12 Best Fantasy Board Games to Play in 2026
Explore magical lands, face dragons, and cast spells with these top fantasy board games perfect for beginners and seasoned adventurers alike.
12 Best Fantasy Board Games For Epic Game Nights
If you ever wished you could ride dragons or face epic quests, you’re in the right place! Our team searched high and low (and even under a few suspiciously magical rocks) to find the best fantasy board games out there. We’ve picked games with strong themes, wild adventures, and smart mechanics that keep both new and seasoned players hooked. Our list mixes classic picks and modern legends, all bursting with fantasy flavor. Grab your sword—or snack bowl—and get ready, because these fantasy board games turn every game night into a real adventure!
On this list:
12 Small World
We picked Small World because it lets you fight for control with all sorts of wacky fantasy races like flying skeletons and stout trolls. The map shrinks faster than a cheap t-shirt in the wash, so you always run into someone else. We loved the wild combos, which made every game different. It’s simple enough for beginners but has enough banter and sneaky deals to keep things spicy. If you want fantasy without endless rulebooks, this is your road to glory. Also, watching a friend’s goblins get wiped out by your dragons is oddly satisfying.
11 Lords of Waterdeep
We chose Lords of Waterdeep because it mixes fantasy with worker placement so well that we stopped caring about Monday blues. The secret quests and backstabbing between ‘friends’ led to loud laughter and one minor pizza topping dispute. Unlike many fantasy games, it’s quick to set up and doesn’t make your brain melt. Plus, it actually gets you cheering when you score with cubes (okay, heroes, but still). We recommend this one for anyone who wants strategy and fantasy mixed like a good stew.
10 Mice and Mystics
Mice and Mystics is all about tiny heroes on giant adventures. We played as brave mice trying to save the kingdom from a mean old queen and her cat. The storybook style made us feel like kids again, if those kids had to fight cockroaches with toothpicks. The campaign carries you along with fun twists and sad mouse moments. It’s co-op, so you win or lose together. Perfect for families or pals who love fantasy and storytelling and don’t mind the odd cheese pun.
9 Runebound (Third Edition)
Runebound lets you explore a proper fantasy world, fighting monsters and racing rivals for glory. Our group got lost, chased by dragons, and somehow ended up dueling outside the tavern more than once. The adventure system keeps things fresh, and the choices feel meaningful. It’s a big adventure in a box, but doesn’t bog down with rules. If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy novel with your friends, Runebound is your ticket.
8 Blood Rage
Blood Rage cranks fantasy up to eleven with Norse gods, monsters, and more axes than you can shake a stick at. It’s all about smashing stuff, stealing glory, and perfectly-timed betrayals. The miniatures are so cool we tried to keep them as desk friends. Despite the wild theme, it’s easy to learn and turns even the shyest players into Viking warlords. Not the most peaceful fantasy, but if you want to play a metal album as a board game, this is it.
7 Talisman: The Magical Quest Game
Talisman is the board game version of that fantasy quest your older cousin always tried to explain. The game feels classic and wild at once. There’s dice, adventure cards, and that moment when you get turned into a toad. It’s a big ol’ fantasy soup, and while it can run long, we laughed ourselves silly at the chaos. If you want a pure, old-school fantasy experience (with a side order of luck), Talisman is a golden ticket.
6 Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven takes fantasy dungeon crawling and fuses it with a legacy campaign that makes your choices stick. Our group started out noble and ended up arguing over loot and trap doors. The combat is tactical but not too slow, and unlocking new stuff felt like opening birthday gifts. It’s a heavier one, but if your group likes a meaty fantasy experience that grows over time, nothing beats Gloomhaven for epic moments and a sense of adventure.
5 Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of Ashardalon
Wrath of Ashardalon brings the classic Dungeons & Dragons fantasy feel to your table but ditches the homework. The co-op missions are fun, and the dungeon tiles change every game. We spent a lot of time shouting at each other to open doors (and then running from the monsters inside). It’s fast-paced for a dungeon crawl, and you don’t need to be a rulebook wizard to enjoy it. If you want the D&D taste without the homework, this is a great pick.
4 Aeon’s End
Aeon’s End puts you and your friends in fantasy’s hottest job: desperate town defenders against evil baddies. The twist? No shuffling your deck. The co-op play and different characters gave us a sense of teamwork — or at least a reason to blame Tim for letting the nemesis pound us. It’s creative, tough, and the deck-building keeps things moving. If you want a fantasy co-op that actually feels fresh, we suggest this one (just watch out for Tim).
3 Above and Below
Above and Below combines village building with story-driven fantasy adventures. We loved sending our villagers on missions and then watching Steve try to talk his way out of trouble (he failed, often). The game is gentle, fairy tale-like, and charming for both new and experienced players. It’s part strategy, part bedtime story, and 100% fantasy. If you like a dash of story with your resource management, this is a winner.
2 Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)
Descent: Journeys in the Dark lets you play classic fantasy heroes (and villains!) in epic quests. We loved the way one friend could be the baddie, setting traps and monsters for the rest of us. Every session felt like a mini adventure movie. Descent is packed with monsters, loot, and tense dice rolls. It’s a great way for new fantasy fans to get the feel of roleplaying without hours of prep. Plus, there’s always that moment you open a door and instantly regret it.
1 Spirit Island
If you want a fantasy game that breaks the mold, Spirit Island is the one. We chose this as the best because you play as powerful spirits defending your home from pesky invaders, not the usual knight or wizard gig. The co-op play is tight, and the puzzle to save your island always feels a bit different. We love the way it flips the usual fantasy script and makes you feel clever. It’s challenging, beautiful and made us all want to root for the underdog (or underspirit). For new players looking for something unique in fantasy board games, Spirit Island is the top pick on our list.
