The best board games come in a wide variety of themes, but war games stand out as some of the most thrilling and engaging experiences you can have around a table. Whether you're looking for a quick evening of strategic combat or an all-day epic, these games promise to deliver intense battles and deep strategy. So, grab your friends, stock up on snacks and drinks, and prepare for a memorable gaming session filled with excitement and tactical challenges.
To ensure your longer games run smoothly, consider these tips: Download a PDF of the rulebook, available from most publishers, and have everyone read it beforehand. Encourage players to handle administrative tasks like sorting cards or counters during other players' turns. If everyone agrees, setting a time limit for each turn can also help keep the game moving. Now, let's dive into the best war board games available.
TL;DR: These Are the Best War Board Games
------------------------------------------ Arcs
- Dune: War for Arrakis
- Sniper Elite: The Board Game
- Twilight Imperium IV
- Blood Rage
- Dune
- Kemet: Blood and Sand
- Star Wars: Rebellion
- Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear
- Undaunted: Normandy / Undaunted: North Africa
- Root
- Twilight Struggle: Red Sea
- A Game of Thrones: The Board Game
- War of the Ring
- Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
Arcs
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War games that involve more than two players often need to balance the action on the board with the negotiation and alliances that occur among players. Arcs excels at this, offering a perfect blend of strategic depth and thrilling combat. Its innovative mechanics, inspired by trick-taking card games, provide multiple strategic options, while the open, circular board encourages aggressive play and discourages defensive strategies. Despite its rich features, you can build a complete space empire in under two hours, making it an excellent choice for those who want to explore the narrative campaign expansion.
Dune: War for Arrakis
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Don't confuse this with the multiplayer negotiation game Dune listed further down. Dune: War for Arrakis is a head-to-head battle for two players, pitting the noble Atreides against the wicked Harkonnen for control of the precious spice. This highly asymmetric game showcases the guerilla warfare of the Atreides and their Fremen allies, complete with summoned sandworms, against the larger, wealthier forces of the Harkonnen. The Harkonnen player must focus on harvesting and shipping spice to maintain their economic edge. Designed by the same team behind War of the Ring, this game uses high-quality plastic miniatures and an excellent action dice system that keeps strategies dynamic and engaging, all in a much shorter playtime.
Sniper Elite: The Board Game
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Fans of the video game series may be surprised by the close-quarters action in this tabletop adaptation, but its charms are undeniable. The stealth elements remain intact as the sniper player tries to move slowly and silently against a ticking clock, while the German player controls roving squads trying to track them down. This game adds a layer of historical authenticity not found in the video game, with thematic components and more realistic combat. With two different boards, various sniper loadouts, and squad specialists, it offers ample replay value and tactical depth.
Twilight Imperium IV
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Few games match the epic scale of Twilight Imperium IV, an all-day sci-fi civilization-building experience. It features a diverse range of aliens researching technology, building fleets, and fighting over a galactic hex map. Diplomacy and in-game political decrees add depth, but the game's strategic core remains robust. The strategy card system, where players choose a special focus each round, is a highlight. This fourth edition streamlines the experience, making it more accessible while retaining its sweeping scope.
Blood Rage
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In Blood Rage, you lead a Viking clan into the end times of Ragnarök, seeking glory for your warriors and a place in Valhalla. Beneath its violent theme and striking components lies a game of strategic subtlety. Draft cards to support your actions, manage your warriors and monsters, and pillage regions to fulfill quests and earn glory. The blind battle card system adds excitement to the frequent clashes with other players. It's a perfect blend of tactical challenge, theme, and outright brutality, making it a classic conflict-based game.
Dune
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Dune, based on Frank Herbert's novel and first released in 1979, is a futuristic game that focuses on hidden information and asymmetrical strategy rather than randomness. Each player represents a faction from the book, with unique special powers. The Atreides can peek at cards during blind auctions, while the Harkonnen know the secret traitors. This new edition features cleaner rules and stunning artwork, offering an immersive experience that captures the narrative and political themes of the novel.
