I was thinking about possible mechanics for turn based strategies and it struck me that I can't recall almost any games that were not about a map with units moving to kill other units! So, if you know any, let's create a list of turn based strategies where you don't move units on a map to kill other units (planets count as a map too).

Such game needs to meet ALL conditions below:

- turn based

- strategy (in a very broad sense)

- you don't move units on some sort of map to kill other units

Whenever I think I found one (there are many sims/tycoons/managers that are not about moving units on a map) I quickly realize that it's not a turn based game :)

So far, I could think only of Dictator on ZX Spectrum as the lone example :D

It's definitely stretching the definition of strategy from that normally used in video games, but "Magic: The Gathering" and "Munchkin" are both turn-based and involve strategic planning.

Yes, but these are direct clones of boardgames (not only card games, could be Ticket to Ride, Kingdoms, Race for the Galaxy). Basicly all boardgames can be converted to computer games as turn based strategies... But... I'm not really sure if fully counts. I mean, these were designed primarily as boardgames and as computer games these are inheritably inferior. Or maybe is it that only clones of boardgames are the ones that do not involve moving units on a map to kill others? Is it truly that there are no computer only examples?

Which is kind of weird since boardgames proved that such mechanics can work and be fun, so why lack of these in computer games?

Absolutely, and I'm sure there must be some examples, but I'm drawing a blank.

Perhaps it would be useful to more clearly define strategy, given you're using it in a broader sense than usual, as I think combat -- even if in an abstract form like Chess or Checkers -- is probably the most natural way of expressing it. I think we could probably include anything that involves managing resources and planning ahead.

Yes, but these are direct clones of boardgames (not only card games, could be Ticket to Ride, Kingdoms, Race for the Galaxy). Basicly all boardgames can be converted to computer games as turn based strategies

The other way around applies too, though - basically all turn-based computer games can be converted to board games. There are lots of board games where you move units on a map to kill other units, from Axis and Allies to Dominant Species and simpler things like Risk.

Personally I'm confused by what a strategy game that doesn't involve moving units on a map would even be. I thought that was part of the definition of strategy. But, if you want to define strategy in some other way, ok, what about the kind of games where you get a set number of actions (usually 3) per turn? The strategy there is in what single-turn combinations are effective, balanced against whether individual actions are more effective when done earlier or later. The Great Wall of China card game is an example of this - all players get the same deck of cards, though you draw them from a randomized deck. Or how about the dice game Roll Through The ages, or the card game Saint Petersburg? Those are both shopping strategy games.