Architects of the West Kingdom vs Paladins of the West Kingdom
A side-by-side comparison of two of the most-asked-about board games — using only verified specs from our catalogue. No invented rules, no fluff.
Specs and BoardGameGeek rankings current as of June 2026. Gaps in our data show as a dash (—).
| Architects of the West Kingdom | Paladins of the West Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2018 | 2019 |
| Players | 1–5 | 1–4 |
| Playtime | ~60 min | ~90 min |
| Recommended age | 12+ | 12+ |
| Complexity (BGG weight) | 2.8 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| BGG rank | #130 | #81 |
| Designers | S J Macdonald, Shem Phillips, S J Macdonald | S J Macdonald, Shem Phillips |
| Key mechanics | Area Movement, Contracts, End Game Bonuses, Events | End Game Bonuses, Market, Open Drafting, Solo / Solitaire Game |
Both games share these mechanics: End Game Bonuses, Open Drafting, Solo / Solitaire Game, Worker Placement.
Which should you get?
Based only on the specs above — not on opinion:
- Architects of the West Kingdom is the lighter, easier-to-teach game (2.8 vs 3.7 of 5), while Paladins of the West Kingdom offers more decision depth for experienced players.
- If table time matters, Architects of the West Kingdom is the shorter game (~60 min vs ~90 min).
- For bigger groups, Architects of the West Kingdom stretches further (1–5 players).
- On raw BoardGameGeek ranking, Paladins of the West Kingdom currently sits higher (#81 vs #130).
Both are well-loved games; the "right" one depends on your group. Read the full entries for Architects of the West Kingdom and Paladins of the West Kingdom.
Where to buy
Architects of the West Kingdom
Find Architects of the West Kingdom on Amazon →Paladins of the West Kingdom
Find Paladins of the West Kingdom on Amazon →Amazon links are affiliate search links. As an Amazon Associate, EveryGameMade earns from qualifying purchases.
Common questions
Is Architects of the West Kingdom or Paladins of the West Kingdom harder to learn?
Architects of the West Kingdom is the easier of the two to learn — 2.8 of 5 on BoardGameGeek versus 3.7 of 5 for Paladins of the West Kingdom.
Which is faster to play, Architects of the West Kingdom or Paladins of the West Kingdom?
Architects of the West Kingdom is the quicker game at about 60 minutes, versus roughly 90 minutes for Paladins of the West Kingdom.
How many players do Architects of the West Kingdom and Paladins of the West Kingdom support?
Architects of the West Kingdom plays with 1–5 players; Paladins of the West Kingdom plays with 1–4 players.