The 30 Best Map-Based Strategy Board Games

Strategy games have been around for thousands of years. From the earliest versions of Chess to modern map-based board games, people have continuously sought new ways to challenge each other in strategic battles of wits.

With such a rich history, strategy games have evolved significantly. It’s no wonder that with so many game versions accessible, choosing your new favorite strategic board game can be overwhelming. Here are 30 of the best strategy map-based board games that promise some of the most memorable and fulfilling experiences for you, your friends, and your family.

Runewars

Runewars is a classic strategic board game of conquering, adventure, and fantasy realms for 2 to 4 players. Designed by Corey Konieczka, Runewars pits gamers against each other in a strategic competition of struggles and territory control. Players must accumulate resources, train troops, and set siege to heavily fortified towns. Runewars occurs in the same famous fantasy world as the best-selling strategic board games Runebound and Descent: Journeys in the Dark 2nd Edition, featuring dozens of fan-favorite warriors and monstrosities. The fights for the dragon runes are starting, and only one side will emerge victoriously.

Players: 2-4
Ages: 13-15
Time to play: 120-180 Min
Review: 4.0/5
List Price: $62.10
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Avalon Hill Axis and Allies 1941

It’s 1941. Five leading powers are fighting for domination. The Axis has significant momentum and is extending its successes in Europe and Asia. Managing one of the Axis or Allied powers, you will control your nation’s armed forces and its wartime economy. Prove that you are an excellent army tactician by organizing your attacks, leading your troops into embattled regions, and solving conflicts. Success goes to the side that defeats its competitors on the battlefield and invades the world’s largest cities. Shape the course of history in just a few short hours.

Players: 2-5
Ages: 13+
Time to play: 120 Min
Review: 4.4/5
List Price: $49.98
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Sabika

In the Trade Route Building Strategy Game Sabika, you play the role of one of the Nasrid nobles who contributed to the building of the towers, parks, and mansions of this ancient monument. Establish trade paths through Europe and the Maghreb. These routes will generate enough income for you to fulfill the demanding tribute commanded by the Catholic Monarchs. In exchange for your efforts, you will get military protection against the different conflicts of the Taifas Kingdom.

Sabika incorporates a novel tool that features three interrelated rondels, each focusing on a different scenario – the building of the Alhambra, the carving of poetry in its halls, and the export of goods along the trade roads. All of this takes place over five eras. In the end, the player with the most prestige points wins.

Players: 1-5
Ages: 14+
Time to play: 60-120 Min
Review: 4.4/5
List Price: $57.59
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Carcassonne

Carcassonne is an intelligent tile-laying board game. The southern French city of Carcassonne is well-known for its unique Roman and Medieval fortresses. Players develop the area near Carcassonne and deploy their followers in the settlements, cloisters, roads, and fields.

Published to critical acclaim in 2000, Carcassonne has long fascinated audiences with its uncomplicated yet engaging gameplay.

Players: 2-5
Ages: 13+
Time to play: 60-120 Min
Review: 4.4/5
List Price: $59.99
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Civilization

Civilization recreates the best-selling computer game series as a strategy map-based board game. In this fast-paced and convenient adaptation, players lead their nations to compete for territory, technology, and game-changing wonders. Taking a turn is as simple as using a single card, but there is a deep strategy in choosing which of your five cards to use. You could use caravans to build diplomatic connections with your neighbors or defeat them with your army force. You could extend the grasp of your culture or research exceptional versions of your cards. You could use your production toward an essential new city or a mighty world wonder. With randomized goals and a unique map crafted each game anew, no two games are identical.

Players: 2-4
Ages: 14+
Time to play: 60-120 Min
Review: 4.5/5
List Price: $43.99
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A Game of Thrones

King Robert Baratheon is dead, and the lands of Westeros brace for fighting. Can you claim the Iron Throne?

In A Game of Thrones, players must compete for dominance of the realm by controlling the Great Houses of Westeros. Muster troops and march to war on a map of Westeros. Six different Great Houses offer unique, asymmetrical play experiences. Gameplay proceeds throughout ten rounds, after which the player who has secured the most castles or fortresses is proclaimed the victor.

