For strategy lovers, Concordia is my best overall pick because its economic planning rewards careful choices without relying on combat or complex exceptions. Civilization: A New Dawn offers a broader empire-building challenge, while Azul makes tactical decisions accessible in a compact, easy-to-teach format. The main tradeoff is between long-range planning and quick tactical play, with group size, player interaction, and learning time shaping the right fit. This lineup also includes cooperative and two-player options for tables that want a different kind of strategic challenge. Read on for how each game compares and which one suits your group.
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Key Takeaways
- Concordia leads for strategic depth with a manageable rules footprint: its economic choices reward planning, while Civilization: A New Dawn offers a more expansive empire-building experience.
- Azul and Splendor make strategy approachable: both focus on readable tactical choices, though Azul centers on tile placement and Splendor on building an efficient engine.
- Player interaction takes different forms: Catan makes shared resources and negotiation central, while Wingspan and Everdell put more emphasis on developing your own engine or tableau.
- Not every strategy game is a head-to-head contest: Forbidden Island gives the group a shared survival puzzle, and Othello offers direct, two-player positional play.
- Table time and group fit change the ranking: Carcassonne is a flexible tile-placement choice, while Concordia and Civilization suit players willing to spend more time planning.
| Sid Meier’s Civilization: A New Dawn Board Game |  | Best for Big-Picture Planners | Players: 2–4 | Recommended age: 14+ | Playtime: 1–2 hours | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Azul Mosaic Tile-Placement Strategy Board Game |  | Best for Quick Tactical Strategy | Players: 2–4 | Recommended age: 8+ | Playing time: 30–45 minutes | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Catan Board Game (6th Edition) |  | Best for Negotiation and Resource Strategy | Players: 3–4 | Minimum age: 10+ | Estimated playing time: 90 minutes | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Wingspan Board Game by Stonemaier Games |  | Best for Solo and Flexible Group Play | Designer: Elizabeth Hargrave | Players: 1–5 | Playing time: 60–90 minutes | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Everdell Board Game – Strategic Worker Placement & Tableau Building Game for Adults & Teens |  | Best Premium Tableau Builder | Players: 1–4 | Recommended age: 14+ | Illustrated cards: Over 120 | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Concordia: Strategy Board Game, Economic Development, 2-5 Players, 90 Minutes |  | Best for Economic Strategists | Players: 2–5 | Estimated playing time: 90 minutes | Genre: Strategy | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Gamewright Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game |  | Best Cooperative Pick for Families | Players: 2–4 | Recommended age: 10 and up | Playing time: 30 minutes | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Ravensburger Othello Classic Strategy Board Game for 2 Players |  | Best Head-to-Head Classic | Players: 2 | Age range: 8+ | Playing time: 20 minutes | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Splendor – Gem Trading Strategy Board Game (2‑4 Players) |  | Best Quick Engine Builder | Players: 2–4 | Age range: 10+ years | Plastic tokens: 40 | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Carcassonne Tile Placement Strategy Board Game |  | Best for Shared-Building Tactics | Players: 2–5 | Recommended age: 7+ | Playing time: About 35 minutes | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| board games for strategy lover | Players | Recommended age | Playing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sid Meier’s Civilization: A Ne | 2–4 | 14+ | — |
| Azul Mosaic Tile-Placement Str | 2–4 | 8+ | 30–45 minutes |
| Catan Board Game | 3–4 | — | — |
| Wingspan Board Game by Stonema | 1–5 | — | 60–90 minutes |
| Everdell Board Game | 1–4 | 14+ | — |
| Concordia: Strategy Board Game | 2–5 | — | — |
| Gamewright Forbidden Island | 2–4 | 10 and up | 30 minutes |
| Ravensburger Othello Classic S | 2 | — | 20 minutes |
| Splendor | 2–4 | — | — |
| Carcassonne Tile Placement Str | 2–5 | 7+ | About 35 minutes |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Sid Meier’s Civilization: A New Dawn Board Game
Multiple routes to victory give this Civilization game a satisfying strategic puzzle: I can adapt my plans as rivals compete for territory and progress. Its streamlined play is a better fit for a focused game night than a sprawling strategy marathon, while still offering more long-range planning than Azul, whose tension centers on tile choices each round. The tradeoff is its 1–2 hour playtime and 2–4 player limit; it asks for more attention than Azul’s shorter sessions and cannot accommodate a larger group. The age guidance of 14+ also makes it less suitable for younger family tables. I’d choose it for players who want varied paths to winning and room to adjust their strategy, without committing to an all-evening game.
