Top War Board Games of 2025 Revealed

The world of board gaming offers a vast array of themes, but few are as thrilling and engaging as war-themed games. These games plunge players into epic battles, demanding strategic prowess and tactical finesse. Whether you're looking for a quick skirmish or an all-day saga, the following selection of war board games promises intense combat and deep strategic gameplay. Perfect for a gathering with friends, these games are best enjoyed with ample snacks and drinks, ready for a thrilling, long-haul experience.

To ensure your longer gaming sessions run smoothly, consider these tips: Obtain a PDF of the rulebook beforehand, as most publishers offer them for free. Encourage everyone to read it before game night. Also, suggest players handle administrative tasks like sorting their hands or counters outside their turns to keep the game flowing. If all players agree, you might even set a time limit per turn to maintain momentum. 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

0See it War games that accommodate more than two players must balance the action on the board with the negotiations and alliances between players. Arcs masterfully blends these elements, as highlighted in our 10/10 review. Its innovative mechanics, inspired by the classic trick-taking card game, offer multiple strategic options while still delivering exhilarating spacecraft battles on its circular board. This design encourages aggression and minimizes defensive play. Remarkably, Arcs allows you to build a space empire in under two hours, making it an excellent choice for those eager to explore its narrative campaign expansion.

Dune: War for Arrakis

1See it at Amazon Not to be confused with the multi-player negotiation game Dune further down the list, Dune: War for Arrakis is a fierce, head-to-head battle for two players. As the noble Atreides and the nefarious Harkonnen, players vie for control of the precious spice. The game is highly asymmetric, with the Atreides employing guerrilla tactics, aided by Fremen allies and summoned sandworms, against the larger, wealthier Harkonnen forces. The Harkonnen player must also manage spice harvesting and shipping to maintain their economic advantage. Designed by the same team behind War of the Ring, this game uses quality plastic miniatures and an engaging action dice system that necessitates constant strategy reassessment, all while being quicker to play.

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 needing to move slowly and silently against a ticking clock, evading the German player's roving squads. The game adds an extra layer of historical authenticity and realistic combat, distinguishing it from its video game counterpart. With two different boards and a variety of sniper loadout options and squad specialists, Sniper Elite offers extensive replay value and tactical depth.

Twilight Imperium IV

8See it at Amazon Few games are as epic as this sci-fi civilization-building marathon. Twilight Imperium IV encompasses everything you could want from the genre: bizarre aliens researching technology, building fleets, and fighting over a randomly generated galactic hex map. Inter-player diplomacy and in-game political decrees add depth, but the game's strategic core is rock-solid. The strategy card system, where players choose a special focus each round, is particularly brilliant. This fourth edition maintains the game's sweeping scope while trimming excess, making it more accessible.

Blood Rage

1See it at Amazon In Blood Rage, you lead a Viking clan into the end times of Ragnarök, striving for glory to secure a place in Valhalla. Despite its violent theme and striking components, the game offers strategic depth. You'll draft cards to support your actions, carefully managing your warriors and monsters to pillage regions and fulfill quests. The blind battle card system adds excitement to the frequent skirmishes. Blood Rage is a perfect blend of tactical challenge, theme, and outright brutality, cementing its status as a classic conflict-based game.

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Dune

7See it at Amazon Dune, not to be confused with Dune: Imperium, is a unique futuristic game based on Frank Herbert's renowned novel. Released in 1979, it was ahead of its time. With minimal randomness, the game thrives on hidden information and asymmetrical strategies. Each player assumes the role of a faction from the book, 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, capturing the novel's narrative and political themes masterfully.

Kemet: Blood and Sand

0See it at Amazon Imagine ancient Egyptian gods and mythical creatures clashing in the desert sands. That's Kemet. The tech pyramids allow you to customize your strategy with special powers, enhancing both attack and defense. Everyone starts with the same battle cards, leading to mind games as you try to outguess your opponents. The game's fast pace and peculiar board layout ensure constant action, with no place to hide, making it a thrilling experience of out-and-out violence.

Star Wars: Rebellion

14See it at Amazon Star Wars: Rebellion brings the beloved franchise to your table with a strategic twist. As the underdog Rebellion, you must survive militarily while winning planets to your cause, while the Empire uses its vast armies to crush dissent. This asymmetric struggle is filled with familiar characters and events, but the narrative unfolds according to your choices. The game's tight strategic elements ensure every turn is challenging and varied.

Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear

0See it at Amazon Tactical wargames can be bogged down by complexity, but the Conflict of Heroes series strikes the perfect balance. Using a simple system of action points, dice, and differing defense values, it offers excitement, realism, and tactical challenge. Starting with basic mechanics, it expands to include artillery, vehicles, and tanks, providing a comprehensive World War 2 experience. The command point system, allowing extra actions during your opponent's turn, adds a brilliant layer of strategy.

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 to simulate infantry combat with minimal rules. Officer cards allow you to add new units to your deck, representing the issuing of orders and supplies. These unit cards move troop counters on the modular scenario map, engaging in firefights and capturing objectives. As casualties thin your deck, units become less effective, adding tension to the game. The series offers an accessible and engaging way to refight the Second World War.

Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right

18$59.99 save 25%$44.99 at Amazon Root is a shorter, asymmetric game where four factions vie for control of a woodland realm. 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 delves into real-world politics and governance.

Twilight Struggle: Red Sea

0See it at Amazon The original Twilight Struggle is renowned for its complexity and length, but Twilight Struggle: Red Sea condenses the experience into a more manageable hour-long game. Retaining the compelling card-play mechanic, players navigate their hands while facing dilemmas about triggering events for their opponent. A new scoring mechanic adds excitement, and history buffs will appreciate exploring the Cold War in East Africa, with real events simulated through the game's mechanics.

A Game of Thrones: The Board Game

2$64.95 save 21%$50.99 at Amazon A Game of Thrones: The Board Game captures the political intrigue and backstabbing of the books and TV show. Borrowing from Diplomacy, the game ensures that only one player can win, but no one has the resources to do so alone, necessitating alliances and eventual betrayals. The secret order system keeps players guessing, while elements from the world of Westeros add strategic depth. It's a must-play for fans of the franchise.

War of the Ring

2$89.99 save 22%$70.36 at Amazon War of the Ring is the definitive board game adaptation of Tolkien's 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 game's genius lies in how these two elements intertwine, creating a challenging tactical balance for players to navigate.

Eclipse: Second 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. Its systems for initiative and technology upgrades require players to think several steps ahead as they expand into the galaxy. The tactical depth enhances the feeling of exploration and ship design, making success depend more on strategic preparation than luck.

If you enjoy these games, explore 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 to games that simulate historical conflicts, requiring extensive research and often commanding high prices. Titles like Awakening the Bear and Twilight Struggle: Red Sea fit this niche, offering approachable entry points into the genre.

However, the term also encompasses games that simulate potential or fictional conflicts, like the Cold War escalating into World War 3, or those that use historical settings without aiming for simulation, such as Undaunted. Even games based on entirely fantastic or sci-fi scenarios can be considered wargames by some enthusiasts.

Ultimately, we use the broadest definition possible: games that explore conflict from various perspectives, from historical simulation to fantasy diplomacy. If a specific type of conflict game intrigues you, enthusiast websites can provide deeper exploration.