Architects of the West Kingdom vs Viscounts 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 | Viscounts of the West Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2018 | 2020 |
| Players | 1–5 | 1–4 |
| Playtime | ~60 min | ~60 min |
| Recommended age | 12+ | 12+ |
| Complexity (BGG weight) | 2.8 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 |
| BGG rank | #130 | #196 |
| Designers | S J Macdonald, Shem Phillips, S J Macdonald | S J Macdonald, Shem Phillips |
| Key mechanics | Area Movement, Contracts, End Game Bonuses, Events | Area Majority / Influence, Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, End Game Bonuses, Hand Management |
Both games share these mechanics: End Game Bonuses, Solo / Solitaire Game, Variable Player Powers.
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 3.5 of 5), while Viscounts of the West Kingdom offers more decision depth for experienced players.
- For bigger groups, Architects of the West Kingdom stretches further (1–5 players).
- On raw BoardGameGeek ranking, Architects of the West Kingdom currently sits higher (#130 vs #196).
Both are well-loved games; the "right" one depends on your group. Read the full entries for Architects of the West Kingdom and Viscounts of the West Kingdom.
Where to buy
Architects of the West Kingdom
Find Architects of the West Kingdom on Amazon →Viscounts of the West Kingdom
Find Viscounts 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 Viscounts 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 3.5 of 5 for Viscounts of the West Kingdom.
Which is faster to play, Architects of the West Kingdom or Viscounts of the West Kingdom?
Both take about 60 minutes.
How many players do Architects of the West Kingdom and Viscounts of the West Kingdom support?
Architects of the West Kingdom plays with 1–5 players; Viscounts of the West Kingdom plays with 1–4 players.