Pros:- Multiple victory paths reward flexible planning
- Streamlined play keeps the session shorter than many large-scale strategy games
- Designed to welcome both newer and experienced players
Cons:- Limited to two to four players
- A one-to-two-hour session needs a dedicated block of time
- The 14+ age guidance makes it a poor fit for younger children
Best for: Strategy fans who want several ways to pursue victory in a mid-length game for two to four players.
Not ideal for: Younger children, large groups, or players seeking a quick game that fits into a short break.
- Players:2–4
- Recommended age:14+
- Playtime:1–2 hours
- Game type:Strategy board game
- Victory paths:Multiple
- Gameplay style:Streamlined
Our verdict“Choose this for a mid-length strategy game where adapting between several routes to victory is the main appeal.”
Azul Mosaic Tile-Placement Strategy Board Game
Azul turns a simple draft into a sharp tactical contest. I choose tiles from shared displays, build patterns on my board, and weigh each gain against the pieces I may be forced to take. That push and pull makes its strategy easier to approach than Catan’s mix of resource management and negotiation, and its 30–45 minute sessions are easier to fit into a busy evening. The tradeoff is that leftover tiles count against me, so a disrupted plan can sting; the competitive draft-and-deny style may also feel mean-spirited to players who prefer building in parallel. It supports two players as well as groups of up to four, making it a flexible pick for compact strategy sessions where every choice matters.
Pros:- Straightforward rules make the tactical choices approachable
- Shared tile displays create meaningful draft-and-deny decisions
- Works with two to four players
- Resin tiles and player boards support the mosaic-building theme
Cons:- Leftover tiles count against players, which can punish a disrupted plan
- Direct competition over shared tiles may not suit players who prefer less confrontational strategy
- A tight focus on tile placement offers less variety in strategic systems than Catan or Civilization
Best for: Players who want accessible rules, tactical tile choices, and a strategy game that fits into a 30–45 minute session.
Not ideal for: Players who dislike blocking opponents or taking penalties when their pattern plans leave tiles unused.
- Players:2–4
- Recommended age:8+
- Playing time:30–45 minutes
- Resin tiles:100
- Player boards:4
- Factory displays:9
- Scoring markers:4
- Award:2018 Spiel des Jahres
Our verdict“Pick Azul for quick, focused strategy built around tile choices and reading what opponents might take.”
Catan Board Game (6th Edition)
Catan makes table talk part of the strategy. I gather resources, build roads and cities, and negotiate trades while the modular island changes the incentives from game to game. Compared with Azul, its decisions are less contained: resource access, rival expansion, and trading all shape what I can do next. That creates more social maneuvering, though dice rolls and the robber can interrupt a carefully built plan. The base game supports only three to four players, so it is less flexible than Wingspan, which accommodates up to five and offers solo play. Setup takes longer than Azul’s focused tile layout, and the roughly 90-minute session needs room for trading and development. This edition suits groups that enjoy negotiation alongside resource planning, but can frustrate players who want tighter control over outcomes.
Pros:- Trading adds a social layer to resource management
- Modular terrain creates different starting conditions across games
- Road and city building give players visible development goals
- Includes wooden player pieces and card trays
Cons:- Dice results and the robber can disrupt resource plans
- Base game is limited to three or four players
- Setup and a roughly 90-minute session require more time than Azul
Best for: Groups of three or four who enjoy negotiating trades and adapting resource plans to a changing board.
Not ideal for: Players who want low randomness, fast setup, two-player play, or a strategy game without direct negotiation.
- Players:3–4
- Minimum age:10+
- Estimated playing time:90 minutes
- Edition:6th Edition
- Language:English
- Terrain hexes:19
- Wooden player pieces:96
- Cards:120
- Included components:Sea frame pieces, number discs, dice, card trays, and rules
Our verdict“Choose Catan for a group that wants resource planning shaped by negotiation, variable boards, and some luck.”
