept of action chaining to new heights, with players growing crops and flowers in a garden, triggering bonus actions that can lead to extensive chains. This strategic depth and planning make it a tactical delight.
Fleet: The Dice Game
0See it at Amazon
Fleet: The Dice Game offers players a chance to manage a fishing fleet, using dice to buy licenses or launch boats. The interconnected options and strategic choices make for a fast-paced and engaging experience, complete with thematic dice.
Sagrada Artisans
0See it at Amazon
Sagrada Artisans builds on the original Sagrada by adding a campaign mode and the ability to color in your stained-glass windows. The game maintains its calming nature while offering new tools and challenges over ten sessions, culminating in a rewarding finish.
Motor City
0See it at Amazon
Motor City, from the designers of Three Sisters and Fleet, focuses on the strategic management of a car production line. Using a dice-drafting mechanic and a blueprint board, players navigate through design, engineering, testing, production, and sales, offering a unique and innovative roll and write experience.
For more ideas, be sure to check out our list of the best board games of all time and the best puzzle tables featuring a great multi-purpose table (by Bits and Pieces) for playing cards and board games on, too.