Kemet: Blood and Sand
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Imagine ancient Egyptian gods and mythical creatures battling it out on the desert sands. That's Kemet. The game's tech pyramids allow you to customize your strategy with special powers, while everyone starts with the same battle cards, leading to mind games as you try to outguess your opponent. The fast-paced action and unique board layout mean there's no hiding, making it a thrilling, violent experience.
Star Wars: Rebellion
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Star Wars: Rebellion brings the iconic franchise to your tabletop, with the Rebellion player as the underdog trying to win over planets while surviving the Empire's massive armies. This asymmetric struggle features familiar characters and events, but the narrative unfolds based on your choices. The game's strategic depth ensures each turn is full of challenge and variety.
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear
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Tactical wargames can be bogged down by complexity, but the Conflict of Heroes series strikes the perfect balance. Using action points, dice, and differing front and rear defense values, it offers excitement, realism, and tactical challenge. Starting simple, it expands to include artillery, vehicles, and tanks for a full World War II experience. The command point system, allowing extra actions during your opponent's turn, adds a strategic layer that keeps the game engaging.
Undaunted: Normandy & Undaunted: North Africa
Undaunted: Normandy - See it at Amazon
Undaunted: North Africa - See it at Amazon
Undaunted Stalingrad - See it at Amazon
These games masterfully use deck-building mechanics to simulate infantry combat. Officer cards let you add new units to your deck, mimicking real-world command and supply. Unit cards move corresponding troops on the modular scenario map, engaging in combat and seizing objectives. As casualties mount, your deck thins, reflecting morale erosion. It's an accessible and engaging way to experience the Second World War.
Root
Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right - $59.99 save 25% $44.99 at Amazon
Root is a shorter game that emphasizes asymmetry. Four factions vie for control of the woodland realm, each with unique rules and gameplay. The Marquise de Cat and the Eyrie play conquest games, while the Woodland Folk act as guerrillas, and the Vagabond is a lone trickster-hero. Despite its charming theme and art, it's a strategic game that explores real-world politics and governance.
Twilight Struggle: Red Sea
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The original Twilight Struggle is renowned, but its complexity and length can be daunting. Twilight Struggle: Red Sea retains the compelling card-play mechanics but shortens the playtime to about an hour. It's packed with strategic decisions, and a new scoring mechanic adds excitement. For history enthusiasts, it offers a chance to explore the Cold War's lesser-known East African theater, with real events simulated through the game mechanics and a book of designer's notes.
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game - $64.95 save 21% $50.99 at Amazon
This game captures the political intrigue and backstabbing of the books and TV show. Inspired by Diplomacy, it requires alliances and treachery, as no player can win alone. The secret order system adds tension, and elements from the world of Westeros enhance the strategic depth. It's a must-play for fans of the franchise.
War of the Ring
War of the Ring 2nd Edition - $89.99 save 22% $70.36 at Amazon
For fans of Tolkien, War of the Ring is the definitive board game adaptation. It features two interconnected games: the epic clash of armies across Middle-earth and the Fellowship's quest to destroy the One Ring. The way these two halves interact creates a challenging tactical experience.
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy - $207.00 at Amazon
While Twilight Imperium focuses on warfare and diplomacy, Eclipse emphasizes long-term planning and strategy in sci-fi civilization-building. Its systems for initiative and technology upgrades require foresight as you expand into the galaxy. This tactical depth complements the feeling of exploration, ship design, and combat, making it a strategic and immersive experience.
If you enjoy these games, be sure to explore our selections for the overall best board games and the best board game deals.
What Counts as a Wargame?
In gaming circles, the term "wargame" often refers to games that simulate historical conflicts, a niche but vibrant genre. These games, such as Awakening the Bear and Twilight Struggle: Red Sea, require extensive historical research and often come with detailed map sheets and numerous counters. However, the definition of a wargame can be broader, encompassing games that explore conflict in various forms, from historical simulations to fantasy and sci-fi scenarios. Whether a game qualifies as a wargame can be subjective, but we've included a wide range of conflict-based games to cater to different interests. If you're drawn to a specific type of conflict game, enthusiast sites can provide further exploration and resources.