Wingspan Board Game by Stonemaier Games
Wingspan rewards building combinations over time. I attract birds to habitats, gather food, and lay eggs, using bird cards to shape how actions pay off. With 170 unique bird cards, the strategic puzzle changes as new options enter a player’s tableau. That gives it a gentler, engine-building feel than Catan’s trading and shared resource competition, while its one-to-five-player range and Automa opponent make it more flexible for solo play or a larger group. The tradeoff is a 60–90 minute session and several components and systems to learn; Azul is quicker to teach and play. The swift-start guide helps new players find their footing, but Wingspan suits people willing to learn how habitat choices and card combinations build toward later turns.
Pros:- Supports solo play with an included Automa opponent
- Accommodates one to five players
- 170 unique bird cards create varied combinations
- Swift-start guide offers an entry point for new players
Cons:- A 60–90 minute session may be too long for a quick game night
- Multiple components and strategic systems take time to learn
- Its engine building offers less direct negotiation than Catan
Best for: Solo players or groups of up to five who enjoy building card combinations and developing an engine over a longer session.
Not ideal for: Players looking for a short, low-setup game or direct negotiation and confrontation between opponents.
- Designer:Elizabeth Hargrave
- Players:1–5
- Playing time:60–90 minutes
- Setup time:About 6 minutes
- Bird cards:170 unique cards
- Game type:Set collection and hand management strategy game
- Automa cards:16
- Player mats:5
- Included components:Goal mat, goal tiles, food tokens, egg miniatures, custom dice, birdfeeder dice tower, bonus cards, rulebooks, scorepad, action cubes, and organizing tray
Our verdict“Choose Wingspan for flexible solo or group play centered on card combinations and gradual engine building.”
Everdell Board Game – Strategic Worker Placement & Tableau Building Game for Adults & Teens
Everdell pairs worker placement with a growing tableau, giving players two linked ways to plan: send workers to collect resources, then use cards to build a woodland city. Compared with Wingspan, it puts more emphasis on placing workers and assembling a city from cards, while Wingspan offers solo play and supports five players. Everdell’s 1–4 player range includes solo play, but the 14+ age guidance and layered decisions make it a less straightforward choice for casual family tables than Azul. Its illustrated cards and 3D Ever Tree give the game a distinctive table presence, while the component setup takes time. This pick makes sense for players who want a weightier tableau puzzle and care about the physical presentation, provided they are comfortable with a longer learning curve.
Pros:- Worker placement and tableau building create linked planning choices
- Over 120 illustrated cards support varied city-building combinations
- Includes a 3D Ever Tree and a game board
- Supports solo play as well as groups
Cons:- Layered decisions may be demanding for very casual players
- Component setup can take time
- Limited to four players, fewer than Wingspan’s five-player capacity
Best for: Experienced tabletop players who enjoy worker placement, card tableaux, and a visually distinctive game for one to four players.
Not ideal for: Casual players seeking simple rules, quick setup, or a game for groups larger than four.
- Players:1–4
- Recommended age:14+
- Illustrated cards:Over 120
- Game type:Worker placement and tableau building
- Theme:Magical woodland
- Included components:Resource tokens, 3D Ever Tree, and game board
Our verdict“Choose Everdell if you want a presentation-rich worker-placement and tableau game and are ready for its setup and learning demands.”
Concordia: Strategy Board Game, Economic Development, 2-5 Players, 90 Minutes
Concordia earns its place for players who enjoy building an efficient plan across several turns. You manage trade and expand through Roman territories, with decisions shaped by resource management rather than luck. Compared with Catan, it puts less emphasis on dice-driven swings and more on coordinating your own economic development. Its 90-minute playtime gives that planning room to develop, but also asks for more patience and familiarity with strategy games than a quick family pick such as Splendor. The 2–5 player range works for a small group, though it won’t suit a larger table. This is a strong match for players who like weighing long-term choices; casual groups may find the economic focus demanding.
