War is a popular theme in board games, and for good reason: they offer thrilling, strategic battles. The games below deliver epic combat experiences, ranging from shorter evenings to all-day affairs, all demanding shrewd strategic planning. Gather your friends, prepare snacks and drinks, and prepare for an exhilarating gaming marathon!

To ensure smoother gameplay, especially for longer games, consider these tips: Obtain a PDF rulebook (many publishers offer free downloads) and have players read it beforehand. Encourage players to perform administrative tasks, like sorting cards or counters, outside their turns. A time limit per turn, agreed upon by all players, can also be beneficial.

The Best War Board Games

Note: Prices and availability may vary.

Arcs

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Masterfully balancing action and negotiation, Arcs excels in its blend of strategic gameplay and intense spacecraft battles. Its innovative trick-taking mechanics provide multiple strategic avenues, while the open board encourages aggressive play. Despite its depth, a game completes in under two hours, making it ideal for enjoying the brilliant narrative campaign expansion.

Dune: War for Arrakis

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A head-to-head duel for two players, *Dune: War for Arrakis* pits the Atreides against the Harkonnens in a fierce struggle for control of spice. The game features asymmetric gameplay, with the Atreides employing guerrilla tactics and the Harkonnens focusing on economic dominance. High-quality miniatures and an exciting action dice system ensure constant strategic reevaluation in a relatively fast-paced game.

Sniper Elite: The Board Game

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This tabletop adaptation captures the intense close-quarters action and stealth elements of the video game series. The sniper player must remain undetected against the clock, while the German player's squads hunt them down. The game features historical components, realistic combat, multiple boards, and customizable loadouts for high replayability and tactical depth.

Twilight Imperium 4th Edition

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An epic, all-day sci-fi civilization-building game. Players control unique alien races, researching technology, building fleets, and engaging in galactic conquest. Diplomacy and political maneuvering are crucial, but the game's strategic core provides a challenging experience. The streamlined fourth edition improves accessibility while retaining its grand scope.

Blood Rage

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In *Blood Rage*, players lead Viking clans into Ragnarök, vying for glory and a place in Valhalla. Beneath its violent exterior lies a strategically nuanced game. Card drafting, resource management, and blind battle mechanics create a thrilling blend of tactical challenge and brutal combat.

Dune

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(Not to be confused with *Dune: Imperium*) This adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel emphasizes asymmetrical strategy and hidden information. Players control factions with unique abilities, engaging in a complex interplay of political maneuvering and resource control. The new edition boasts improved rules and artwork.

Kemet: Blood and Sand

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Experience fast-paced, brutal combat in ancient Egypt. Players control powerful gods and mythical creatures, battling for supremacy using customizable pyramids and strategic card play. The unique board layout ensures constant engagement and relentless conflict.

Star Wars: Rebellion

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This game offers a strategic recreation of the Star Wars universe. Players choose the Rebellion or the Empire, engaging in an asymmetric conflict involving military battles and planetary control. The unfolding narrative is dynamic and depends on player choices, creating a unique experience each time.

Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear

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This tactical wargame balances realism and accessibility. The simple yet engaging system of action points, dice rolls, and defensive values provides exciting and challenging tactical combat. The game expands to include artillery, vehicles, and tanks, offering a comprehensive World War II experience.

Undaunted: Normandy, Undaunted: North Africa, Undaunted: Stalingrad

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These games cleverly use deck-building mechanics to simulate infantry combat. Officer cards add units to your deck, reflecting real-world command and supply. Unit cards control troops on the modular map, with casualties impacting deck composition and unit effectiveness. The result is a tense and engaging portrayal of World War II battles.

Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right

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A shorter game emphasizing asymmetrical gameplay. Four factions—the Marquise de Cat, the Eyrie, the Woodland Folk, and the Vagabond—compete for control of a woodland realm, each with unique rules and playstyles. Despite its whimsical theme, the game offers intense strategic challenges.

Twilight Struggle: Red Sea

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A faster-paced version of the acclaimed *Twilight Struggle*, retaining the core card-play and strategic depth, but significantly reducing playtime. Players navigate political dilemmas and historical events in a condensed Cold War setting.

A Game of Thrones: The Board Game

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This game captures the political intrigue and backstabbing of the *A Song of Ice and Fire* universe. Players must form alliances and betray them to achieve victory, creating a dynamic and tense experience.

War of the Ring 2nd Edition

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A highly-regarded adaptation of Tolkien's *Lord of the Rings*. The game features two interwoven campaigns: the epic battle for Middle-earth and the Fellowship's quest to destroy the One Ring. The clever integration of these campaigns creates a unique strategic challenge.

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

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This sci-fi civilization-building game emphasizes long-term strategic planning. Players explore the galaxy, develop technology, design ships, and engage in combat, requiring careful foresight and resource management.

For more great board games, check out our selections for the best board games overall and the best board game deals.

What Defines a Wargame?

The term "wargame" can be subjective. While some define it narrowly as simulations of historical conflicts, others include games simulating potential conflicts or those set in fictional universes. This list adopts a broad definition, encompassing games that explore conflict from diverse perspectives, ranging from historical simulations to fantasy diplomacy.