The Best War Board Games 2025

The best board games come in a variety of themes, but war-themed games are particularly thrilling and popular for their intense strategic depth and epic battles. Whether you're looking for a game that can be enjoyed in a single evening or one that might stretch into an all-day adventure, these selections will immerse you in the excitement of warfare and strategic planning. Gather your friends, prepare some snacks and drinks, and get ready for an engaging and thrilling experience.

Here are a few tips to ensure your longer games run smoothly: If possible, download a PDF copy of the rulebook, which most publishers offer for free, and have everyone read it beforehand. Encourage players to handle "admin" tasks, such as sorting their hands or counters, outside of their turns. Consider setting a time limit per turn if all players agree. Now, let's dive into the games!

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

### Arcs

0See itWar games involving more than two players often struggle to balance the action on the board with the negotiations and alliances that occur between players. Arcs masterfully blends these elements, earning a perfect 10/10 in our review. Its innovative mechanics, inspired by classic trick-taking card games, offer multiple strategic options. The game's circular board encourages aggressive play and rewards bold moves, yet still allows you to build a full-fledged space empire in under two hours. This makes it perfect for those looking to explore the brilliant narrative campaign expansion.

Dune: War for Arrakis

### Dune: War for Arrakis

1See it at AmazonDon't mix up this game with the multiplayer negotiation game "Dune" further down the list. "War for Arrakis" is a head-to-head duel for two players, where the noble Atreides and the sinister Harkonnen vie for control of the precious spice. It's highly asymmetric, with the guerrilla warfare of the Atreides, their Fremen allies, and summoned sandworms clashing against the larger, wealthier forces of the Harkonnen. The Harkonnen player must focus on harvesting and shipping spice to maintain economic dominance. Designed by the same team behind "War of the Ring," this game uses quality plastic miniatures and an excellent action dice system, requiring constant strategic reevaluation, yet it plays much faster.

Sniper Elite: The Board Game

### Sniper Elite: The Board Game

1See it at AmazonFans of the video game series might be surprised by the close-quarters action in this tabletop version, but don't let that deter you. The stealth elements are fully preserved, with the sniper player needing to remain slow and silent against a ticking clock and the German player's roving squads. This game adds a historical veneer absent in the video game, with thematic components and realistic combat. It includes two different boards and various sniper loadout options and squad specialists for the German player, ensuring high replay value and tactical engagement.

Twilight Imperium IV

### Twilight Imperium 4th Edition

8See it at AmazonFor an epic experience, few games compare to this all-day affair of sci-fi civilization building. It features a range of bizarre aliens researching technology and building fleets to fight over a random galactic hex map. Diplomacy and in-game political decrees add layers of complexity, but the game's strategic core remains solid. The strategy card system, where players choose a special focus each round, is particularly innovative. This fourth edition maintains its vast scope while trimming unnecessary elements, making it more accessible.

Blood Rage

### Blood Rage

1See it at AmazonIn "Blood Rage," you lead a Viking clan into the end times of Ragnarök, seeking glory through rage, axes, and horns. Despite its violent theme and stunning components, the game offers strategic depth. You'll draft cards to support your actions each round, managing your warriors and monsters to pillage regions and fulfill quests for glory. The blind battle card system adds excitement to the frequent conflicts. A perfect blend of tactical challenge, thematic immersion, and outright brutality, this game is a conflict-based classic.

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Dune

### Dune

7See it at AmazonThis futuristic game, based on Frank Herbert's novel and first released in 1979, was ahead of its time. "Dune" focuses on a delicate balance of hidden information and asymmetrical strategy. Each player controls a faction with unique powers, such as the Atreides, who can peek at auctioned cards, and the Harkonnen, who know all secret traitors. The result is a captivating reflection of the novel's narrative and political themes. The new edition features cleaner rules and stunning artwork.

