War-themed board games offer a thrilling mix of strategy, epic battles, and engaging narratives, making them a favorite among gamers. Whether you're looking for a quick evening clash or an all-day strategic marathon, these games promise intense battle experiences without skimping on tactical depth. Gather your friends, prepare some snacks and drinks, and brace yourselves for a gripping adventure into the world of war gaming.
Here are some tips to ensure your longer game sessions run smoothly: Consider downloading a PDF of the rulebook (many are freely available online) and have everyone read it beforehand. Encourage players to handle administrative tasks like sorting their cards or counters outside their turn to keep the game flowing. You might also agree on a time limit per turn to maintain momentum. Now, let's dive into the best war board games on the market.
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
0See it War games that accommodate more than two players often struggle to balance the action on the board with the negotiation and alliances among players. Arcs excels in blending these elements seamlessly, earning a perfect 10/10 in our review. Its innovative mechanics, inspired by traditional trick-taking card games, offer multiple strategic options. Yet, it also delivers exhilarating spacecraft battles on a dynamic, circular board that encourages aggressive play over defensive tactics. Despite its rich features, you can build a full-fledged space empire in under two hours, making it an ideal choice even for those considering the narrative campaign expansion.
Dune: War for Arrakis
1See it at Amazon Don't mistake this for the multi-player negotiation game Dune listed further down; War for Arrakis is a head-to-head battle for two players, pitting the noble Atreides against the nefarious Harkonnen for control of the precious spice. This highly asymmetric game showcases the guerrilla tactics of the Atreides and their Fremen allies, along with summoned sandworms, against the larger, wealthier Harkonnen forces. The Harkonnen player must manage spice harvesting and shipping to maintain their economic edge. Designed by the same team behind War of the Ring, this game uses quality plastic miniatures and an excellent action dice system that requires constant strategic reassessment, but plays much faster.
Sniper Elite: The Board Game
1See it at Amazon Fans of the video game series might be surprised by the close-quarters action in this tabletop adaptation, but don't let that deter you. The game retains the stealth elements, with the sniper player moving slowly and silently against a ticking clock, while the German player controls roving squads attempting to uncover them. The escalating tension, combined with a sense of historical authenticity, sets this game apart from its video game counterpart. It includes two different boards and a variety of sniper loadouts and squad specialists, offering high replay value and deep tactical decisions.
Twilight Imperium IV
8See it at Amazon This game epitomizes epic sci-fi civilization-building, offering an all-day experience filled with bizarre aliens researching technology, building fleets, and battling over a randomly generated galactic hex map. Beyond inter-player diplomacy, there are in-game political decrees to vote on. The strategy card system, allowing each player to choose a special focus each round, adds a strategic depth that underpins the game's sweeping scope. This fourth edition streamlines the gameplay, making it more accessible while retaining its grandeur.
Blood Rage
1See it at Amazon In Blood Rage, you lead a Viking clan into the apocalyptic Ragnarök, vying for glory through rage, axes, and horns to secure a place in Valhalla. Beneath its violent exterior and impressive components lies a game of strategic subtlety. Players draft cards to plan their actions, manage limited warriors and monsters to pillage regions and fulfill quests, all while competing with others using an exciting blind battle card system. It's a perfect blend of tactical challenge, thematic immersion, and outright brutality, marking it as a definitive conflict-based classic.
The Best Boardgame Deals
Dune
7See it at Amazon Dune offers a unique futuristic experience, distinct from Dune: Imperium. Based on Frank Herbert's novel and originally released in 1979, it was ahead of its time. The game features minimal randomness, focusing instead on a delicate balance of hidden information and asymmetric strategy. Players assume roles of factions from the book, each with unique powers, such as the Atreides' ability to peek at auctioned cards or the Harkonnen's knowledge of secret traitors. This new edition offers cleaner rules and stunning artwork, beautifully capturing the narrative and political themes of the novel.
Kemet: Blood and Sand
0See it at Amazon Imagine ancient Egypt's gods and mythical creatures descending to the desert sands for a brutal showdown—that's Kemet. The game's tech pyramids allow you to tailor your strategy with special powers across attack and defense, which you then apply on the board. With everyone starting with the same battle cards, the game becomes a mind game of out-guessing your opponent's plays and discards. The unique board layout ensures fast-paced, relentless violence, with no place to hide.
