2-Player Variant Tier List

This is a tier list of all two-player variants on the Variants server! This will be updated upon the acceptance of any new variants, so keep an eye out. 

This does not include any historical or gamerule specific variants (such as Atomic, Courier Chess, etc.) 

Here’s a summary of what the tiers mean:

S+ means that I generally greatly enjoy playing the variant and I believe that it is worthwhile to play due to aspects such as unique strategies and/or high strategic variety. I believe that the variant is one of the best variants on the server. 

S means that I mostly enjoy playing the variant and I think that it is a high-quality variant. In some cases the variant may seem dull to play, but these cases are infrequent. 

A means that the variant is solid with few gameplay and variety issues. It is usually decently enjoyable to play, but I typically would not play these for extremely long periods of time. 

B means that the variant is slightly above average with sufficient creativity and quality. I might play one of these if I stumble across a game in the lobby or if I’m in the mood for it.

C means that the variant is average. I wouldn’t really play one of these unless under really specific circumstances, but I don’t think the variant is terrible. 

D means that either the variant feels lackluster and could be improved somehow or its gameplay doesn’t feel interesting. From a subjective standpoint, it almost feels like it should not be on the server. You’ll almost never see me playing one of these variants.

F means that the variant should really not be on the server. If you see me playing one of these, it could mean that a) I misclicked and joined the wrong game, b) someone challenged me to a game, or c) something else completely random.    

H tier stands for “horrible, should not exist”.

By the way, if you aren’t sure what some of these variants are, then don’t worry! I already have a spreadsheet with data of all (yes, all) variants on the server, which contains highly useful data such as the variant author(s), its server link, gamerules, and more. It can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jm_yhwvwY_QKZUf-dTc8AhkKrjotccbvsIZRbXnfz14/edit?usp=sharing 

Now, hopefully I don’t get flamed for putting someone’s favorite variant in D or F tier  

Finally, here are some brief explanations for some variants on opposite ends of the list:

-Ambush (S+)

Surprisingly complex despite its board layout and piece choice. Interestingly enough, a player is not clearly lost even when down a full Rook!

-Warui-shogi (S+)

An amazing implementation with Crazyhouse and high strategic variety; it’s one of the best Strategic games there is! 

-Mini Forest (A)

Quite a unique concept, that has inspired multiple other variants (most notably, Enchanted Woodland) and is arguably one of the more popular variants on the server!

-The X of Tricks (D)

From a basic standpoint, this variant is ridiculously complicated and intricate. However, if you can handle it, then maybe you’ll find something interesting…

Not for me, though. I would prefer not spending 20 minutes getting lost into the complications of the variant. 

-Crazy Cavalier (H)

It’s honestly just piece spam, in simple terms. I’m surprised this actually exists. As you play the game and it slowly progresses, it feels tedious — especially in high-level games. 

-Emperor’s Tomb (F)

I feel a bit bad for this variant. Its core concept, Elimination Chess (Giveaway + Bare Piece) is hardly explored by many players. As a result, not enough strategies for Elimination Chess, and consequently this, have been developed. It’s a mystery how Elimination Chess works, really. 

But, since there aren’t that many known strategies, the result is a player going into a variant not really knowing what they can do. This isn’t completely bad, since it allows the player to find something they can do, but it’s still complicated — arguably the most complicated two-player variant.