How To Play: War Room

War Room is a huge World War II board game with tons of pieces and rules. Resource management, alliances, and timing attacks are key to winning. My friends and I learned fast: trust no one, plan ahead, and keep snacks ready. If you want epic wars, this one's for you!

War Room: Box Cover Front

Overview

So you want to learn How To Play war room and crush your friends (or at least avoid total humiliation)? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, I’ll walk you through the game rules and hand over my best winning strategies. I’ve played War Room way too many times with my buddies, so everything here comes from real table-flipping experience. Let’s get started before someone calls a truce!

What’s in the box

  • 2 Game Boards
  • 1 Battle Board
  • 7 National Storage Boxes
  • 7 National Reference Cards
  • 7 Sets of Order Markers (63 total)
  • 7 Sets of Control Markers (105 total)
  • 192 Plastic Units
  • 1 Set of Diplomacy Markers (40 total)
  • 500+ Tokens
  • 1 Pad of Battle Sheets
  • 6 Dice
  • 1 Rulebook
  • 1 Quick Reference Sheet
  • 1 Set of Money Chips (120 total)
  • 1 Set of Oil Chips (60 total)
  • 1 Set of Rail Chips (42 total)

How To Play War Room: Rules Summary

Setup

  1. Unfold the giant War Room map. Admire its size—make sure you have snacks within reach. That board is huge!

  2. Now, each player picks a nation. I once grabbed Germany by accident and haven’t stopped apologizing.

  3. Give everyone the matching units, control markers, cash, and player aids. Don’t forget to wage peace until the first turn.

  4. Place all starting armies, planes, and ships in their proper spots. The rulebook helps (sometimes).

  5. Hand out the secret orders pads. Watch for peeking! Last time my buddy Dave almost needed a blindfold.

Gameplay

  1. First, write and reveal orders. You’ll pretend you’re a general. I usually make explosion noises for effect.

  2. Move pieces all over the world. Use your best poker face when sending armies to Siberia.

  3. Resolve combat by rolling dice. Remember to cheer if you hit, boo if you miss.

  4. Next, check supply and econ. If your troops run out of food, they’ll fight about as well as my cats do (not well).

  5. Repeat until someone wins or your snacks run out—whichever comes first.

Winning

  1. Victory points decide everything! My friends and I bickered over points more than once.

  2. When the game ends, count objectives, cities, and whatnot. Highest score wins.

  3. Winning always involves bragging, and perhaps a new nickname, like “Supreme Overlord of Snackland.”

Special Rules & Conditions

  1. Neutral countries sit on the sidelines—until invaded. I learned this the hard way after a surprise Spanish armada at my doorstep.

  2. Weather sometimes changes, just like your luck. Always check the forecast if you’re planning an invasion of Russia.

  3. Alliances? Oh, they crumble easily. Trust at your own risk.

  4. Finally, follow the How To Play war room tips in the manual, or as I do, pretend you remember the rules and just yell louder than everyone else.

Best War Room Strategies

Stacking the Deck: Winning at Resource Management in War Room

Start Slow, Then Build Fast

In my last game, I noticed that patient play pays off! But you can’t nap through the opening rounds either. Instead, watch the board and take action to secure resources at the right moment.

  1. Grab nearby supply zones early.
  2. Protect your vital areas.
  3. Expand when opponents look the other way.

Spend Wisely, Not Wildly

Craving tanks? So does everyone else. Yet, blowing your budget leaves you weak. Think carefully before you shop like it’s Black Friday.

  1. Save a reserve for emergencies.
  2. Upgrade only what you truly need.
  3. Keep your eyes on opponents’ spending habits.

Trading and Stealing: The Secret Sauce

Sometimes, bartering or sneaking resources is key. Now, I wouldn’t recommend anything illegal—unless you count dice manipulation. But really, be smart about deals and watch for those easy grabs.

  1. Bargain with allies, but read the fine print.
  2. Look for weak spots in enemy lines to snatch goods.
  3. Never trust your best friend with your supply lines. Just don’t.

Mastering these tactics means you’ll always have the edge on How To Play war room, and maybe even win without flipping the table.

Winning With Diplomacy in War Room

Start Strong With Friendly Openings

In my last game, I shook hands with every neighbor. Trust me, it helps! Early deals last longer. Here’s how to charm your way to victory:

  1. Share intel (but not your darkest secrets).
  2. Offer non-aggression pacts.
  3. Give small favors, like letting a friend grab a tiny territory.
Keep Friends Close, Rivals Closer

Don’t get lazy. Instead, work the table like a cheap cologne. I always keep everyone guessing! Try these tips:

  1. Change up your alliances.
  2. Use whispers to steer fights away from you.
  3. Make promises, but don’t tie yourself down.
Seal The Deal To Win

If you want to know How To Play war room, nail your alliances at the right time. Then, betray everyone when it matters most. Yes, it’s brutal, but this is not a manners contest!

  1. Time your backstabs.
  2. Strike when allies trust you most.
  3. Grab victory before angry mobs turn on you.

Strike At The Perfect Moment: Timing Attacks in War Room

Watch for Weakness

Always pay attention to your friends’ positions. When a rival leaves a key spot unguarded, you pounce. No mercy, just strategy.

  1. Keep an eye on sudden troop movements.
  2. Jump on openings as they show up.
  3. Stay patient; don’t rush unless you see a real chance.

Prepare for Counterstrikes

Every attack wakes up the table. So, get ready before you charge in. If you don’t, you’ll regret it. I sure did once!

  1. Reinforce your flanks before you attack.
  2. Plan two moves ahead, not just one.
  3. Have an escape route in mind.

Surprise and Confuse

Baffle your friends with sudden moves. When you act unpredictably, you can control the momentum. In my last game, this worked wonders for me.

  1. Feign weakness, then strike hard.
  2. Change your focus often.
  3. Attack from unexpected angles.

For those wondering How To Play war room like a champ, master the timing of your attacks. That’s when the table starts fearing you—and maybe stealing your snacks.

Ready to Conquer the War Room?

Alright, that’s my brain (and my friends’ patience) emptied out on How To Play war room with some sneaky strategy tips! If you want to rule the board, remember to keep your eyes on those resources, backstab just the right amount, and never attack before that second cup of coffee. I learned the hard way that sleep-deprived assaults end in disaster (sorry, Steve). Now go set up, plot some epic moves, and may your dice roll better than mine usually do. Good luck, commander—you’ll need it!

Want to know what we think of War Room? Read our detailed review of War Room here

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.