The best board games come in a variety of themes, but war is one of the most popular for a good reason. War board games offer an exhilarating experience filled with epic battles and deep strategic gameplay. Whether you're looking for a quick evening showdown or an all-day epic, these games won't disappoint. Gather your friends, prepare some snacks and drinks, and get ready for a thrilling journey into battle strategy.
For smoother gameplay in longer sessions, consider these tips: Download a PDF version of the rulebook, which is often available for free from 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 per turn can also keep the game moving. Now, let's dive into the games!
0 See it War games with more than two players must balance the action on the board with the negotiations and alliances between players. Arcs achieves an exceptional balance, as highlighted in our 10/10 review. Its innovative mechanics, inspired by trick-taking card games, offer multiple strategic options, while the circular board encourages aggressive play and discourages defensive strategies. Despite its rich features, you can build a full space empire in under two hours, making it ideal for those who also want to explore the narrative campaign expansion.
1 See it at Amazon Don't confuse this with the multi-player negotiation game Dune further down the list. War for Arrakis is a head-to-head battle for two players, featuring the noble Atreides and the wicked Harkonnen fighting for control of the precious spice. This game is highly asymmetric, with the Atreides employing guerrilla tactics and their Fremen allies, while the Harkonnen focus on harvesting and shipping spice to maintain their economic advantage. Designed by the same team behind War of the Ring, it uses quality plastic miniatures and an engaging action dice system that forces constant strategic reevaluation, but in a much faster playtime.
1 See it at Amazon Fans of the video game series might be surprised by the close-quarters action in this tabletop adaptation, but it's full of charm. The stealth elements are preserved, with the sniper player navigating silently against a ticking clock, while the German player controls roving squads trying to detect them. Beyond the escalating tension, the game adds a historical veneer lacking in the video game, featuring thematic components and more realistic combat. With two different boards and various sniper loadouts and squad specialists, it offers ample replay value and tactical decision-making.
8 See it at Amazon This game is the epitome of epic, offering an all-day experience of sci-fi civilization building. It features a diverse range of aliens researching technology and building fleets to battle over a galactic hex map. Inter-player diplomacy and in-game political decrees add depth, but the game's strategic core is robust, particularly with the strategy card system that lets players focus on a special action each round. The fourth edition maintains its sweeping scope while becoming more accessible by trimming excess complexity.
1 See it at Amazon In Blood Rage, you lead a Viking clan into the end times of Ragnarök, aiming to gain glory for your warriors and a place in Valhalla. Despite its violent theme and impressive components, the game offers strategic depth. You draft cards to support your actions, carefully managing your warriors and monsters to pillage regions and fulfill quests for glory. The blind battle card system adds excitement to the frequent clashes with other players. This game masterfully blends tactical challenge, theme, and brutality, making it a classic conflict-based board game.
7 See it at Amazon Dune offers a unique futuristic experience distinct from Dune: Imperium. Based on Frank Herbert's novel and first released in 1979, it was ahead of its time. The game focuses on a balance of hidden information and asymmetrical strategy, with each player representing a faction from the book and wielding unique powers. The Atreides can peek at auctioned cards, while the Harkonnen know all secret traitors. This new edition features streamlined rules and stunning artwork, effectively capturing the narrative and political themes of the novel.
0 See it at Amazon Imagine ancient Egyptian gods and mythical creatures battling on the desert sands. That's Kemet. The game allows you to tailor your strategy with tech pyramids offering special powers for attack and defense. Everyone starts with the same battle cards, leading to mind games as you try to outguess your opponents. The unique board layout ensures fast-paced action, with no room to hide, resulting in intense and immediate combat.
14 See it at Amazon Star Wars: Rebellion recreates the iconic franchise on your tabletop. The Rebellion player, as the underdog, must survive military threats while winning planets to their cause. The Empire, with its powerful armies, aims to crush any dissent. This asymmetric struggle is filled with well-known characters and events from the movies, allowing players to craft their own narrative within a tightly woven strategic framework, ensuring each turn is challenging and varied.
0 See it at Amazon Tactical wargames that focus on squad or individual soldier levels can be complex, but Conflict of Heroes strikes the perfect balance. Using a simple system of action points, dice, and differing defense values, it delivers 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 feels impactful.
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1 See it at Amazon While not a simulation, the Undaunted series cleverly uses deck-building to represent infantry combat tactics. Officer cards allow you to add new units to your deck, simulating the issuing of orders and supplies. Unit cards move corresponding troop counters on the modular scenario map, engaging in combat and capturing objectives. As casualties mount, your deck thins, reflecting the erosion of morale under fire. This series offers an accessible and engaging way to experience World War II battles.
18 $59.99 save 25% $44.99 at Amazon Root is one of the shorter games on this list, yet it's a bold design emphasizing asymmetry. Four factions vie for control of a woodland realm, each with unique rules and gameplay. The Marquise de Cat and the Eyrie engage in conquest, while the Woodland Folk act as guerrilla fighters, and the Vagabond plays the lone trickster-hero. Despite its cute theme, Root is a strategic game that raises questions about politics and governance.
0 See it at Amazon The original Twilight Struggle is renowned, but its complexity and length can be daunting. Red Sea retains the compelling card-play mechanic, where players navigate dilemmas about triggering events for their opponents, but condenses the playtime to about an hour. A new scoring mechanic heightens the excitement, and history buffs can delve into the Cold War's East African theater, with real historical events integrated into the game's mechanics.
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 betrayal inevitable. The secret order system keeps everyone guessing until the last moment. Enhanced with elements from the world of Westeros, it's a must-play for fans and a strategic gem in its own right.
2 $89.99 save 22% $70.36 at Amazon The best board game adaptation of Tolkien's work, War of the Ring features two interwoven games on the same board. One is the epic clash of armies across Middle-earth, while the other follows the Fellowship's quest to destroy the One Ring. The game's genius lies in how these two halves interact, creating a challenging tactical balance for players.
3 $207.00 at Amazon While Twilight Imperium focuses on warfare and diplomacy, Eclipse emphasizes long-term strategy in sci-fi civilization-building. With smart systems for initiative and technology upgrades, players must plan ahead while expanding into the galaxy. The tactical depth enhances the feeling of exploration, ship design, and combat, requiring strategic foresight over reliance on luck.
If you enjoy these games, explore our picks for the best overall board games and the best board game deals.
In gaming circles, "wargame" often refers to games that simulate historical conflicts, a niche genre requiring detailed research, as seen in titles like Awakening the Bear and Twilight Struggle: Red Sea. However, the term can also include games simulating hypothetical or science-fiction conflicts, like those in the Undaunted series. We define wargames broadly as games exploring conflict from various perspectives, from historical simulations to fantasy diplomacy. If you're interested in specific types of conflict games, enthusiast sites can guide you further.
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