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What are some games where the trailing player gets an advantage (or the leading player gets a disadvantage)? For example, both can happen in Sea Salt and Paper

Could you clarify what you mean exactly?

"Trailing" could mean different things. In Patchwork, the person who is farther behind on the progress track gets to make the next move, although trailing on the progress track doesn't mean "being behind in the game". That person could actually be way ahead in terms of likelihood to win.

If you simply mean "the player who has fewer points gets to do something that the other player cannot do", I cannot think of any games that I am aware of.

BBT wrote: ↑20 July 2026, 17:55 What are some games where the trailing player gets an advantage (or the leading player gets a disadvantage)? For example, both can happen in Sea Salt and Paper

This is also referred to as a catch-up mechanic.

In the game Yinsh, for example, whenever you complete a line of markers, you have to remove a ring, which gives you fewer options. For context, in that game you have to complete three lines of markers, so the first person to complete one could be considered to be in the lead at that moment.

I know there are some games that have cards that have the effect that the person with the fewest [points, generic game resource, etc.] gets a free point, or resource, or whatever. One example is the Rooting for the Underdog card in King of Tokyo. If you alone have the fewest VPs at the end of your turn, you get a free VP.

Heat.

In Alchemists if you have low reputation you lose less when you make a mistake, and if you have high reputation you lose more if you make a mistake.

But also: if you have high reputation you have an easier time in the auction for selling to adventurers, and by the time you get to the "punishing" reputation level you should have enough alchemicals solved to be able to avoid making those mistakes that cost reputation.

Heat has it, but you have to be careful, because if you fall too far behind you will have no chance.

Meeplelowda wrote: ↑20 July 2026, 19:29 One example is the Rooting for the Underdog card in King of Tokyo. If you alone have the fewest VPs at the end of your turn, you get a free VP.

I think there's a card like this in The Vale of Eternity as well.

Both Quacks of Quedlinburg and Isle of Skye have this mechanism, but sadly they're not here on bga.

FrankJones wrote: ↑20 July 2026, 18:52 Could you clarify what you mean exactly?

"Trailing" could mean different things. In Patchwork, the person who is farther behind on the progress track gets to make the next move, although trailing on the progress track doesn't mean "being behind in the game". That person could actually be way ahead in terms of likelihood to win.

If you simply mean "the player who has fewer points gets to do something that the other player cannot do", I cannot think of any games that I am aware of.

The second one is what I meant- the player who has fewer points/is farther from winning the game.

BBT wrote: ↑21 July 2026, 03:55

FrankJones wrote: ↑20 July 2026, 18:52 Could you clarify what you mean exactly?

"Trailing" could mean different things. In Patchwork, the person who is farther behind on the progress track gets to make the next move, although trailing on the progress track doesn't mean "being behind in the game". That person could actually be way ahead in terms of likelihood to win.

If you simply mean "the player who has fewer points gets to do something that the other player cannot do", I cannot think of any games that I am aware of.

The second one is what I meant- the player who has fewer points/is farther from winning the game.

The problem is, in very few games is it the case that that player with fewer point is definitely "behind".