Kemet: Blood and Sand

### Kemet Blood and Sand

0See it at AmazonImagine ancient Egyptian gods and mythical creatures clashing in the desert. That's "Kemet." The game's tech pyramids allow you to tailor your strategy with special powers, and the shared battle cards lead to intense mind games as you try to outguess your opponents. The board's layout ensures constant action, with no room to hide, leading to fast-paced, brutal encounters.

Star Wars: Rebellion

### Star Wars: Rebellion

14See it at Amazon"Star Wars: Rebellion" brings the beloved franchise to your table with a focus on the asymmetric struggle between the underdog Rebellion and the powerful Empire. The Rebellion player must survive militarily while winning over planets, while the Empire crushes dissent with vast armies. The game weaves together familiar characters and events with strategic depth, ensuring each turn is full of challenge and variety.

Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear

### Conflict of Heroes: Awakening The Bear

0See it at AmazonTactical wargames can be complex, but "Conflict of Heroes" strikes the perfect balance with a simple system of action points, dice, and differing front and rear defense values. It offers excitement, realism, and tactical challenge, expanding 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 thrilling layer of strategy.

Undaunted: Normandy & Undaunted: North Africa

### Undaunted: Normandy

5See it at Amazon### Undaunted: North Africa

3See it at Amazon### Undaunted Stalingrad

1See it at AmazonThese games brilliantly use deck building to simulate infantry combat with just a few rules. Officer cards add new units to your deck, mimicking real-world orders and supplies. Unit cards move troop counters on the modular scenario map, fighting enemies and seizing objectives. Casualties thin your deck, reflecting morale erosion. These games offer an accessible and engaging way to relive World War II battles.

Root

### Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right

18$59.99 save 25%$44.99 at Amazon"Root" is a shorter game with bold asymmetric design. Four factions, each with unique rules and feel, fight for control of the woodland realm. The Marquise de Cat and the Eyrie play traditional conquest games, while the Woodland Folk are guerrilla fighters and the Vagabond is a lone trickster-hero. Despite its cute theme, "Root" is a strategic game that raises big questions about politics and governance.

Twilight Struggle: Red Sea

### Twilight Struggle: Red Sea

0See it at AmazonThe original "Twilight Struggle" is renowned, but its complexity and long playtime can be daunting. "Red Sea" retains the core card-play but reduces playtime to about an hour. It's full of challenging decisions, with a new scoring mechanic adding excitement. History buffs can explore the Cold War in East Africa, with real historical events simulated through the game mechanics and a book of designer's notes for context.

A Game of Thrones: The Board Game

### A Game of Thrones: The Board Game

2$64.95 save 21%$50.99 at AmazonThis game captures the political intrigue and betrayal of the "Game of Thrones" series, using a secret order system where intentions remain hidden until it's too late. Only one player can win, but no one can succeed alone, making alliances and eventual treachery inevitable. The game is enriched with elements from the world of Westeros, making it a must-play for fans.

War of the Ring

### War of the Ring 2nd Edition

2$89.99 save 22%$70.36 at AmazonFor fans of Tolkien, "War of the Ring" is the best board game adaptation. It features a dual gameplay on the same board: the epic clash of armies across Middle-earth and the quest of the Fellowship to destroy the One Ring. The interwoven nature of these two elements creates a challenging tactical balancing act.

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

### Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy

3$207.00 at Amazon"Eclipse" emphasizes long-term strategy in sci-fi civilization building, with smart systems for initiative and technology upgrades. As you expand from your starting hex into the galaxy, you must plan several steps ahead. Tactical depth enhances the feeling of exploration and combat, relying more on strategy than luck.

If you enjoy these games, be sure to check out our picks 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 specifically to games simulating historical conflicts, a niche interest with many new titles released annually. These games, like "Awakening the Bear" and "Twilight Struggle: Red Sea," require extensive historical research and often come with detailed maps and counters. However, the term also encompasses games that explore hypothetical conflicts or those set in fantasy or sci-fi worlds. While some gamers debate what counts as a true "wargame," we adopt a broader definition, including games that delve into conflict from various perspectives, from historical simulations to fantasy diplomacy. For those interested in specific subgenres, enthusiast sites offer further exploration.