7 Best War Board Games to Play in 2025
Looking for the best war board games? We picked our favorites that capture the thrill, strategy, and chaos of war perfectly.
7 Best War Board Games for New Players Who Love Epic Battles
War is messy, loud, and sometimes involves a lot of dice. Picking the best war board games for our list was no small task. We focused on games that have thrilling battles, fun strategies, and clear rules—because nobody wants to spend a whole evening reading a rulebook instead of playing. We wanted games that let new players jump right into the action, but still have enough twists to keep things interesting after many plays. If you’re after epic war stories and tense standoffs with your friends, you’ve come to the right place.
On this list:
7 Risk
Risk is the classic war board game that turns family gatherings into all-out global conflict faster than your uncle can accuse you of cheating. We love it for nostalgia and because it’s simple to learn but difficult to master. You’ll spend hours plotting and betraying friends, claiming continents, and rolling dice like your life depends on it. If you want a pure war board game experience that doesn’t involve a six-month learning curve, Risk is your gateway to world domination. Just be warned: you may end up sleeping on the couch after you wipe out your partner’s armies.
6 Memoir ’44
Memoir ’44 brings the drama of World War II to your kitchen table, and we think it does it with flair. You’ll command tanks, infantry, and artillery in scenarios based on real historical battles. The rules are straightforward, so you won’t need to fake reading the manual. And the miniatures are so cute, you almost forget it’s a war game. We’ve had some close matches where fortunes changed with one clever move or a lucky card draw, so no lead ever feels safe! Perfect for those wanting a real taste of strategic combat without needing a military degree.
5 Twilight Struggle
Twilight Struggle makes war cerebral. This isn’t your roll-a-dice-and-attack game; it’s a tense tug-of-war for global influence during the Cold War. We found ourselves sweating as we debated whether to push for space dominance or stage coups in South America like wannabe Bond villains. The card-driven play keeps things fresh, and the stakes always feel high. It’s not a fast game, but if you want a war board game that feels like chess for spies, this is the heavyweight champ. Just try not to spark a nuclear war—our group managed to, twice.
4 Axis & Allies
Axis & Allies is what happens when you mix Risk with a history lesson and a dash of chaos. We’ve played epic sessions that lasted longer than a weekend, with alliances breaking faster than our last new year’s resolutions. Every country has its strengths and weaknesses, so teamwork—mixed with a healthy dose of suspicion—is key. The war theme is thick, the strategy is deep, and the plastic tanks are just plain fun to push around. If you want a grand, classic World War II board game that doesn’t skimp on detail, grab Axis & Allies.
3 1775: Rebellion
Ever wanted to relive the American Revolution without risking your neck? We found 1775: Rebellion scratches that itch. The rules are easy, which is great because we hate reading 30 pages before playing. It’s team-based, so you can blame your loss on someone else. Each game feels different thanks to the card-driven actions and random setup. The war theme comes through strong, and the games don’t take forever, which our impatient friends appreciate. It’s a perfect pick for when you want a war board game with plenty of historical flavor but none of the homework.
2 Root
On the surface, Root looks cute, with woodland creatures fighting over their forest. But don’t be fooled—this war board game gets more aggressive than a raccoon in your garbage. It’s asymmetric, so each player has unique powers and goals. We enjoyed backstabbing and plotting, never knowing who’d win until the last move. The art and theme make it approachable for new players, but the strategic depth keeps us coming back. Root is a weird, wild war board game mashup that we recommend for anyone who wants war, but with more squirrels and fewer tanks.
1 Scythe
Scythe isn’t just a war board game—it’s an epic alternative-history adventure with giant mechs, farming, and plenty of nail-biting battles. We chose this as the best war board game because it balances combat with resource management and engine-building. Every session feels like a blockbuster, and every player’s strategy matters. The art looks amazing (our group can’t stop gawking at the board), and the gameplay keeps both war fans and casual gamers hooked. There’s just enough direct fighting to keep you tense, but you win with brains, not just brawn. Out of all the games we’ve played, Scythe combines everything we love about war board games while adding a fresh twist. If you want one must-own war board game, this is it.