Pros:- Strategic resource management rewards planning across turns
- Low reliance on luck gives players control over their approach
- Supports 2–5 players
- 90-minute session allows strategies to develop
Cons:- Economic decisions may be complex for casual players
- Longer playtime is a poor fit for a quick game night
- Does not accommodate groups larger than five
Best for: Eurogame fans who enjoy long-term economic planning and have a small group ready for a 90-minute session
Not ideal for: Casual players who prefer quick, low-complexity games or groups larger than five
- Players:2–5
- Estimated playing time:90 minutes
- Genre:Strategy
- Edition:Standard Edition
- Language:English
- Brand:Rio Grande Games
- Minimum age:14 years
Our verdict“Choose Concordia if your group wants a thoughtful economic strategy game and has time for a longer session.”
Gamewright Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game
Forbidden Island makes strategy a shared problem: players coordinate to collect four treasures and escape while the island floods. The rising water creates a clear time pressure, so the challenge is in choosing what the group can afford to do next. Unlike competitive games such as Othello, it gives players a common goal and makes discussion part of play. At about 30 minutes, it is also a quicker introduction to planning than Concordia. That accessibility comes with less strategic depth, and the provided description notes that repeat plays may feel less fresh to experienced gamers. It suits families and casual groups that want teamwork; players seeking a layered head-to-head contest may prefer another pick.
Pros:- Cooperative objective encourages discussion and joint planning
- Flooding island creates urgency around each decision
- About 30 minutes per game
- Accessible option for family and casual players
Cons:- May feel too simple for experienced strategy gamers
- Replayability may decline after repeated plays
- Designed for 2–4 players, limiting larger groups
Best for: Families and casual groups who want a short cooperative game with shared decisions and a clear goal
Not ideal for: Experienced strategy gamers seeking deep competitive play or groups that often play solo
- Players:2–4
- Recommended age:10 and up
- Playing time:30 minutes
- Playing cards:58
- Island tiles:24
- Pawns:6
- Treasure figurines:4
Our verdict“Pick Forbidden Island for a quick, cooperative strategy challenge that brings a family or casual group onto the same team.”
Ravensburger Othello Classic Strategy Board Game for 2 Players
Othello is the most direct two-player contest in this group: place a disc, flip your opponent’s pieces, and weigh the board position that follows. Its simple rules make it easier to teach than Concordia, while every move can change which discs are exposed or protected. At about 20 minutes, it fits a short rematch better than the longer economic decisions of Concordia. It has no cooperative goal or group play, so families looking for a shared challenge may prefer Forbidden Island, which supports up to four. The board’s built-in disc storage helps keep the compact set together, but the fixed two-player format is a real limitation for game nights with more people.
Pros:- Simple rules make it quick to teach
- Disc placement and reversals create tactical choices
- About 20 minutes per game
- Slide-out drawers store the 64 discs in the board
Cons:- Only supports two players
- Direct competition may not suit players who prefer cooperative play
Best for: Two players who want a quick, easy-to-teach contest with tactical board positioning
Not ideal for: Families or game night hosts who need a title that supports more than two players
- Players:2
- Age range:8+
- Playing time:20 minutes
- Reversible discs:64
- Included components:Playing board, 64 reversible discs, rulebook
- Battery required:No
- Brand:Ravensburger
Our verdict“Choose Othello for a compact, fast two-player strategy match that prioritizes tactical positioning over group play.”
Splendor – Gem Trading Strategy Board Game (2‑4 Players)
Splendor turns a small set of choices into a satisfying engine-building puzzle: collect gem tokens, buy development cards, and work toward attracting noble patrons. With three possible actions per turn, it is easier to teach than Concordia, yet the card engine gives planning fans reasons to think ahead. Compared with Carcassonne, its focus is on improving access to future purchases rather than shaping a shared landscape. The short-session format makes it a natural fit for families and adults who want strategy without committing to a longer game. Its 2–4 player limit excludes larger groups, and the brisk pace may leave players wanting more depth than a single session provides.
