In Tabletop Games L is for…
LARP (Live Action Role-Playing)
LARPing takes role-playing games into the real world. Instead of rolling dice and describing your actions, you physically act them out—sometimes in elaborate costumes, sometimes just in a park with foam swords. Think of it as part improv theatre, part game, and part exercise. It can range from casual fantasy battles to full-on immersive experiences where players stay in character for entire weekends.
LCG (Living Card Game)
Unlike traditional collectible card games where booster packs contain randomised cards, Living Card Games (LCGs) give you exactly what’s in each expansion. Fantasy Flight Games popularised this model with titles like Android: Netrunner and A Game of Thrones: The Card Game. Other publishers use the term “Expandable Card Game” to avoid trademark issues, but the concept remains the same: strategic depth without the blind-pack gamble.
Legacy Game
A legacy game evolves as you play, often requiring permanent changes like marking the board, tearing up cards, or adding hidden components. Pandemic Legacy and Risk Legacy are well-known examples where choices carry over from one session to the next. Unlike campaign games, which can usually be reset, legacy games leave a lasting impact—so once you start, there’s no turning back.
Light Games
Sometimes, you just want a quick, fun game without heavy rules or deep strategy. That’s where light games shine. Whether it’s a silly party game like Exploding Kittens or a simple card game like Love Letter, these are easy to learn and play in a short amount of time. Perfect for casual gamers or warming up before something meatier.
Line of Sight (LOS)
If your character can’t see the target, they probably can’t hit it. That’s the basic idea behind Line of Sight. In tactical RPGs and wargames, obstacles like walls, trees, or even other characters can block your view. Some games use a strict “if you can draw an uninterrupted line, you can see it” rule, while others are a bit more forgiving. Either way, positioning matters—because getting hit by something you couldn’t even see coming is never fun.
Luck Mitigation
Luck is part of many board games, but the best ones give you ways to work around it. Luck mitigation refers to strategies that reduce randomness’ impact. Drafting multiple dice in Roll for the Galaxy, re-rolling in King of Tokyo, or collecting specific cards in Terraforming Mars—these all give players ways to influence their fate rather than rely on sheer chance.
Have I missed anything?