Best War Board Games of 2025

Edward West Avatar
Edward West
Last Updated: 7 Feb 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

War board games are a popular form of entertainment that allow players to engage in strategic battles and conflicts in a tabletop setting. These games typically involve a range of scenarios, from historical battles to futuristic conflicts, and offer a variety of gameplay mechanics and strategies to explore. With detailed game pieces, complex rules, and immersive gameplay experiences, war board games are a great way to challenge your strategic thinking and enjoy hours of fun with friends and family. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or new to the genre, there's a war board game out there to suit your tastes and interests.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Kingmaker Strategy War Game by Gibsons Cover #TOP 1
Kingmaker Strategy War Game by Gibsons
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Hasbro Gaming Risk Global Domination Board Game Cover #TOP 2
Hasbro Gaming Risk Global Domination Board Game
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Ares Games War of the Ring 2nd Edition Cover #TOP 3
Ares Games War of the Ring 2nd Edition
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 War Board Games

#TOP 1

Kingmaker Strategy War Game by Gibsons

G9029
Multicolor
One Size
Kingmaker Strategy War Game by Gibsons Cover
Kingmaker Strategy War Game | Tabletop Game for Adults | Advanced Board Game | Gibsons Games | Ages 14+, 1-6 Players, 2+ Hours Gameplay

Kingmaker by Gibsons is a revamped classic board game that immerses you in the intense world of the 15th Century Wars of the Roses. With its enhanced edition, you can enjoy three brand-new game modes, each offering unique gameplay experiences. This complex game allows you to build strategic alliances, deploy armies, and engage in clever power plays, making it ideal for those who love a tactical challenge. Whether playing with friends or tackling the game solo against an AI, it promises an engaging experience.

What We Like
Multiple game modes available
Deep strategic gameplay
Engaging historical theme
Ideal for tactical enthusiasts

Hasbro Gaming Risk Global Domination Board Game

B7404
Nylon/a
One Size
Hasbro Gaming Risk Global Domination Board Game Cover
Hasbro Gaming Risk, Classic Strategy Board Game for 2-5 Players, Family Games for 10+ Year Old Kids

The Hasbro Gaming Risk offers an exciting board game experience where you engage in strategic battles for global domination. This game is perfect for children aged 10 and above, featuring 300 updated figures and refreshed board art to enhance your immersion. The improved Risk mission cards help speed up gameplay, making it more dynamic and engaging. With three exciting gameplay modes and 12 secret missions, you will find plenty of strategic depth to explore, ensuring every session is unique and thrilling.

What We Like
Engaging strategic gameplay
Updated figures and art
Fast-paced mission cards
Multiple gameplay modes
Suitable for 2-5 players
#TOP 3

Ares Games War of the Ring 2nd Edition

AGS WOTR001
Multicolor
Ares Games War of the Ring 2nd Edition Cover
Ares Games | War of the Ring 2nd Edition | Miniatures Board Game | Ages 14+ | 2-4 Players | 120+ Minutes Playing Time

The War of the Ring is an immersive miniatures board game where you can choose to play as either the free people of Middle Earth or the evil forces of Sauron. With a playing time exceeding 180 minutes, you can truly delve into the epic battles and strategic decisions that define this game. Designed for 2 to 4 players aged 14 and above, it offers an engaging experience for friends and family alike. This game is perfect for those who enjoy deep storytelling and intricate gameplay.

What We Like
Engaging storyline
Strategic gameplay
Suitable for small groups
Long playing time
High-quality miniatures
#TOP 4

Alderac Entertainment Group War Chest Strategy Game

ALD07035
Multicolor
One Size
Alderac Entertainment Group War Chest Strategy Game Cover
Alderac Entertainment Group | War Chest Tile Placement Game in English for age 14+ | Strategic and Battle game for 2-4 Players | Use Armies and Place all the Control Markers

War Chest Game offers a thrilling competitive experience where you can outsmart your opponents using unit coins. The strategic gameplay encourages careful planning and tactical decision-making, ensuring every match is engaging. Designed for 2-4 players, it’s perfect for both quick games and extended sessions with family and friends. With simple rules that are easy to grasp, you can dive right in, while also enjoying the deeper strategies that await more advanced players.

What We Like
Engaging strategic gameplay
Quick playtime of 30–60 minutes
Suitable for ages 14 and up
Easy to learn, hard to master
#TOP 5

Osprey Games Escape from Colditz 75th Anniversary Game

OSP8935
Multicolor
Osprey Games Escape from Colditz 75th Anniversary Game Cover
Osprey Games OSP8935 Escape from Colditz 75th Anniversary Edition Game for 14 years to 18 years,Multicolor,11.6 x 2.8 x 426.72 inches

Escape from Colditz is an exciting board game set in a World War II fortress. Ideal for ages 14 and above, it allows 2 to 6 players to engage in strategic planning and teamwork. The game enhances your problem-solving skills as you plot your escape from the seemingly inescapable prison. With a playing time of 90 to 150 minutes, it promises an immersive experience that tests your nerves of steel while providing hours of entertainment with friends or family.