Players: 3-6
Ages: 14+
Time to play: 180 Min
Review: 4.5/5
List Price: $50.36
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Steam

Steam is a modern European classic that celebrates one of the world’s most essential and enduring passions: trains and railroads. Use your first investment to create a railway. Then pick up products where they are planted, mined, or produced and deliver them to the right demand place. Perform a delivery, earn the cash you need to get bigger and faster trains, and extend your railway empire. Win the game by creating the most efficient railroad empire. With over a million variations, Euro rails never get old. You choose where to put your tracks. Your only barriers are competing ways and Europe’s great ranges, rivers, and channels.

Players: 3-6
Ages: 12+
Time to play: 90 Min
Review: 4.6/5
List Price: $29.99
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Diplomacy

At the turn of the twentieth century, the seven Great European Powers engage in an obscure fight for domination. Armed forces invade and withdraw, changing boundaries and shifting empires with subtle movements and daring gambits.

Diplomacy requires players to form alliances and hatch traitorous plans as they negotiate and deceive – in a fragile equilibrium of collaboration and competition – to gain dominance of the continent. Success in Diplomacy relies not on the luck of the dice but on your cunning and ingenuity.

Players: 2-7
Ages: 13+
Time to play: 360 Min
Review: 4.6/5
List Price: $29.99
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Hannibal Rome vs Carthage

One of the most famous army leaders and strategists in history descends on the Roman Empire once again. Created with all new artwork from Kurt Miller, this is an edition of the popular Avalon-Hill version from 1996. Players use Strategy Cards for various purposes, including moving generals, levying new troops, strengthening existing armies, gaining political control of the provinces affected in the war, and introducing historical events. When two armies meet on the battlefield, a second set of cards, called Battle Cards, are applied to determine the winner.

Players: 2
Ages: 14+
Time to play: 150 Min
Review: 4.7/5
List Price: $69.99
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Twilight Struggle the Cold War (1945-1989)

In 1945, dubious allies fell Hitler’s war machine, while humanity’s most destructive weapons pushed the Japanese Empire to its knees in a hurricane of fire. Where previously there were many great powers, there then stood just two. The planet had limited months to sigh its collective relief before a new war threatened. Unlike the previous decades’ enormous conflicts, this struggle would be made not primarily by soldiers and tanks but also by spies, diplomats, scientists, and collaborators.

Twilight Struggle is a quick-playing, low-complexity, two-player strategic board game reproducing the 45-year dance of flirtation, prestige, and sporadic flashes of hostilities between the USSR and the U.S. It begins in the ruins of Europe as the two new “superpowers” struggle over the wreckage of the Second World War and ends in 1989 when only the United States was still standing.

Players: 2
Ages: 14+
Time to play: 45 Min
Review: 4.7/5
List Price: $54.73
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Terra Mystica Board Game

In the land of Terra Mystica, 14 distinct groups, each with different skills, live in seven areas. Each faction is connected to a specific terrain, making it difficult for them to grow in regions of different types. Thus, players must commit to terraforming the world in favor of their groups to build their structures and expand their territory. This is a game with very little luck involved, and each group must depend on their abilities.

Players: 2-5
Ages: 12+
Time to play: 45 Min
Review: 4.7/5
List Price: $57.97
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Brass Birmingham Board Game

Brass: Birmingham is an economic strategy board game and a sequel to Martin Wallace’s 2007 masterpiece. It transports players to the Industrial Revolution era in Birmingham, spanning 1770 to 1870. The goal is to develop and manage industries, navigating both high and low market demands. The game unfolds in two distinct phases: the Canal Era (1770-1830) and the Rail Era (1830-1870). Victory points (VPs) determine the winner, awarded based on successful business ventures.