Pros:- Three available actions per turn keep choices easy to learn
- Development cards build an engine that rewards planning
- Components include 40 plastic tokens, 90 cards, and 10 noble tiles
- Works for both family play and adult strategy sessions
Cons:- Supports only 2–4 players
- Short sessions may feel too light for players seeking deeper games
Best for: Families and adult players who want approachable engine building in a short session
Not ideal for: Larger groups or strategy fans looking for a longer, more involved economic game
- Players:2–4
- Age range:10+ years
- Plastic tokens:40
- Development cards:90
- Noble tiles:10
- Brand:Asmodee
- Model year:2019
Our verdict“Pick Splendor if you want approachable engine building and meaningful decisions in a compact game night slot.”
Carcassonne Tile Placement Strategy Board Game
Carcassonne makes strategy visible on the table: each drawn tile changes the growing map, and players decide when to claim a city, road, field, or monastery with a meeple. That blend of tile placement and shared scoring opportunities gives it a different feel from Splendor, where the focus is building a personal card engine. Random tile draws keep each landscape varied, while the included Abbot and River mini-expansions add variety without changing the game’s central approach. Its rules are accessible for a wide age range, but tile draws can limit how precisely players control their plans. It also tops out at five, so larger groups will need another choice.
Pros:- Simple tile placement rules offer meaningful tactical choices
- Randomized tile draws give the map a different shape each game
- The Abbot and River mini-expansions are included
- Supports 2–5 players and ages 7+
Cons:- Tile draws can make long-term plans less predictable
- Does not support groups larger than five
Best for: Families and strategy newcomers who enjoy adapting plans as a shared map takes shape
Not ideal for: Players who want full control over every move or need a game for more than five
- Players:2–5
- Recommended age:7+
- Playing time:About 35 minutes
- Genre:Strategy
- Edition:Classic Edition
- Included mini-expansions:The Abbot and The River
- Language:English
Our verdict“Choose Carcassonne if you want accessible strategy built around adapting claims as a shared landscape grows.”
How We Picked
I compared these games by how clearly their choices reward planning, adaptation, and reading the table. I also weighed how much rules learning stands between a new player and meaningful decisions, how interaction shapes each session, and whether a game works for a narrow or broad range of group sizes. These criteria help distinguish strategic depth from sheer rules weight: a game can offer satisfying choices without asking players to manage a large system.
Concordia ranks first for combining economic planning and a focused rules structure. Civilization: A New Dawn follows for players who want a larger empire-building arc, while Azul ranks highly for sharp decisions that are quick to teach. The remaining order reflects distinct strengths and tradeoffs: group negotiation, engine building, cooperative planning, direct two-player tactics, and flexible tile placement. The ranking favors games that pair a clear strategic identity with a strong fit for their intended audience.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Board Games For Strategy Lovers
Before choosing a strategy game, I match its decision style to the people who will actually play it. Think about how much planning your group enjoys, how often players want to affect one another, and whether the game needs to work with changing player counts. Those answers can matter more than a theme or a long list of mechanics.
Choose the kind of thinking your group enjoys
Strategy can mean planning several turns ahead, reacting to a changing board, building an efficient engine, or coordinating with teammates. A group that enjoys negotiation may find a low-interaction optimization game less lively, even if its decisions are demanding. Likewise, players who prefer to focus on their own plans may dislike games where opponents can disrupt a carefully prepared move. Ask what kind of decision creates good conversation at your table. A mix of styles across a collection can keep game nights fresh without asking one title to suit every mood.
Treat learning time as part of the game
A rulebook sets the entry point, but the more useful question is how soon new players can make informed choices. Some games teach a small set of actions that become more interesting with practice; others ask players to understand several connected systems before their plans become clear. For a mixed-experience group, look for a short path from explanation to meaningful decisions. Avoid choosing by rules length alone, since a compact rule set can still create tough choices and a longer one can be easy to reference. If you expect frequent newcomers, prioritize games whose core turn can be explained in a few clear steps.
Match player interaction to your group’s appetite
Interaction ranges from bargaining and competition for shared spaces to quiet comparison of personal progress. Direct conflict can make a game feel vivid, but it can also frustrate players who prefer to develop a plan without interference. Cooperative play replaces rivalry with shared discussion, which suits groups that enjoy solving a problem together but may leave some players wanting individual competition. Check whether decisions depend on negotiation, blocking, shared information, or teamwork. That choice often determines how the table feels as much as the game’s strategic depth.
