Summary

  • The 5-player count in board games often ensures competitive gameplay.
  • The Chameleon is a social deduction game that is an excellent icebreaker and a fun choice for any occasion with its quick rounds.
  • Betrayal at House on the Hill is a spooky haunted mansion game with a lot of rules and lore, perfect for players who enjoy high stakes and dramatic gameplay.

With board games now becoming a massive and popular hobby, there are thousands of different games to appeal to a variety of tastes, occasions, and player counts. The 5-player gamer count is typically considered to be the borderline sweet spot within the hobby. This is because players can opt for heavier ‘euro’ games that are more complex, or choose to play lighter games that are card-based or party games themselves.

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The 5 player count also ensures that more competitive games remain fierce and balanced, with no clear decisive sides forming due to the odd number of players. With so many games to choose from, here are some board games that shine for 5 players.

Updated February 14, 2024 by Alexandra O'Leary: Board games are a brilliant way to socialize. Whether it's heading to a board game café or having friends over, they're a great source of entertainment and can easily get everyone chatting. Some players like games that promote socializing and deduction, while others like one with strategy and tactics - luckily, there is absolutely no shortage of board games available to meet those preferences.

Choosing a game to play with a relatively big group can be a little intimidating since knowing which ones are good for groups of five can be tricky. While many people typically think of board games to be a four-person thing, there's a huge selection that are perfect for game nights with five (and sometimes more) friends. No matter what the group might be after, there's a brilliant board game just waiting to be played.

1 The Chameleon

Blend In With The Group

Chameleon Cropped (1) Cropped
Chameleon Cropped (1) Cropped
  • Designed by: Big Potato Games
  • Released: 2017
  • Players: 3-8

The Chameleon is a social deduction board game that has players putting on their best lying faces to fool everyone at the table. Using two dice, a specific word will be chosen from the dozens of different categories - ranging from foods to musical instruments. Then, each player goes around and says one thing that isn't too specific, but undeniably related to the selected word.

The catch: one person is the chameleon, and their job is to say a word that blends in with everyone else at the table. Players then discuss who they think the chameleon is without giving away the secret word, and everyone votes. This is a brilliant icebreaker for game nights where players might not know each other too well. It's also a fun, easy choice for any occasion, and rounds don't usually last too long, so it's not a big investment.

2 Camp Grizzly

Survive Camp With Your Friends

Camp Grizzly board game box beside an image of Otis, the killer from the game.
  • Designed by: Ameritrash Games
  • Released: 2013
  • Players: 1-6

Camp Grizzly is a teen slasher-inspired board game that has players taking on different stereotypical roles with special abilities that aid them on their quest to escape camp alive. Otis, the murderer, is stalking Camp Grizzly and attempting to kill players, who will be moving around the board and pulling cards that influence what happens. It's best when there are at least four or five players since it gives the rounds more dimension and higher stakes.

This is a brilliantly fun game for those who love 90s horror and all the tropes that come with it - like the popular girl, the brave scout, and the stranger loner. Each person has specific strengths depending on their trope and can obtain weapons, campers, and other items that will help them fend off Otis and escape camp. Due to the nature of the cards dictating many of the events, this game can be unpredictable but is a very fun and creative play. If players like to role-play, this is a great choice that easily becomes more fun when everyone commits to their role.

3 Betrayal At House On The Hill

Explore A Haunted House With Dark Secrets

Betrayal At House On The Hill - Board Game Pieces Out On Table With PNG Of Board Game Box On Top-1
  • Designed by: Bruce Glassco
  • Released: 2004
  • Players: 3-6

Betrayal at House on the Hill is a haunted mansion board game where up to six players can explore this mysterious home to discover dark secrets. Players build the house by pulling various tiles as they creep around the environment, encountering events, people, and evil inhabitants.

Eventually, somebody will become the traitor and try to execute their task while the others attempt to stop them. It's a brilliant choice for players who love something spooky or dramatic, and players can even elevate the gameplay by role-playing and building on their characters. It's high stakes, but not time-sensitive, so it's just the right amount of stress. Players who like board games with a few more rules, and a lot of lore, will love Betrayal at House on the Hill.

4 The Great Split

Strategically Collect Treasure

cover of The Great Split
  • Designed by: Hjalmar Hach and Lorenzo Silva
  • Released: 2022
  • Players: 2-7

The Great Split is one of the most beautiful new games with a unique art style that's perfect for five players. In this lavish Art Deco-themed board game, players hustle to gather a prestigious collection of riches. However, players draft their cards and divvy them up, but others get to cherry-pick the lot they like the most.