Players: 2-4
Ages: 16+
Time to play: 60 Min
Review: 4.7/5
List Price: $72.95
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Risk

Risk is the classic strategy board game of diplomacy and conflict. Launched in 1959 and played by millions since Risk continues to be a must-play for lovers of strategic board games. Whether you favor challenging your family and friends on the original board or through one of the various special editions, Risk guarantees epic clashes, fortunate moves, and memorable triumphs. Claim the continents and rule the world!

Players: 2-5
Ages: 10+
Time to play: 45-90 Min
Review: 4.7/5
List Price: $32.75
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Trekking The World

Trekking The World is a family-friendly board game that combines strategy with educational content. Players embark on a virtual journey around the world, visiting famous landmarks and natural wonders represented by beautifully illustrated cards. Each turn, players choose destinations to visit, collecting cards that depict these locations and scoring points based on the number of locations visited and the variety of continents explored. The game is designed to be easy to learn yet engaging for both children and adults, making it an ideal choice for family game nights or casual gaming sessions.

Players: 2-5
Ages: 10+
Time to play: 45-90 Min
Review: 4.7/5
List Price: $49.95
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Plunder

Plunder is an adventurous strategy game where players command a fleet of ships and explore a modular map made up of ocean tiles. Set in a world of high seas and hidden treasures, players compete to seize islands rich in resources, engage in naval battles with rival fleets, and ultimately claim dominance over the seas. The game offers a blend of strategic planning, tactical maneuvering, and a dynamic playing environment that changes with each game session, ensuring replayability and excitement for all players.

Players: 2-6
Ages: 10+
Time to play: 40-120 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $45.27
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Undaunted: Normandy

Undaunted: Normandy is a World War II-themed deck-building game that combines tactical strategy with resource management. Set during the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944, players command either American or German forces, maneuvering units across a modular board to complete objectives and achieve victory. The game’s innovative deck-building mechanics allow players to recruit new units, deploy them strategically, and adapt their tactics based on changing battlefield conditions. With scenarios inspired by historical events and a focus on immersive gameplay, Undaunted: Normandy offers a deeply engaging experience for both casual gamers and history enthusiasts alike.

Players: 2
Ages: 14+
Time to play: 120 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $31.60
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Mage Knight Board Game

Mage Knight is an epic fantasy board game set in the mystical world of the Atlantean Empire. Players take on the roles of powerful Mage Knights, exploring the land, conquering cities, and battling monsters as they build their armies and gain fame. The game combines elements of deck-building, role-playing, and strategic combat, offering players a deep and immersive experience with multiple paths to victory. With its rich thematic storytelling, complex gameplay mechanics, and vast replayability, Mage Knight challenges players to harness their magical abilities and conquer the realm like true Mage Knights.

Players: 1-4
Ages: 14+
Time to play: 150 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $64.00
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Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars is a strategy game set in the 2400s, where players represent competing corporations tasked with terraforming the Red Planet. Through resource management, strategic planning, and card drafting, players must raise temperature, oxygen levels, and create oceans to make Mars habitable for human life. The game’s deep strategy, variable player powers, and a vast array of project cards ensure each game is different, offering endless replayability and a challenging experience for both casual gamers and seasoned strategists.

Players: 1-5
Ages: 12+
Time to play: 50 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $55.30
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Catan

A game that has taken the world by storm, Catan (previously known as The Settlers of Catan) is the first of the modern European-style strategic board games to gain mainstream popularity.

Begin with the land of Catan – a different and unique world built by tiles each game. Assign the numbers that indicate which roll of the dice will produce the materials that will develop the land. Players must strive to build towns, cities, and roads. Resources can be exchanged, and strategic moves are essential to gaining an advantage.

Since its release in 1995, Catan has had numerous expansion packs and variations, but the original game continues to be a beloved classic.

Players: 3-4
Ages: 10+
Time to play: 60 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $47.84
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Concordia

Concordia is a strategic economic game set in the Roman Empire, where players take on the roles of Roman merchants seeking to expand their trade networks and influence across the Mediterranean. Through card play and resource management, players establish colonies, trade goods, and build cities to earn points. The game’s elegant mechanics, simple rules, and deep strategic depth make it a favorite among board game enthusiasts looking for a challenging and rewarding gameplay experience set in ancient times.

