Top War Strategy Board Games of 2025

The world of board games is vast and varied, but war-themed games hold a special allure for many enthusiasts. These games immerse players in epic battles, where strategy and camaraderie blend to create unforgettable gaming experiences. Whether you're settling in for a quick evening skirmish or a full day of strategic warfare, these games promise deep tactical engagement and thrilling moments. Gather your friends, prepare your snacks and drinks, and get ready for an exhilarating journey into the heart of battle.

To ensure your longer gaming sessions run smoothly, consider these tips: Download a PDF of the rulebook, which most publishers provide for free, and have everyone review it before you start. Encourage players to handle administrative tasks like sorting their hands or counters during others' turns. You might also want to set a time limit per turn, provided all players agree. With these preparations, you're set for an immersive gaming experience.

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 involve more than two players must balance the action on the board with the negotiations and alliances formed among players. Arcs achieves this balance brilliantly, as highlighted in our 10/10 review. Its innovative mechanics, inspired by trick-taking in card games, offer multiple strategic options, while the circular board encourages aggressive play and discourages defensive tactics. Despite its rich features, you can build a full-fledged space empire in under two hours, making it perfect for those looking to dive into the narrative campaign expansion.

Dune: War for Arrakis

1See it at Amazon

Not to be confused with the multiplayer negotiation game further down the list, Dune: War for Arrakis is a fast-paced, head-to-head battle for two players. As the noble Atreides and the wicked Harkonnen, you'll fight for control of the precious spice. The game's asymmetry shines with the Atreides' guerrilla tactics and Fremen allies clashing against the Harkonnen's larger, wealthier forces. The Harkonnen player must also manage spice harvesting and shipping to maintain economic advantages. With quality plastic miniatures and an engaging action dice system, this game, designed by the same team behind War of the Ring, offers constant strategic reassessment in a shorter playtime.

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 game captures the stealth essence of the original, with the sniper player moving slowly and silently against a ticking clock and German squads trying to track them down. Beyond the escalating tension, it offers a more historical feel with thematic components and realistic combat. With two different boards and various sniper loadouts and squad specialists, it promises high replay value and tactical depth.

Twilight Imperium 4th Edition

8See it at Amazon

This all-day epic of sci-fi civilization building offers everything fans of the genre could want. Players control bizarre aliens, researching technology and building fleets to fight over a random galactic hex map. Diplomacy and political decrees add layers to the gameplay, but it's the solid strategic core and the innovative strategy card system that truly challenge players. The fourth edition streamlines the experience, making it more accessible while retaining its sweeping scope.

Blood Rage

1See it at Amazon

In Blood Rage, you lead a Viking clan through the end times of Ragnarök, vying for glory and a place in Valhalla. Despite its violent theme and stunning components, the game offers deep strategic play. Drafting cards each round, you'll manage your warriors and monsters to pillage regions and fulfill quests. The blind battle card system adds excitement to the fights, making this a blend of tactical challenge, theme, and outright brutality—a true conflict-based classic.

The Best Boardgame Deals

Dune

7See it at Amazon

This game, based on Frank Herbert's novel and first released in 1979, is a futuristic masterpiece. It's a game of hidden information and asymmetrical strategy, where each player controls a faction with unique powers. The Atreides can peek at auctioned cards, while the Harkonnen know all the secret traitors. The result is a game that captures the novel's narrative and political themes brilliantly. The new edition boasts cleaner rules and stunning art.

Kemet: Blood and Sand

0See it at Amazon

Imagine the gods and mythical creatures of ancient Egypt battling on the desert sands. Kemet brings this vision to life with tech pyramids that allow you to customize your strategy and identical battle cards that lead to intense mind games. The board's layout ensures no hiding, making for fast-paced, brutal encounters. It's all about out-and-out violence, with no room for respite.

Star Wars: Rebellion

14See it at Amazon

Star Wars: Rebellion recreates the iconic franchise with an asymmetric struggle between the underdog Rebellion and the powerful Empire. The Rebellion must survive and win over planets, while the Empire seeks to crush dissent. With familiar characters and events, the narrative unfolds uniquely each game, driven by tight strategic gameplay that keeps every turn engaging and challenging.

Conflict of Heroes: Awakening The Bear

0See it at Amazon

Tactical wargames focusing on squad or individual soldier actions can be complex, but Conflict of Heroes strikes the perfect balance. Using action points, dice, and differing defense values, it delivers excitement, realism, and tactical challenge. Starting simple, it expands to include artillery, vehicles, and tanks for a full World War 2 experience. The command point system, allowing extra actions during your opponent's turn, adds a layer of strategic depth.

Undaunted: Normandy

5See it at Amazon

Undaunted: North Africa

3See it at Amazon

Undaunted: Stalingrad

1See it at Amazon

These games leverage deck-building to simulate infantry combat, with officer cards representing orders and supplies, and unit cards moving troops on a modular map. Casualties affect your deck, reflecting morale erosion under fire. With tense firefights and pivotal moments, these games offer an accessible and engaging way to refight World War II.

Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right

18$59.99 save 25%$44.99 at Amazon

Root is a shorter game that emphasizes asymmetry, with four factions vying for control of a woodland realm. Each faction has unique rules and feels, from the conquest-focused Marquise de Cat and Eyrie to the guerrilla Woodland Folk and the lone Vagabond. Despite its cute theme, it's a game of brutal strategy that raises questions about politics and governance.

Twilight Struggle: Red Sea

0See it at Amazon

The original Twilight Struggle is renowned, but its complexity and length can be daunting. Red Sea retains the compelling card-play and dilemmas of the original but shortens the playtime to about an hour. A new scoring mechanic adds excitement, and history buffs can explore the Cold War in East Africa through real historical events on the cards. A book of designer's notes provides further historical context.

A Game of Thrones: The Board Game

2$64.95 save 21%$50.99 at Amazon

This game captures the political intrigue of the books and TV show, borrowing from Diplomacy's concept where only one player can win, but alliances and betrayals are inevitable. 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 2nd Edition

2$89.99 save 22%$70.36 at Amazon

This game is the best adaptation of Tolkien's work, featuring two intertwined games on the same board: the epic clash of armies across Middle-earth and the Fellowship's quest to destroy the One Ring. The design brilliantly balances these two elements, creating a challenging tactical experience for players.

Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy

3$207.00 at Amazon

While Twilight Imperium focuses on warfare and diplomacy, Eclipse emphasizes long-term strategy in sci-fi civilization-building. Its systems for initiative and technology upgrades require players to plan ahead as they expand into the galaxy. The tactical depth enhances the feeling of exploration and combat, making it a strategic gem.

If you enjoy these games, be sure to 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, a niche interest with many titles published annually. These games, like Awakening the Bear and Twilight Struggle: Red Sea, require detailed historical research. However, the definition can be broader, encompassing games that simulate potential conflicts, like a Cold War turning into World War 3, or those with historical settings but less focus on simulation, such as Undaunted. Even games set in fantastic or sci-fi scenarios can be considered wargames by some. We've adopted a wide definition, including games that explore conflict from various perspectives, from historical simulation to fantasy diplomacy. If a specific type of conflict game interests you, enthusiast sites can provide further exploration.