The Best War Board Games 2025

This guide explores the best war board games, offering a diverse range of themes and gameplay experiences. From intense head-to-head battles to sprawling, multi-player conflicts, these games provide epic strategic challenges. Whether you prefer a quick evening session or an all-day affair, there's something here for every wargame enthusiast. Gather your friends, prepare your snacks, and prepare for a thrilling strategic battle!

Here are some tips for smoother, longer gameplay: Obtain a PDF rulebook (many publishers offer free downloads) and encourage players to pre-read. Insist players perform administrative tasks (like sorting cards) outside their turns. Consider implementing a per-turn time limit with mutual agreement.

Top War Board Games:

Arcs: A superbly innovative game blending trick-taking mechanics with intense spacecraft battles. It strikes a perfect balance between strategic maneuvering and direct conflict, all within a surprisingly short playtime.

Dune: War for Arrakis: A fierce, two-player duel between the Atredies and Harkonnens for control of Arrakis. Highly asymmetric factions, quality miniatures, and an excellent dice system create a constantly evolving strategic landscape.

Sniper Elite: The Board Game: A tense, close-quarters stealth game that captures the essence of the video game series. Features historical setting, thematic components, and multiple scenarios for high replayability.

Twilight Imperium IV: An epic, all-day sci-fi civilization-building game. Features diverse alien races, technology research, fleet building, diplomacy, and political intrigue. The fourth edition streamlines gameplay while retaining the game's massive scope.

Blood Rage: A Viking-themed game of strategic subtlety and brutal combat. Players draft cards, manage resources, and engage in blind battle card fights to gain glory and a place in Valhalla.

Dune: A complex, asymmetrical game based on Frank Herbert's novel. Features hidden information, unique faction powers, and a focus on political maneuvering and strategic depth.

Kemet: Blood and Sand: A fast-paced, violent game set in ancient Egypt. Players control gods and mythical creatures, battling for supremacy using unique pyramid powers and strategic card play.

Star Wars: Rebellion: An asymmetric game where the Rebellion fights for survival against the overwhelming power of the Empire. Features iconic characters and events, offering a dynamic narrative experience.

Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear: A tactical wargame focusing on squad-level combat during World War II. Balances realism, excitement, and tactical depth with a simple yet engaging system.

Undaunted: Normandy, Undaunted: North Africa, Undaunted: Stalingrad: Deck-building wargames that capture the essence of infantry combat. Simple rules, tense firefights, and a focus on strategic card play.

Root: An asymmetric game where four factions vie for control of a woodland realm. Features unique faction abilities, political intrigue, and a blend of conquest and guerrilla warfare.

Twilight Struggle: Red Sea: A streamlined version of the classic Twilight Struggle, offering a shorter playtime while retaining the core card-play and strategic dilemmas.

A Game of Thrones: The Board Game: A game of political intrigue and backstabbing, mirroring the themes of the books and TV show. Features alliances, treachery, and a secret order system.

War of the Ring: A two-part game recreating the epic struggle between good and evil in Middle-earth. Features a brilliant interplay between the large-scale battles and the Fellowship's quest.

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy: A sci-fi civilization-building game emphasizing long-term strategic planning. Features technology upgrades, ship design, and exploration of the galaxy.

What Counts as a Wargame?

The term "wargame" is often debated within gaming circles. While some strictly define it as historical conflict simulations, this guide adopts a broader definition, encompassing games that explore conflict from various perspectives, including historical simulations, fantasy diplomacy, and science fiction scenarios. Numerous enthusiast sites cater to those seeking more specialized wargame genres.