The best board games come in a variety of themes, but war games stand out as some of the most thrilling and engaging options available. These games immerse players in epic battles, where strategic planning and tactical decision-making are key. Whether you're looking for a quick evening of combat or an all-day strategic showdown, these games offer rich experiences filled with intense battle dynamics. Gather your friends, prepare some snacks and drinks, and get ready for an exciting journey through these war-themed board games.

To ensure your longer gaming sessions run smoothly, consider these helpful tips: Download a PDF version of the rulebook, which is often available for free from the game's publisher, and have everyone read it before playing. Encourage players to handle administrative tasks like sorting cards or counters outside of their turns. If everyone agrees, you might also set a time limit for each turn to keep the game moving. Now, let's dive into some of the best war board games on the market.

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 need to balance the action on the board with the negotiations and alliances formed between players. Arcs masterfully blends these elements, as highlighted in our 10/10 review. Its innovative mechanics, inspired by traditional trick-taking card games, provide players with multiple strategic options. Yet, the game still delivers intense spacecraft battles on its circular board, rewarding aggressive play while allowing you to build a comprehensive space empire in under two hours. The narrative campaign expansion adds even more depth to this exceptional game.

Dune: War for Arrakis

### Dune: War for Arrakis

1See it at AmazonDon'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, featuring the noble Atreides and the nefarious Harkonnen fighting over the precious spice. The game is highly asymmetric, pitting the guerrilla tactics of the Atreides and their Fremen allies against the larger, wealthier Harkonnen forces. The Harkonnen player must manage spice harvesting and shipping to maintain economic superiority. Designed by the same team behind War of the Ring, War for Arrakis uses high-quality plastic miniatures and an excellent action dice system, offering dynamic strategy adjustments in a shorter playtime.

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 adaptation, but don't let that deter you from its unique appeal. The game retains the stealth elements, with the sniper player trying to remain undetected while racing against time, and the German player controlling roving squads to track them down. Beyond the escalating tension, the game offers a more historically accurate feel than its video game counterpart, with thematic components and realistic combat. With two different boards and various sniper loadouts and squad specialists, it provides substantial replay value and tactical depth.

Twilight Imperium IV

### Twilight Imperium 4th Edition

8See it at AmazonFew games are as epic as this all-day sci-fi civilization-building experience. It includes everything fans of the genre could want: bizarre alien races researching technology, building fleets, and fighting over a randomly generated galactic hex map. Diplomacy is crucial, but it's built on a solid strategic foundation. The strategy card system, allowing players to choose a special focus each round, is a standout feature. This fourth edition maintains the game's grand scope while streamlining the rules for greater accessibility.

Blood Rage

### Blood Rage

1See it at AmazonIn Blood Rage, players lead Viking clans into the end times of Ragnarök, seeking glory for their warriors and a place in Valhalla. Despite its violent theme and striking components, the game offers significant strategic depth. Players draft cards to support their actions, carefully manage their warriors and monsters to pillage regions and fulfill quests. The blind battle card system adds excitement to the frequent conflicts. A perfect blend of tactical challenge, thematic immersion, and raw brutality, Blood Rage is a definitive war-themed classic.

The Best Boardgame Deals

Dune

### Dune

7See it at AmazonDune offers a different kind of futuristic experience, distinct from Dune: Imperium. Based on Frank Herbert's iconic novel and first released in 1979, it was ahead of its time. The game minimizes randomness, relying instead on a delicate balance of hidden information and asymmetric strategies. Players assume roles of factions from the book, each with unique special powers. The Atreides can peek at auctioned cards, while the Harkonnen know the traitors in play. This new edition features clearer rules and stunning artwork, capturing the novel's political and narrative themes brilliantly.

Kemet: Blood and Sand

### Kemet Blood and Sand

0See it at AmazonImagine ancient Egyptian gods and mythical creatures battling on the desert sands. That's Kemet. The game's tech pyramids allow players to customize their strategy with special powers across attack and defense, integrating these into board play. Everyone starts with the same battle cards, leading to mind games as players try to outguess opponents. The game's fast pace and open board layout mean there's no hiding, making for intense and immediate confrontations.

Star Wars: Rebellion

### Star Wars: Rebellion

14See it at AmazonStar Wars: Rebellion brings the beloved franchise to your table with a focus on asymmetric gameplay. The Rebellion player, as the underdog, must survive militarily while winning planets to their cause, while the Empire uses its vast armies to crush dissent. The game is filled with iconic characters and events, but the narrative unfolds based on your choices. The strategic elements ensure each turn is challenging and varied, making for a deeply engaging experience.

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. Its simple system of action points, dice, and differing front and rear defense values 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 an 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 mechanics to simulate infantry combat with minimal rules. Officer cards let players add new units to their deck, mimicking field orders and supplies. Unit cards move matching troop counters on the modular scenario map, engaging enemies and seizing objectives. Casualties thin the deck, reducing unit effectiveness as morale erodes. These games offer an accessible yet engaging way to relive pivotal World War II battles.

Root

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

18$59.99 save 25%$44.99 at AmazonRoot is one of the shorter games on this list, featuring bold asymmetric design. Four factions vie for control of the woodland realm, each with unique rules and playstyles. The Marquise de Cat and the Eyrie play traditional conquest games, while the Woodland Folk engage in guerrilla warfare and the Vagabond acts as a lone trickster-hero. Despite its charming theme and art, Root is a strategic powerhouse, prompting players to consider real-world political and governance issues.

Twilight Struggle: Red Sea

### Twilight Struggle: Red Sea

0See it at AmazonThe original Twilight Struggle is renowned as one of the best board games, but its complexity and lengthy playtime can be daunting. Red Sea retains the compelling card-play mechanics, where players must navigate their hand and risk triggering events for their opponent. This version shortens playtime to about an hour while maintaining the game's depth. A new scoring mechanic adds excitement, and history buffs can explore the Cold War's lesser-known East African theater, with real historical events woven into the game's mechanics and detailed designer notes.

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 intrigue and betrayal of the books and TV show, borrowing from classic Diplomacy. Only one player can win, but no one can do so alone, making alliances and eventual treachery inevitable. The secret order system adds tension, as intentions remain hidden until the last moment. With additional elements from the world of Westeros, the game offers rich strategic depth and is a must-play for fans of the franchise.

War of the Ring

### War of the Ring 2nd Edition

2$89.99 save 22%$70.36 at AmazonThis game is the best adaptation of Tolkien's work to the board. It features two interconnected games: the epic battle across Middle-earth and the Fellowship's quest to destroy the One Ring. The genius lies in how these two aspects intertwine, requiring players to balance military and stealth strategies. It's a must for Tolkien fans and a testament to strategic game design.

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

### Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy

3$207.00 at AmazonWhile Twilight Imperium focuses on warfare and diplomacy, Eclipse emphasizes strategic planning in sci-fi civilization-building. Systems for initiative and technology upgrades require players to plan several steps ahead while exploring the galaxy, designing ships, and engaging in combat. The game's tactical depth enhances the feeling of cosmic exploration without relying on luck.

If you enjoy these games, be sure to explore our picks for the best overall 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, a niche that sees many releases each year. Games like Awakening the Bear and Twilight Struggle: Red Sea fit this description and are relatively accessible. However, the term can also include games about hypothetical conflicts, those set in historical contexts but not strictly simulations, and even games with fantastical or sci-fi scenarios. We've adopted a broad definition, encompassing games that explore conflict from various perspectives, from historical simulation to fantasy diplomacy. If a specific type of war game interests you, enthusiast sites are available to help you delve deeper into your preferred genre.