Players: 2-5
Ages: 13+
Time to play: 90 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $49.24
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War of the Ring

War of the Ring is an epic strategy game set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, where players command the Free Peoples or the Shadow Armies of Sauron in a battle for the fate of Middle-earth. Players must muster armies, forge alliances, and undertake quests as they seek to either destroy the One Ring or conquer Middle-earth in the name of darkness. The game’s rich thematic immersion, detailed miniatures, and strategic depth offer players an unparalleled journey through Tolkien’s legendary world, making it a must-have for fans of both board games and The Lord of the Rings.

Players: 2-4
Ages: 13+
Time to play: 180 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $68.54
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Lords of Waterdeep

Lords of Waterdeep is a strategy game set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe of Forgotten Realms. Players take on the roles of powerful masked Lords of Waterdeep, recruiting adventurers to complete quests and expand their influence over the city. The game combines worker placement mechanics with quest completion and resource management, offering a blend of strategic depth and thematic immersion. With its accessible gameplay and rich storytelling, Lords of Waterdeep appeals to both fans of Dungeons & Dragons and strategy board games alike.

Players: 2-5
Ages: 12+
Time to play: 60 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $48.70
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Power Grid

Power Grid is an economic strategy game where players compete to build and manage power plants across a dynamic map of interconnected cities. Players must balance resource management, auctioning for power plants, and expanding their network of power lines to supply electricity to the most lucrative markets. With its deep strategy, player interaction, and a modular game board that offers endless replayability, Power Grid challenges players to think critically and strategically as they vie to become the most successful power company in the region.

Players: 2-6
Ages: 13+
Time to play: 45 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $39.19
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Paths of Glory

Paths of Glory is a strategic card-driven war game set during World War I, where players take on the roles of the Central Powers or the Allied Powers. The game recreates the sweeping conflicts of the Great War, from the Western Front to the Eastern Front, through a series of historical scenarios and campaigns. With its detailed historical accuracy, complex gameplay mechanics, and emphasis on strategic planning and diplomatic maneuvering, Paths of Glory offers a deep and immersive experience for history enthusiasts and strategy gamers alike.

Players: 2
Ages: 14+
Time to play: 45 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $64.10
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Pandemic

The pandemic is an exhilarating collaborative board game. Various plagues have begun spreading all over the globe. Players work collectively as they race against time to treat diseases, research treatments, and save the planet. Utilizing their character’s distinct skills, players travel around the world, manage plagues, and attempt to sequence the cure before the situation worsens.

With a relentless pace and constant suspense, Pandemic is a favorite for many who enjoy strategy-based board games with a collaborative twist.

Players: 2-4
Ages: 8+
Time to play: 45 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $27.93
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Command and Colors: Ancients

Command and Colors: Ancients is a tactical war game that recreates ancient battles between Rome and Carthage. Using a card-driven system, players command armies of infantry, cavalry, and war machines across a hex-based battlefield. The game’s scenario-based gameplay, historical authenticity, and accessible rules make it a favorite among both casual gamers and seasoned war game enthusiasts interested in ancient history and strategic warfare.

Players: 2
Ages: 13+
Time to play: 45 Min
Review: 4.9/5
List Price: $37.99
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Ticket To Ride

Ticket to Ride is a classic train adventure board game where players collect train cards to claim railway routes connecting cities across North America. Players score points by completing routes and connecting distant cities, while strategic blocking and route-building tactics add layers of depth and challenge. With its accessible gameplay, colorful board, and simple yet engaging mechanics, Ticket to Ride has become a beloved gateway game for both families and board game enthusiasts looking for fun and competitive gameplay.

