The Best War Board Games 2025

War-themed board games offer a thrilling blend of strategy and excitement, captivating players with epic battles and compelling narratives. Whether you prefer a quick evening skirmish or an all-day epic, these games deliver intense strategic challenges. Gather your friends, prepare the snacks, and prepare for an unforgettable gaming experience.

For smoother gameplay in longer games, consider these tips: access a PDF rulebook beforehand for pre-game reading, encourage players to perform administrative tasks outside their turns (like sorting counters), and consider implementing a per-turn time limit with player agreement.

The Best War Board Games

Below are some of the best war board games available, categorized for easier browsing:

Arcs

See it [ttpp]Masterfully blending action and negotiation, Arcs achieves a perfect balance in multiplayer conflict games. Its innovative trick-taking mechanics provide multiple strategic avenues, while the fast-paced spacecraft battles reward aggression. Despite its depth, it offers a complete space empire experience in under two hours, making it an excellent choice, especially with its engaging narrative campaign expansion.

Dune: War for Arrakis

See it at Amazon
A thrilling head-to-head battle for two players, *Dune: War for Arrakis* pits the Atreides against the Harkonnens in a fight for control of the spice. The game features asymmetric gameplay, with the Atreides employing guerilla tactics and the Harkonnens focusing on resource management. Utilizing high-quality miniatures and an action dice system, it provides constant strategic re-evaluation while maintaining a faster pace than some other titles.

Sniper Elite: The Board Game

See it at Amazon
A surprisingly engaging close-quarters combat experience, this adaptation captures the stealth aspects of the video game series. The sniper player must remain undetected against the clock, while the German player's squads hunt them down. Beyond the tension, the game adds historical context through thematic components and realistic combat. Multiple boards and loadout options ensure high replayability.

Twilight Imperium IV

See it at Amazon
An epic, all-day sci-fi civilization-building game. Players control unique alien races, research technology, build fleets, and engage in galactic conquest. Diplomacy, political maneuvering, and strategic card play are central to the experience. This edition streamlines the original while retaining its vast scope and strategic depth.

Blood Rage

See it at Amazon
Control a Viking clan during Ragnarök, striving for glory in Valhalla. This game blends strategic depth with thematic elements and brutal combat. Card drafting, resource management, and blind battle mechanics create a dynamic and engaging experience.

Dune

See it at Amazon
(Not to be confused with *Dune: Imperium*) This adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel is a game of asymmetrical strategy and hidden information. Each faction possesses unique powers, creating a compelling balance of political maneuvering and strategic decision-making. The new edition boasts refined rules and improved artwork.

Kemet: Blood and Sand

See it at Amazon
Experience the brutal clash of ancient Egyptian gods and mythical creatures. Strategic pyramid powers, unique battle cards, and a dynamic board layout create fast-paced, intense combat. Outwit your opponents and claim victory in this relentless struggle.

Star Wars: Rebellion

See it at Amazon
Experience the iconic Star Wars conflict from a strategic perspective. The Rebellion fights for survival and planetary control against the overwhelming might of the Empire. Asymmetric gameplay, familiar characters, and strategic depth combine for a truly engaging experience.

Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear

See it at Amazon
A well-balanced tactical wargame depicting squad-level combat. Simple yet engaging mechanics provide a realistic and challenging experience without sacrificing excitement. The game expands to include artillery, vehicles, and tanks as the conflict unfolds.

Undaunted: Normandy & Undaunted: North Africa & Undaunted: Stalingrad

See it at Amazon
These deck-building games cleverly simulate infantry combat with simple rules. Officer cards add units to your deck, reflecting command and supply, while unit cards represent troop movements and combat. Casualties thin your deck, creating a tense and engaging experience.

Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right

See it at Amazon
A shorter game featuring asymmetric factions vying for woodland control. Each faction boasts unique rules and gameplay, creating diverse strategic challenges. Despite its whimsical theme, Root offers intense strategic depth.

Twilight Struggle: Red Sea

See it at Amazon
A streamlined version of the classic *Twilight Struggle*, offering a shorter playtime while retaining the core card-play and strategic dilemmas. Explore a lesser-known Cold War conflict in East Africa.

A Game of Thrones: The Board Game

See it at Amazon
Experience the political intrigue and backstabbing of Westeros. Alliance building and betrayal are key to success, as only one player can ultimately win. A compelling blend of strategy and social deduction.

War of the Ring 2nd Edition

See it at Amazon
A masterful adaptation of Tolkien's work. The game features two intertwined conflicts: the epic battle across Middle-earth and the Fellowship's quest to destroy the One Ring. A challenging blend of strategic depth and thematic immersion.

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

See it at Amazon
A sci-fi civilization-building game emphasizing strategic planning and technological advancement. Smart initiative and technology systems demand forward thinking, while exploration and combat provide engaging gameplay.

*For more options, explore our selections for the best board games and the best board game deals.*

What Defines a Wargame?

The term "wargame" is often debated within gaming communities. While some strictly define it as a simulation of historical conflicts, others include games simulating potential conflicts or those set in fantasy or sci-fi settings. This list embraces a broader definition, encompassing games exploring conflict from various perspectives, from historical simulation to fantasy diplomacy.