MN 581 Open Drafting Games

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17d ago 1:10:43

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Episode 581: Open Drafting Games

Episode release date is June 4, 2025

Show Notes

This week we kick off our discussion of open drafting games. So, we are going to line up a bunch of games and choose some to discuss.

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In board game mechanics, open drafting is a specific type of drafting where players take turns selecting items (like cards, tiles, dice, or tokens) from a shared, visible pool of options.

Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics and how it differs from other drafting types:

Key Characteristics of Open Drafting:

Shared Pool: There's a central display or common area where all the items available for selection are laid out.
Visibility: All players can see all the available options in the pool at all times. This is the defining feature of "open" drafting.
Turn-Based Selection: Players take turns choosing and taking one or more items from this shared pool. Once an item is taken, it's removed from the pool (or sometimes replaced immediately, depending on the game).
Strategic Interaction: Because everyone can see what's available and what others are taking, open drafting encourages a high level of player interaction and strategic depth. Players aren't just thinking about what they need for their own strategy, but also:
- "Hate Drafting": Taking an item that might not be optimal for you, but is crucial for an opponent's strategy, thereby "denying" them that piece. This can be a friendly jab or a crucial tactical move.
- Anticipation: Trying to predict what other players will take on their turns based on their visible boards or strategies.
- Adapting: Adjusting your own plans if a key item you wanted is taken by an opponent.

How it Differs from Other Drafting Types:

The main contrast to open drafting is closed drafting (often called "pick-and-pass" or "hand drafting"):

Closed Drafting: Players typically receive a hand of cards (or a set of items) and select one (or more) to keep, then pass the rest of their hand to the next player. The key difference is that the pool of options available to the next player is unknown until they receive the new hand. Players don't see the full communal pool; they only see their current hand.

Examples of Closed Drafting: 7 Wonders (the original), Sushi Go!, Blood Rage.

Why Designers Use Open Drafting:

Increased Player Interaction: Players are constantly engaged with the overall game state, not just their own limited hand.
Tactical Depth: Decisions often involve weighing immediate personal gain against denying opponents.
Transparency: All information about available items is public, allowing for more calculated and less luck-driven decisions regarding the draft itself.
Emergent Strategy: The way the pool changes based on player choices creates dynamic and evolving strategic opportunities.

Open Drafting Games

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