Top War Board Games of 2025 Revealed

War-themed board games offer an exhilarating experience, immersing players in epic battles that can last from an evening to an entire day. These games are not just about combat; they're a test of strategic prowess and tactical decision-making. Whether you're planning a short session or a marathon gaming day, these war board games promise to deliver intense and engaging gameplay. So, gather your friends, prepare your snacks and drinks, and get ready for a thrilling adventure.

To ensure your longer gaming sessions run smoothly, consider these tips: Download a PDF copy of the rulebook, which most publishers offer for free, and have everyone read it beforehand. Encourage players to handle administrative tasks like sorting their hands or counters outside their turns. If everyone agrees, you might also want to set a time limit per turn to keep the game moving. Now, let's dive into the best war board games available.

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 it
War games that involve more than two players often struggle 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, offer multiple strategic options while still delivering intense spacecraft battles on a dynamic, circular board. This game rewards aggressive play and discourages defensive strategies, yet allows you to build a comprehensive space empire in under two hours. The narrative campaign expansion adds even more depth to this already brilliant game.

Dune: War for Arrakis

### Dune: War for Arrakis

1See it at Amazon
Don'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 players, pitting the noble Atreides against the wicked Harkonnen in a fight for control of the precious spice. This highly asymmetric game features the guerrilla warfare of the Atreides, their Fremen allies, and summoned sandworms clashing with the larger, wealthier forces of the Harkonnen. The Harkonnen player must also manage spice harvesting and shipping to maintain their economic edge. Designed by the same team behind War of the Ring, this game uses quality plastic miniatures and an excellent action dice system that constantly challenges your strategies, yet it's much quicker to play.

Sniper Elite: The Board Game

### 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 preserved as the sniper player must move slowly and silently against a ticking clock, while the German player controls roving squads trying to detect them. The game adds a layer of historical authenticity that the video game lacks, with thematic components and more realistic combat. With two different boards and various sniper loadout options and squad specialists for the German player, it offers substantial replay value and tactical depth.

Twilight Imperium IV

### Twilight Imperium 4th Edition

8See it at Amazon
Few games can match the epic scale of this all-day sci-fi civilization-building experience. It encompasses everything you'd expect from the genre: bizarre aliens researching technology, building fleets, and fighting over a random galactic hex map. Diplomacy and in-game political decrees add layers of complexity, but the game's strategic core remains robust. The strategy card system, where each player selects a special focus each round, is a standout feature. This fourth edition maintains its sweeping scope while trimming unnecessary elements, making it more accessible.

Blood Rage

### Blood Rage

1See it at Amazon
In Blood Rage, you lead a Viking clan into the end times of Ragnarök, seeking glory through rage, axes, and horns to secure a place in Valhalla. Despite its violent theme and impressive components, the game offers significant strategic depth. You'll draft cards to support your actions each round, carefully managing your warriors and monsters to pillage regions and fulfill quests for glory. The blind battle card system adds excitement to the frequent clashes with other players. This game masterfully blends tactical challenge, theme, and brutality, making it a standout in conflict-based board games.

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Dune

### Dune

7See it at Amazon
Dune offers a unique futuristic experience, distinct from Dune: Imperium. Based on Frank Herbert's novel and first released in 1979, it was ahead of its time. The game focuses on hidden information and asymmetrical strategy, with each player representing a faction from the book, each with 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 narrative and political themes of the novel.

Kemet: Blood and Sand

### Kemet Blood and Sand

0See it at Amazon
Imagine ancient Egyptian gods and mythical creatures battling in the desert sands. That's Kemet. The game's tech pyramids allow you to customize your strategy with special powers, while everyone starts with the same battle cards, leading to intense mind games. The board layout ensures constant action, with no hiding spots, making for a fast-paced, violent experience.

Star Wars: Rebellion

### Star Wars: Rebellion

14See it at Amazon
Star Wars: Rebellion brings the beloved franchise to your table with a focus on asymmetric gameplay. The Rebellion player must survive and win over planets, while the Empire uses its vast military to crush dissent. Featuring iconic characters and events, the game allows you to shape the narrative. Its strategic depth ensures each turn is filled with challenging and varied decisions.

Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear

### Conflict of Heroes: Awakening The Bear

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

Undaunted: Normandy & Undaunted: North Africa

### Undaunted: Normandy

5See it at Amazon
### Undaunted: North Africa

3See it at Amazon
### Undaunted Stalingrad

1See it at Amazon
These games use deck-building mechanics to simulate infantry combat with minimal rules. Officer cards add new units to your deck, representing orders and supplies, while unit cards move troops on the modular scenario map. Casualties thin your deck, reflecting morale erosion under fire. These games offer an accessible and engaging way to refight World War 2 battles.

Root

### 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. Four factions vie for control of a woodland realm, each with unique rules and gameplay. The Marquise de Cat and the Eyrie engage in conquest, the Woodland Folk fight as guerrillas, and the Vagabond operates as a lone trickster-hero. Despite its cute theme and quirky art, Root is a strategic game that raises questions about politics and governance.

Twilight Struggle: Red Sea

### Twilight Struggle: Red Sea

0See it at Amazon
The original Twilight Struggle is renowned for its complexity and length, but Red Sea condenses the core card-play into a shorter, hour-long game. It retains the compelling dilemmas and strategic depth, with a new scoring mechanic adding excitement. History buffs can explore the Cold War in East Africa, with real historical events simulated through the game's mechanics and a designer's notes book providing context.

A Game of Thrones: The Board Game

### A Game of Thrones: The Board Game

2$64.95 save 21%$50.99 at Amazon
This game captures the political intrigue and backstabbing of the books and TV show, borrowing from Diplomacy's mechanics where only one player can win, but no one can do so alone. Alliances and betrayals are inevitable, governed by a secret order system. The game adds strategic elements from the world of Westeros, making it a must-play for fans.

War of the Ring

### 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 elements, creating a challenging tactical experience for players.

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

### 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 forward-thinking as you expand into the galaxy. The game maintains the thrill of exploration and combat, but success depends more on strategic planning than 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 interest with many titles published annually. These games, like Awakening the Bear and Twilight Struggle: Red Sea, require extensive historical research. However, the definition can be broader, encompassing games that simulate potential or fictional conflicts, such as the Cold War escalating into World War 3, or games like Undaunted that use historical settings without aiming for simulation. Even games set in entirely fantastic or sci-fi scenarios can be considered wargames. We've adopted a wide definition, including games that explore conflict from various perspectives, from historical simulation to fantasy diplomacy. If you're interested in a specific type of conflict game, enthusiast sites can provide further exploration.