War-themed board games offer an exhilarating experience, immersing players in epic battles that can last anywhere from an evening to a full day. These games not only provide thrilling action but also challenge players with intricate battle strategies. To make the most of your gaming session, gather your friends, prepare some snacks and drinks, and get ready for a thrilling journey.
To ensure longer games run smoothly, consider these tips: Download a PDF version of the rulebook, which most publishers offer for free, and have everyone read it beforehand. Encourage players to handle administrative tasks like sorting cards or counters outside their turns. You might also want to set a time limit per turn, if all players agree. Now, let's dive into some of 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 with more than two players often struggle to balance the action on the board with the negotiations and alliances between players. Arcs masterfully blends these elements, as noted in our 10/10 review. Its innovative mechanics, inspired by traditional trick-taking card games, offer multiple strategic options while still delivering intense spacecraft battles on a dynamic, circular board that encourages aggression and discourages defensive play. Remarkably, you can build a full-fledged space empire in under two hours, making it an excellent choice for those interested in its narrative campaign expansion.
### Dune: War for Arrakis
1See it at Amazon
Don't confuse this with the multi-player negotiation game Dune listed later. War for Arrakis is a fast-paced, head-to-head battle for two players, pitting the noble Atreides against the wicked Harkonnen in a fight for control of the precious spice. The game is highly asymmetric, with the Atreides employing guerrilla tactics alongside their Fremen allies and summoned sandworms, while the Harkonnen 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 quality plastic miniatures and an engaging action dice system that keeps strategies fluid and the gameplay brisk.
### 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 its charm is undeniable. The stealth elements are well-preserved, with the sniper player moving slowly and silently against a ticking clock, while the German player controls roving squads trying to detect them. The game adds a historical depth missing from the video game, with thematic components and realistic combat. It includes two different boards and various sniper loadout options and squad specialists, ensuring high replay value and tactical depth.
### Twilight Imperium 4th Edition
8See it at Amazon
This game is the epitome of epic sci-fi civilization building, offering a full-day experience. Players control bizarre alien races, researching technology and building fleets to vie for control of a randomly generated galactic hex map. Diplomacy and political decrees add layers of interaction, but the game's strategic core remains robust. The strategy card system, where players choose a special focus each round, is a standout feature. The fourth edition streamlines the experience, making it more accessible while retaining its grand scope.
### Blood Rage
1See it at Amazon
In Blood Rage, you lead a Viking clan into the end times of Ragnarök, seeking glory through rage, axes, and horns to secure a place in Valhalla. Despite its violent theme and striking components, the game offers deep strategic play. Players draft cards to support their actions, carefully managing warriors and monsters to pillage regions and complete quests for glory. The blind battle card system adds excitement to the frequent clashes with other players. This game is a perfect blend of tactical challenge, thematic immersion, and raw brutality.
The Best Boardgame Deals
### Dune
7See it at Amazon
Dune, based on Frank Herbert's iconic novel and first released in 1979, is a futuristic game that stands out for its minimal randomness and focus on hidden information and asymmetrical strategy. Players assume roles of factions from the book, each with unique powers. For instance, the Atreides can peek at auctioned cards, while the Harkonnen know all secret traitors. This new edition features refined rules and stunning artwork, capturing the novel's narrative and political themes brilliantly.
### Kemet: Blood and Sand
0See it at Amazon
Imagine ancient Egyptian gods and mythical creatures clashing in the desert sands. That's Kemet. The game's tech pyramids allow players to customize their strategy with special powers, while everyone starts with the same battle cards, leading to intense mind games. The board's layout ensures constant action, with no place to hide, making for a fast-paced, violent experience.
### Star Wars: Rebellion
14See it at Amazon
Star Wars: Rebellion brings the beloved franchise to your table with a focus on asymmetric gameplay. The Rebellion player must survive and win over planets, while the Empire uses its vast military to crush dissent. Featuring iconic characters and events, the game allows players to shape the narrative, all while maintaining tight strategic gameplay.
### Conflict of Heroes: Awakening The Bear
0See it at Amazon
Tactical wargames can be bogged down by complexity, but Conflict of Heroes strikes the perfect balance. Using a simple system of action points, dice, and differing defense values, it offers excitement, realism, and tactical challenge. The game starts simple but expands to include artillery, vehicles, and tanks for a comprehensive World War II experience. The command point system, allowing extra actions during your opponent's turn, adds a layer of strategic depth.
### Undaunted: Normandy
5See it at Amazon
### Undaunted: North Africa
3See it at Amazon
### Undaunted: Stalingrad
1See it at Amazon
The Undaunted series uses deck-building mechanics to simulate infantry combat with minimal rules. Officer cards allow players to add new units to their deck, representing the issuing of orders and supplies. Unit cards move corresponding troops on the modular scenario map, engaging in combat and capturing objectives. As casualties mount, decks thin, reflecting the erosion of morale under fire. These games offer an accessible yet engaging way to experience World War II battles.
### Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right
18$59.99 save 25%$44.99 at Amazon
Root is a shorter game that emphasizes asymmetry, with four factions vying for control of a woodland realm, each with unique rules and gameplay. The Marquise de Cat and the Eyrie engage in traditional conquest, while the Woodland Folk fight as guerrillas, and the Vagabond operates as a lone trickster-hero. Despite its whimsical theme and art, Root is a strategic game that explores real-world political and governance themes.
### Twilight Struggle: Red Sea
0See it at Amazon
The original Twilight Struggle is renowned for its complexity and length, but Red Sea condenses the experience into about an hour. It retains the compelling card-play mechanics, where players must navigate their hand while deciding whether to trigger events that could benefit their opponent. A new scoring mechanic adds excitement, and the game delves into the lesser-known Cold War dynamics in East Africa, with historical events reflected in the game's mechanics.
### 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's concept where only one player can win, but no one can do so alone. Alliances and betrayals are inevitable, governed by a secret order system that keeps players guessing. The game adds strategic depth with elements from the world of Westeros, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise.
### War of the Ring 2nd Edition
2$89.99 save 22%$70.36 at Amazon
This game is the best adaptation of Tolkien's work, featuring two intertwined games on the same board. One is the epic clash of armies across Middle-earth, while the other is the Fellowship's quest to destroy the One Ring. The game's genius lies in how these two elements interact, creating a challenging tactical balance for players.
### Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy
3$207.00 at Amazon
While Twilight Imperium focuses on warfare and diplomacy, Eclipse emphasizes long-term strategy in sci-fi civilization building. Its systems for initiative and technology upgrades require players to plan several steps ahead as they expand into the galaxy. The game maintains the thrill of exploration and combat, but success hinges more on strategic planning than luck.
If you enjoy these games, be sure to explore our picks for the best overall 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 genre that requires extensive research and often results in high-priced products with detailed maps and counters. Examples from our list include Awakening the Bear and Twilight Struggle: Red Sea, which are on the more accessible side of this genre.
However, the definition of a wargame can be broader, encompassing games that simulate potential or fictional conflicts, such as a Cold War turning into World War III, or games like Undaunted that use historical settings without aiming for simulation. Even games set in entirely fantastic or sci-fi scenarios can be considered wargames by some. We've adopted a wide definition, including games that explore conflict from various perspectives, from historical simulations to fantasy diplomacy. If you're interested in a specific type of conflict game, enthusiast sites can provide further exploration.
