Top War Board Games of 2025 Revealed

War-themed board games offer a thrilling and strategic gaming experience, catering to fans of epic battles and intense strategy. Whether you're looking for a quick evening game or an all-day adventure, these war board games won't disappoint, immersing you in intense combat and tactical decision-making. Gather your friends, prepare some snacks and drinks, and get ready for an unforgettable gaming session.

To ensure a smooth experience with longer games, consider these tips: Download a PDF version of the rulebook, available from most publishers, and have everyone read it beforehand. Encourage players to handle administrative tasks like sorting their hands or counters outside their turns. You might also want to set a time limit per turn, if all players agree. 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 excels in this balance, offering a unique blend of conflict and diplomacy. With its innovative mechanics inspired by trick-taking card games, Arcs provides multiple strategic options while maintaining intense spacecraft battles on its circular board, rewarding aggression and minimizing defensive play. Despite its complexity, Arcs allows you to build a space empire in under two hours, making it perfect for a thrilling session that can be expanded with its narrative campaign.

Dune: War for Arrakis

### Dune: War for Arrakis

1See it at Amazon
Don't confuse this with the multiplayer negotiation game Dune listed below - War for Arrakis is a head-to-head battle for two players, where the noble Atreides and the wicked Harkonnen fight for control of the precious spice. This game is highly asymmetric, with the Atreides using guerrilla tactics alongside their Fremen allies and summoned sandworms, while the Harkonnen focus on harvesting and shipping spice to maintain their economic advantage. Designed by the same team behind War of the Ring, War for Arrakis uses quality plastic miniatures and a dynamic action dice system that requires constant strategic reassessment, yet it's faster to play.

Sniper Elite: The Board Game

### Sniper Elite: The Board Game

1See it at Amazon
Fans of the Sniper Elite video game series might be surprised by the close-quarters action in this tabletop adaptation, but it offers unique charms. The game retains the stealth elements, with the sniper player moving slowly and silently against a ticking clock, while the German player commands roving squads to hunt them down. This setup creates escalating tension and a more historically accurate feel than the video game, complete with thematic components and realistic combat. With two different boards and various loadout options for both the sniper and German squads, the game offers high replayability and strategic depth.

Twilight Imperium IV

### Twilight Imperium 4th Edition

8See it at Amazon
Few games can match the epic scope of Twilight Imperium IV, a day-long adventure in sci-fi civilization building. This game has it all: bizarre alien races researching technology, building fleets, and battling over a randomly generated galactic hex map. Diplomacy and political decrees add depth to the gameplay, but the strategic core remains strong. The strategy card system, where players select a special focus each round, is a highlight. The fourth edition maintains the game's expansive scope while streamlining rules for better accessibility.

Blood Rage

### Blood Rage

1See it at Amazon
In Blood Rage, you lead a Viking clan into the end times of Ragnarök, seeking glory for your warriors and a place in Valhalla. Despite its violent theme and impressive components, the game offers strategic depth. Players draft cards to support their actions, carefully managing their warriors and monsters to pillage regions and complete quests for glory. The blind battle card system adds excitement to the competition for resources. Blood Rage is a perfect blend of tactical challenge, thematic immersion, and intense conflict, making it a standout war game.

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Dune

### Dune

7See it at Amazon
Dune offers a unique take on futuristic warfare, distinct from Dune: Imperium. Based on Frank Herbert's novel and first released in 1979, it was ahead of its time. The game relies on a balance of hidden information and asymmetric strategies, with each player representing a faction from the book. The Atreides can peek at auctioned cards, while the Harkonnen know all secret traitors. This setup brilliantly captures the narrative and political themes of the novel, and the new edition features improved rules and stunning artwork.

Kemet: Blood and Sand

### Kemet Blood and Sand

0See it at Amazon
Imagine the gods and mythical creatures of ancient Egypt engaging in a brutal battle 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 no hiding, forcing players into constant combat. Kemet is all about fast-paced violence and strategic decision-making, making it an exhilarating experience.

Star Wars: Rebellion

### Star Wars: Rebellion

14See it at Amazon
Star Wars: Rebellion brings the beloved franchise to your tabletop with a focus on asymmetric gameplay. The Rebellion player must survive and win over planets while the Empire uses its vast military power to crush dissent. Featuring iconic characters and events, the game allows players to craft their own narrative. Tight strategic elements ensure each turn is filled with challenges and variety, making it a must-play for Star Wars fans.

Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear

### Conflict of Heroes: Awakening The Bear

0See it at Amazon
Tactical wargames can be complex, but Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear strikes the right balance. Using a straightforward system of action points, dice, and differing defense values, it offers excitement, realism, and tactical challenge. The game starts simple but 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 depth.

Undaunted: Normandy & Undaunted: North Africa

### Undaunted: Normandy

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

3See it at Amazon
### Undaunted Stalingrad

1See it at Amazon
Undaunted uses deck-building mechanics to simulate infantry combat with minimal rules. Officer cards allow you to add new unit cards to your deck, representing orders and supplies, while unit cards move troops on the modular scenario map. Casualties thin your deck, reflecting morale erosion. This accessible and engaging series offers a fresh way to experience 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 embraces asymmetry with four factions vying for control of a woodland realm. Each faction plays differently: the Marquise de Cat and the Eyrie engage in traditional conquest, the Woodland Folk fight guerrilla-style, and the Vagabond acts as a lone trickster-hero. Despite its cute theme, Root is a game of brutal strategy, prompting players to consider real-world political and governance issues.

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 experience into about an hour. It retains the compelling card-play mechanic, where players face dilemmas about triggering events that might benefit their opponent. A new scoring mechanic adds excitement, and history buffs can explore the Cold War's lesser-known East African theater. The game includes a book of designer's notes to provide historical 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 treachery of the A Song of Ice and Fire series. Inspired by Diplomacy, it requires alliances and eventual betrayals, as no player can win alone. The secret order system keeps players guessing, while elements from the world of Westeros add strategic depth. It's a must-have for fans of the franchise and a great game in its own right.

War of the Ring

### War of the Ring 2nd Edition

2$89.99 save 22%$70.36 at Amazon
The best board game adaptation of Tolkien's work, War of the Ring combines two interwoven games: the epic clash of armies across Middle-earth and the Fellowship's quest to destroy the One Ring. This design creates a challenging tactical balance, making it a favorite among fans of the source material.

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

### Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy

3$207.00 at Amazon
Eclipse focuses on strategy in sci-fi civilization-building, emphasizing long-term planning over warfare and diplomacy. With systems for initiative and technology upgrades, players must plan ahead as they explore the galaxy, design ships, and engage in combat. This tactical depth enhances the exploration and combat elements, making it a rewarding experience.

If you enjoy these games, be sure to explore our selections for the best overall board games and the best board game deals.

What Counts as a Wargame?

In gaming communities, the term "wargame" can be contentious. Traditionally, it refers to games that simulate historical conflicts, requiring detailed research and often featuring map sheets and counters. Examples from our list include Awakening the Bear and Twilight Struggle: Red Sea, which are on the more accessible side of this genre.

However, the definition can be broader, encompassing games that simulate potential or fictional conflicts. Some games focus on historical settings without aiming for simulation, while others explore entirely fantastical or sci-fi scenarios. Whether these count as "wargames" varies among gamers. We've adopted a broad definition, including games that explore conflict in various ways, from historical simulation to fantasy diplomacy. If you're interested in a specific type of conflict game, enthusiast websites can guide you further.