What We Like
Engaging strategic gameplay
Suitable for multiple players
Long playing time for immersion
Iconic World War II theme

Z-Man Games Pandemic: Star Wars Board Game

ZM7126
Multicolor
Large
Z-Man Games Pandemic: Star Wars Board Game Cover
Z-Man Games Man Games Pandemic: Star Wars: The Clone Wars Board Game Ages 14+ 1-5 Players 60 Minutes Playing Time, ZM7126

The Star Wars Pandemic Board Game offers an exciting experience set in the beloved universe of The Clone Wars. As players, you will embody heroic Jedi, each equipped with unique abilities to combat the Separatist forces. Engage in four distinct scenarios, each featuring a different main villain, enhancing replayability and strategic depth. The game boasts an impressive table presence with a large board, beautifully illustrated cards, and striking miniatures that include legendary Jedi and iconic villains, providing a visually immersive adventure for all players.

What We Like
Engaging gameplay for 1-5 players
Unique abilities for each Jedi
Multiple scenarios enhance replayability
Stunning miniatures and artwork
#TOP 7

TUG! Team Quiz Game with Tug of War

TUG1
Multicolor
One Size
TUG! Team Quiz Game with Tug of War Cover
TUG! the Team Quiz Game with a mini Tug of War in the Box | Perfect for 2-20 Players | Ultimate Game Night for Teens, Adults, Family and Kids Ages 12 and Up

TUG! Quiz Game is an award-winning trivia game for 2-20 players, making it perfect for couples, friends, and family gatherings. With over 1,400 engaging questions, you can enjoy a fun challenge that starts easy and gradually increases in difficulty, ensuring everyone stays entertained. The unique mini tug of war feature adds an exciting twist, as teams tug the rope towards their side when they answer correctly. Additionally, the game is easy to learn and quick to play, allowing you to dive into the fun without any hassle.

What We Like
Fun for large groups
Engaging trivia questions
Unique tug of war feature
Quick and easy to learn
#TOP 8

Avalon Hill Diplomacy Strategy Board Game

F3155
Multicolor
One Size
Avalon Hill Diplomacy Strategy Board Game Cover
Avalon Hill Diplomacy Cooperative Strategy Board Game, Ages 12 and Up, 2-7 Players Multicolor One Size F3155

The Avalon Hill Diplomacy board game offers a thrilling cooperative experience of international intrigue set before World War I. You will engage in negotiations and outwit your opponents while striving to expand your empire across Europe. With the ability to play as one of the great powers, such as Great Britain or Germany, the game is rich in strategy. Featuring over 300 playing pieces, you will find yourself immersed in the complex world of alliances and betrayal for an exciting game night.

What We Like
Engaging cooperative gameplay
Rich strategic depth
Variety of playing pieces
Suitable for multiple players
Immersive narrative experience
#TOP 9

CMON Dune: War for Arrakis Strategy Game

DUN001
Multicolor
One Size
CMON Dune: War for Arrakis Strategy Game Cover
CMON | Dune: War for Arrakis | Miniatures Board Game | Ages 14+ | 1-4 Players | 120 Minutes Playing Time

Dune: War for Arrakis offers an engaging asymmetrical strategy experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the power struggle between House Harkonnen and House Atreides. You will enjoy commanding unique units with detailed plastic figures, enhancing your connection to the Dune universe. The game captures the essence of the epic Desert War, letting you bring the rich lore of the novels to life. As you strategise to control the spice, you will find that mastering this resource is vital for your dominance in the game.

What We Like
Unique gameplay experience
High-quality detailed miniatures
Immersive Dune universe
Strategic spice control
#TOP 10

Twilight Struggle Deluxe Edition Board Game

0510-14
Multicolor
One Size
Twilight Struggle Deluxe Edition Board Game Cover
GMT Games, Twilight Struggle the Cold War 1945-1989 Deluxe Edition, Board Game, Ages 14+, 2 Players, 30+ Minutes Playing time

Twilight Struggle is a deluxe edition board game that allows you to relive the Cold War from 1945 to 1989. As a quick-playing and low-complexity game for two players, it offers an engaging experience that can be enjoyed in just over 30 minutes. Perfect for those aged 14 and above, this game lets you change history as you navigate through the challenges of the Cold War. You will appreciate the strategic depth without the overwhelming complexity, making it an ideal choice for both casual and seasoned gamers.

What We Like
Quick-playing format
Low-complexity gameplay
Engaging for two players
Historically immersive experience
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is there a board game called war?

Arguably one of the most popular board games in Brazil, War is a modified version of Risk, using concepts that were later introduced to the original game, like objective cards. The players maneuver armies on a world map, trying to conquer continents, and trying to fulfill their objectives.

2. What is a war board game?

A board wargame is a wargame with a set playing surface or board, as opposed to being played on a computer or in a more free-form playing area as in miniatures games.

3. Is there a civil war board game?

Civil War is an early strategic board wargame, produced by Avalon Hill, in 1961. Designed by Wargaming Hall of Fame designer Charles S. Roberts, it was issued to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the American Civil War, along with the tactical games Gettysburg and Chancellorsville.

Editor's Notes

During our war board game research, we found 213 war board game products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 22,203 customer reviews through our big data system to write the war board games list. We found that most customers choose war board games with an average price of £29.62.

The war board games are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of war board games, including Gibsons, Hasbro Gaming, Ares Games, Alderac Entertainment Group, Osprey Games. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 657 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Edward West Avatar

Edward's family owns a retail store in Edinburgh for toys and games. He grew up taking a very active part in the family's business. Edward earned his first income from writing web content on a toy related gig for an online company. When he was 18, he took over from his father, and since then, he has been in charge and management of the store and several others around England.