Players have to split the treasure, and then hold their breath as opponents decide the fate of the stash. While their rivals are pondering their choices, players receive tantalizing offers too. Players must use their negotiating skills and strategize wisely when it comes to their gems, artwork, and tomes if they want to win the game.

5 Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

Choose A Role And Trust Nobody

cover of Battlestar Galactica The Board Game
  • Designed by: Corey Konieczka
  • Released: 2007
  • Players: 3-6

Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game takes players on a thrilling ride filled with danger and mysteries. Drawing from the renowned TV series, players will be able to step into the roles of their beloved characters, each endowed with distinct strengths and weaknesses.

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Players will have to find out who is the lurking duplicitous Cylonsamidst in the crew. However, they'll also have to deal with other issues including fuel shortages, food contaminations, and the constant dread of Cylon assaults. Gamers will have to face new challenges and use their strategic skills while trying to figure out who is trying to deceive them.

6 Cyclades

Build A Mighty Civilization

cover of Cyclades (2009)
  • Designed by: Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc
  • Released: 2009
  • Players: 2-5

Cyclades players can meet some of the most powerful gods in games as they embark on their adventure and learn about Ancient Greece and its many fascinating creatures and deities. This beautiful board game transports its players into a magical version of Ancient Greece.

Board game fans will have to construct two glorious cities in the Cyclades while trying to win the blessings of not one, but five distinct gods. Each deity brings their own flair to the story: Ares wields armies, Poseidon rules the seas, Zeus harnesses the power of temples, and Athena blesses with knowledge. However, gamers will have to be careful because gods are fickle, so players will have to make wise and strategic decisions before they choose which gods they should worship.

7 Power Grid

Cleverly Bring Electricity To Cities

cover of Power Grid
  • Designed by: Friedmann Friese
  • Released: 2004
  • Players: 2-6

Power Grid players will have to heavily rely on their strategic skills as they try to figure out how to navigate the intricate world of energy. Thanks to this challenging but entertaining board game, players get to compete against each other as they try to supply the cities with electricity.

However, Power Grid isn't just about connecting cities, since players will have to try to get their hands on the best power plants. However, there are always new and better models hitting the market, so gamers will have to make their choices wisely. To fuel these powerhouses, board game fans must secure resources like coal, oil, and uranium as well as renewable energy sources.

8 Earth

Use Strategy To Build The New Earth

cover of Earth
  • Designed by: Maxime Tardif
  • Released: 2023
  • Players: 1-5

One of 2023's most beautiful board games that is perfect for 5 players is Earth. It's a great choice for players who appreciate great designs and are looking for great strategy games that'll help them learn more about the planet's fascinating ecosystems and habitats.

Players will have to learn how to strategically grow their ecosystem just like the one on Earth. As gamers create a self-supporting engine of growth, they'll learn more about various terrains, as well as all kinds of natural resources, and learn that even their unused plants can help them with future growth if they compost them.

9 Astra

Work Together To Solve The Sky

cover of Astra
  • Designed by: Patrik Porkolab, Frigyes Schoberl and Eszter Krisztina Sas
  • Released: 2022
  • Players: 2-5

Astra is one of the most exciting new abstract strategy board games for 5 players. Thanks to this stunning and highly interactive game, players can become curious astronomers whose goal is to understand the constellations of the night sky.

This family-friendly board game lets players work together while sharing their discoveries. Each astronomer has to strive to become the best who will be remembered forever. Astra is entertaining for kids and adults alike, and thanks to its unique gameplay, all players will be able to sharpen their tactical and strategic skills in a fun way.

10 The Wolves

Create The Strongest Wolf Pack

cover of The Wolves
  • Designed by: Ashwin Kamath and Clarence Simpson
  • Released: 2022
  • Players: 2-5

The Wolves is one of the best new board games for animal lovers and has a beautiful design along with great gameplay. This 5-player board game lets players become powerful wolves who have to establish their wolf packs and dominate over the others.

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Only one wolf pack can survive, so players have to make strategic choices while trying to build their territories. Players will have to build the largest pack possible by claiming new territories, hunting, and trying to recruit lone wolves to make their packs stronger. However, as players make their decisions, they'll also have to be considerate of others, since their wolves can be turned and recruited to the other packs if they're not careful.