Star Wars: Rebellion
14See it at Amazon Star Wars: Rebellion brings the beloved franchise to your table in a unique way. As the Rebellion player, you're the underdog, striving to survive and win over planets, while the Empire player commands vast armies to crush any dissent. This asymmetric struggle is filled with iconic characters and events from the movies, but the narrative unfolds according to your choices. The game's tight strategic mechanics ensure each turn is challenging and varied.
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear
0See it at Amazon Tactical wargames often struggle with over-complex systems, but Conflict of Heroes strikes the right balance. It uses a straightforward system of action points, dice, and varying defense values to deliver excitement, realism, and tactical challenge. Starting simple, it expands to include artillery, vehicles, and tanks for a comprehensive World War 2 experience. The command point system, allowing extra actions during your opponent's turn, adds a strategic layer that makes every point spent feel crucial.
Undaunted: Normandy
5See it at Amazon
Undaunted: North Africa
3See it at Amazon
Undaunted Stalingrad
1See it at Amazon Undaunted games masterfully use deck-building to simulate infantry combat with just a few rules. Officer cards let you add new units to your deck, mimicking the issuing of orders and supplies. These unit cards move troop counters on the modular scenario map, engaging in combat and seizing objectives. As casualties mount, your deck thins, reflecting the erosion of morale under fire. This series offers an accessible yet engaging way to relive World War 2 battles.
Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right
18$59.99 save 25%$44.99 at Amazon Root is one of the shorter games on our list, but its bold design and asymmetry make it stand out. Four factions vie for control of a woodland realm, each with unique rules and playstyles. From the Marquise de Cat and the Eyrie's traditional conquest games to the Woodland Folk's guerrilla tactics and the Vagabond's lone heroics, Root offers a brutal strategy game wrapped in a charming theme. It's a game that raises big questions about politics and governance.
Twilight Struggle: Red Sea
0See it at Amazon The original Twilight Struggle is considered one of the best board games ever, but its complexity and lengthy playtime can be daunting. Red Sea retains the compelling card-play mechanics, where players face dilemmas about triggering events that might benefit their opponents, but in a condensed hour-long format. A new scoring mechanic adds excitement, and history buffs will appreciate exploring the lesser-known Cold War events in East Africa, with detailed designer notes to enhance the experience.
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game
2$64.95 save 21%$50.99 at Amazon This game captures the political intrigue and backstabbing of the books and TV show. Borrowing from Diplomacy, only one player can win, but no one can do so alone, making alliances and eventual betrayal inevitable. The secret order system keeps players guessing until the last moment. Enhanced with elements from the world of Westeros, it's a must-play for fans of the franchise.
War of the Ring 2nd Edition
2$89.99 save 22%$70.36 at Amazon For fans of Tolkien, War of the Ring is the best board game adaptation of his work. It brilliantly divides into 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 interweave creates a challenging tactical balance that players must master.
Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy
3$207.00 at Amazon While Twilight Imperium focuses on warfare and diplomacy, Eclipse emphasizes long-term strategic planning in sci-fi civilization-building. Systems for initiative and technology upgrades require players to think several steps ahead as they explore the galaxy, design ships, and engage enemies. This tactical depth enhances the feeling of cosmic exploration without relying on luck.
If you enjoy these games, be sure to explore our selections for the best board games overall and the best board game deals.
What Counts as a Wargame?
In gaming communities, the term "wargame" often refers specifically to games that simulate historical conflicts. These niche games, like Awakening the Bear and Twilight Struggle: Red Sea from our list, require extensive historical research and often come with detailed map sheets and numerous cardboard counters. However, the term can also include games that simulate potential or fictional conflicts, such as those set during the Cold War or in fantasy and sci-fi settings. We've adopted a broad definition, encompassing games that explore conflict from various perspectives, from historical simulations to fantasy diplomacy. If you're interested in a particular type of conflict game, there are enthusiast sites dedicated to helping you delve deeper into that niche.