Plan around the people who will be at the table
Player count affects more than whether everyone gets a seat: it can change pacing, available options, and how often plans collide. A game that is compelling at one count may feel slower or less interactive with another, so check the range your group uses most often. Two-player households may get more use from a dedicated head-to-head design than from a game that reaches its best rhythm with a larger group. For a rotating game night, favor a title that remains engaging across your usual attendance. Buying for the most common group is usually more useful than buying for the maximum listed count.
Decide how much session time you can protect
Longer sessions can support a gradual economic or tactical arc, but they ask everyone to stay engaged through more turns. Shorter games are easier to fit between other plans and may be simpler to bring to a casual gathering. Factor in setup, rules explanation, and cleanup alongside the advertised play time. A strategic game that starts quickly can see more repeat play than a demanding title that rarely fits the evening. If your group enjoys a longer session, choose one where players remain involved between their turns.
Pay for the experience your table will use
Premium presentation matters most when it supports repeated play, a theme your group loves, or a tactile experience that adds to the table. It is a weaker reason to buy if your group is unsure about the game’s pace or decision style. Compare what the game asks players to do with how often your group is likely to return to it. A compact, approachable title can be the better choice for a household that wants spontaneous play, while a larger strategy game may suit a regular group that enjoys learning a system over several sessions. The best fit is the game whose distinctive decisions your players want to revisit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which game should I choose if my group has mixed experience?
I would start with a game whose main decisions are easy to explain, since experienced players can still find room to improve through practice. A small number of clear actions helps newcomers participate without slowing the whole table. Consider whether the game lets players recover from an early mistake; steep setbacks can make a first session feel discouraging. If your group enjoys a deeper system, teach one phase at a time and keep a quick reference nearby. The best choice is one that lets everyone make purposeful moves early.
Are cooperative strategy games a good choice for competitive players?
They can be, if the group enjoys coordinating plans and debating how to respond to shared problems. Cooperative play shifts the challenge from outmaneuvering opponents to using limited actions well as a team. Some competitive players enjoy that puzzle, while others miss private goals or direct comparison. Before choosing one, ask whether your group likes open discussion and shared responsibility. A cooperative game works best when everyone has room to contribute ideas and the group agrees on how to make decisions.
Should I choose a game with more rules for greater strategic depth?
Not necessarily: more rules create more systems to learn, but they do not automatically make decisions more rewarding. Consider whether the extra systems create meaningful choices your group wants to explore. A simpler game can still offer considerable depth through timing, spatial choices, or reading opponents. For a group that meets infrequently, a concise rules structure may lead to more satisfying play because less time goes to relearning. Choose complexity based on what your players enjoy managing, rather than treating rule count as a measure of quality.
How can I tell whether a game will work well with two players?
Check how its interaction and pacing change at two players, rather than relying only on the listed player range. Some games retain the same kind of planning at every count; others depend on more opponents to make competition or negotiation lively. A dedicated two-player game can create a tighter contest, while a flexible tile or engine game may suit a household seeking a broader range of play. Think about whether both players enjoy direct tactical pressure. If the game will mostly be played by two people, give that use case more weight than occasional larger gatherings.
When is a longer strategy game worth choosing over a shorter one?
A longer game makes sense when your group enjoys sustained planning and can set aside enough time to finish without rushing. It may provide a more gradual arc for developing an economy or adapting a multi-step plan. A shorter game can still reward skill, while being easier to teach and replay on a busy evening. Check total session time, including setup and explanation, and ask whether players stay engaged between turns. Choose the longer option when the group wants that extended experience, not simply because it sounds more serious.
Conclusion
Concordia is my best overall pick for players who want thoughtful economic planning with a focused rules structure. For the best value in approachable strategy, I would choose Azul for its compact tactical puzzle; for best premium-style depth, Civilization: A New Dawn suits groups ready for a broader empire-building challenge. Catan is my pick for groups that want negotiation, while Wingspan and Everdell suit players who prefer engine or tableau development. Beginners can start with Azul or Splendor, and two-player strategists should look to Othello for direct positional play. Choose Forbidden Island for cooperative problem-solving or Carcassonne for flexible tile placement, and let your group’s preferred style settle the final choice.
