The number of fantastic fantasy board games available on the market is increasing along with the popularity of board games. There is undoubtedly a fantasy board game out there for you, whether you enjoy more traditional fantasy settings like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter or more contemporary ones like Witcher or Game of Thrones. We’ll talk about a few of the top fantasy board games.

We have compiled a list of the top 13 fantasy board games on the market to assist you in selecting the perfect match for your upcoming gaming session. There is something for everyone on this list of board games with fantasy themes, from cooperative storytelling games to competitive strategy games.

best board games for fantasy

The top 13 fantasy board games are listed below:

1. War of the Ring

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, the epic conflict between the forces of good and evil is simulated in the cooperative board game War of the Ring. Players assume the roles of the story’s protagonists to combat the hostile troops, each of whom has unique skills.

Players take turns moving their heroes across the game board and performing various tasks throughout each round of the board game. These activities include combatting adversaries, rescuing kidnapped comrades, and looking for misplaced relics.

2. Lords of Waterdeep

A competitive strategic board game called Lords of Waterdeep is set in the Dungeons & Dragons setting Waterdeep, a fictional city. The game’s goal is for players to assume the role of one of the influential lords of the city, each with their own hidden agenda, and utilize their influence to seize control of the town.

Players take turns doing actions while the game is played over several rounds. Their fictional characters can perform tasks like appointing explorers, executing missions, and building structures. Being the first player to a predetermined number of victory points—awarded for completing quests and achieving other objectives—is the purpose of the board game.

3. Gloomhaven 

A cooperative dungeon-crawling board game called Gloomhaven is in a grim and dismal fantasy realm. Players assume the role of mercenaries, each with unique talents to fulfill missions.

Players take turns moving their characters across the board in this enormous fantasy-themed game played over several rounds. Players can combat enemies, find treasure, and fulfill tasks as they progress across the board.

4. The card game Arkham Horror

A cooperative card game called Arkham Horror: The Card Game is set in the terrifying Cthulhu Mythos universe created by H.P. Lovecraft. Players assume the role of investigators to solve riddles and halt the reawakening of the Ancient Ones, each with unique talents.

Players take turns playing cards from their hands in this adventure game, played over a series of rounds, to investigate areas and battle creatures, and obtain goods.

Before the Ancient Ones awaken and destroy the planet, the game’s objective is to unravel several riddles. For lovers of H.P. Lovecraft or anyone who enjoys playing horror and fantasy games, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is an outstanding cooperative card game.

5. Munchkin 

A competitive card game called Munchkin is set in a fantasy-themed spoof. Players assume the role of intrepid explorers to combat monsters and find gold and must cooperate.

Players will use cards from their hands in this grand fantasy board game to do activities like attacking monsters, stealing treasure, and obtaining stuff.

Being the first player to complete a level is the game’s objective, which is accomplished by slaying monsters and gathering treasure. For fans of the fantasy theme or anyone who appreciates card games, Munchkin is a fantastic competitive card game.

6. Mage Knight board game 

The setting of the cooperative strategy board game Mage Knight is an alternate reality governed by the Atlantean Empire. Players assume control of one of four strong Mage Knights, each with a unique ability, and must cooperate in combating enemies and finishing objectives.

Players will alternately move their characters about the board, attack foes, cast spells, and fulfill objectives throughout several rounds.

The objective of the game is to finish a sequence of dreams that get harder as the game goes on. The awesome cooperative board game Mage Knight is ideal for strategy game enthusiasts and those who enjoy the fantasy genre.

7. Clank! Building a Deck: An Adventure

In the fantasy board game Clank! In a Deck-Building Adventure, players assume the role of thieves attempting to infiltrate a dragon’s lair to steal wealth.

The players must navigate the labyrinthine corridors while dodging traps and guards in addition to the monster that lurks in the Dungeon. Each card represents a different action that can be taken, so players must carefully plan their approach and pick their cards judiciously if they want to win.

8. Greetings from the Dungeon

In the board game Welcome to the Dungeon, players compete to discover who can explore the deepest into a dungeon filled with frightening fantasy creatures and traps.

The problem is that each player only has a small number of cards when they begin the game, and they must use these cards to take down the monsters they come across while simultaneously attempting to avoid receiving too much damage. Each player’s hand of cards will gradually get smaller as the game goes on, making it increasingly difficult to survive.

Anyone who enjoys a good challenge and wants to play an adventure board game will enjoy the fast-paced and fascinating Welcome to the Dungeon.

9. The board game for A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones is a board game based on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book series. Each participant in the game controls one of the Great Houses of Westeros, and their objective is to seize power over the Iron Throne.

As it is played on a Westeros map divided into regions called provinces, the board game has a fantasy element. A unique deck of cards represents the many individuals and places found in each province.

10. Eldritch Horror

The setting of the cooperative board game Eldritch Horror, based on the writings of horror author H.P. Lovecraft, is the 1920s. Another fantastic board game with a fantasy theme is available.

Players assume the roles of investigators who must traverse the globe in search of evidence and engage in monster combat to halt the reawakening of an ancient evil.

Although Eldritch Horror is a challenging and intricate game, it is also gratifying. It is unlike any other board game in that it evokes fear and tension, and the sense of satisfaction from putting an old evil to rest is very satisfying.

Eldritch Horror is worth checking out if you’re searching for an adventure game that is difficult, rewarding, and packed with fun.

Conclusion for the Best Fantasy Board Games

Even though many fantasy board games are available today, a select few still stand out from the crowd. Since they have been around for so long, games like “Pathfinder” and “Dungeons and Dragons” have established themselves as timeless classics. Most board games fall short when it comes to including an adventure and fantasy element in their game.