Players: 2-5
Ages: 8+
Time to play: 30-60 Min
Review: 4.9/5
List Price: $47.99
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Railways of the World

Railways of the World is a strategic railway-building game where players compete to build and expand rail networks across various maps representing different regions and eras. Players must balance resource management, investment in infrastructure, and strategic planning to connect cities, deliver goods, and earn points. With its modular board, multiple expansion maps, and deep economic gameplay, Railways of the World offers both a challenging experience for strategy enthusiasts and a rewarding journey through the history of railway development.

Players: 2-6
Ages: 14+
Time to play: 120 Min
Review: 4.9/5
List Price: $90.68
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Twilight Imperium

Twilight Imperium is a board game of galactic conquest in which 3 to 6 gamers take on the part of one of 17 races competing for galactic control by armed force, political maneuvering, and financial agreement. Every race has an entirely different play activity.

These 17 nations are offered various ways to victory, but only one may get the throne of Mecatol Rex as the new rulers of the universe. No two board games of Twilight Imperium are ever identical. At the start of each galactic era, a mapboard is strategically and uniquely created using 51 galaxy tilings that feature everything from rich, unique planets and stars to asteroid fields and gravity holes. Gamers are dealt a hand of these tilings and take turns building the galaxy around Mecatol Rex, the capital planet located in the mapboard’s center. An ion superstorm may block your nation from growing through the universe, while a casually placed gravity hole may defend you from your nearest enemies.

Players: 3-6
Ages: 14+
Time to play: 4-8 Hours
Review: 4.9/5
List Price: $131.99
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Ticket to Ride: USA 1910 Expansion

Ticket to Ride: USA 1910 Expansion is an expansion for the popular train adventure game Ticket to Ride, adding new elements and challenges to the base game set in North America. In this expansion, players continue to collect and play matching train cards to claim railway routes between cities across the continent. The expansion introduces additional ways to score points, including bonus points for completing Destination Tickets and building the longest continuous route.

The expansion includes a new board map of North American train routes, 225 colored train cars, 144 illustrated cards, five wooden scoring markers, and a rules booklet.

Players: 2-5
Ages: 8+
Time to play: 30-60 Min
Review: 4.9/5
List Price: $17.59
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Scythe

Scythe is an engaging strategy board game set in an alternate history of the 1920s. It is a time of farming and war, fractured hearts, and rusting machines. The ashes of the first great war still darken the snow.

Scythe is a complex game of economy and combat. Players must build their infrastructure, gather troops, explore new areas, and confront competitors. Every part of Scythe combines to create a remarkably immersive strategic experience. The story, the artwork, the mechanics, and the struggle all work together to draw you into this extraordinary world.

Players: 1-7
Ages: 14+
Time to Play: 90-115 Min
Review: 4.8/5
List Price: $59.49
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Memoir ’44

Memoir ’44 is a World War II-themed tactical war game that allows players to relive famous battles from the war’s Western Front. Players command infantry, tanks, artillery, and other units across hex-based battlefields, using a card-driven system to activate units and execute attacks. With its accessible gameplay, historical scenarios, and immersive battlefield atmosphere, Memoir ’44 offers both casual gamers and history buffs a compelling and interactive way to experience key moments from World War II.

Players: 2
Ages: 8+
Time to Play: 30-60 minutes
Review: 4.9/5
List Price: $49.99
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Root

Root is an asymmetric war game where players take on the roles of different factions vying for control of a vast woodland. Each faction has unique abilities, goals, and play styles, from the woodland alliance building rebel forces to the Marquise de cat expanding industrial empires. The game combines area control, resource management, and strategic planning, offering a dynamic and competitive gameplay experience with high replayability. With its charming artwork, engaging narrative, and deep tactical depth, Root has garnered acclaim for its innovative design and thematic richness.

Players: 2-4
Ages: 10+
Time to Play: 60-90 minutes
Review: 4.9/5
List Price: $59.99
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Conclusion

These 33 map-based strategy board games present diverse challenges, engaging gameplay, and limitless replay value. Whether delving into historical epochs, exploring fantastical realms, navigating cooperative crises, or commanding intense military campaigns, these games exemplify the pinnacle of strategy gaming.