5 Best Civil War Board Games In 2024, Recommended By Expert

Image: MomJunction Design Team

Civil war board games are a popular game format with compelling and interesting storylines. These time-tested entertaining games are designed around the American Civil War and deal with conflict, expansion, and other elements. We have compiled a list of the best Civil War board games that recreate the Civil War with interesting tools and intriguing rules to keep the players engaged. These best-selling tactical games involve making strategies, teaming up or breaking alliances with other players, and expanding to gain military power.

Top Picks

Best Paintable: Warlord Black Powder Epic Battles American Civil War Union Brigade

$31.32 on Amazon

Best With Naval Battles: GMT Games The U.S. Civil War

$65.11 on Amazon

Best Civil War: Upper Deck VS. System 2PCG

$23.66 on Amazon

Best With Warfare: Victory Games The Civil War

$89.5 on Amazon

5 Best Civil War Board Games

1. Best Paintable: Warlord Black Powder Epic Battles American Civil War Union Brigade

4.3

Image: Warlord

BUY ON AMAZON | $29.07

If you are looking for a war-themed board game, then opt for the tried-and-trusted Black Powder Epic Battles American Civil War Union Brigade by Warlord Games. It is inspired by the American Civil War, which took place between 1861 and 1865. This kit contains various plastic model soldiers with delicate detailing to resemble the soldiers of the Union army during the Civil War. You can paint and add details to these soldiers to make them look more realistic. The battles in the game are based on the Black Powder rules, with additional scenarios. To reenact the crucial battles of American history, you need at least two players, a set of dice, a large tabletop, and 15mm troops figures, following the rules of battle specified by Warlord Games. Whether you are a seasoned war-gaming veteran or just starting out, this American history board game can provide hours of immersive gaming experience.

2. Best War-Themed:Ebros Gift American Civil War Union North Vs. Confederate South Chess Board Set

BUY ON AMAZON

Are you a fan of role-playing board games? Then opt for this theme-based chess set by Ebros. Suitable for two players, it is a recreation of a war between the Southern and the Northern United States. The chess pieces feature various important historical figures, including President Lincoln, President Davis, General Grant, General Lee, and more. The board game includes a board made of premium frosted glass with checkered square boxes. Its chess pieces are made of polyresin and are individually polished and hand-painted. This set is suitable for children aged nine and above. Watch this review video to learn more about the historical board game.

Quick fact

Board games can help strengthen STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills, which helps develop an individual’s analytical and attention skills (1).

3. Best With Naval Battles:GMT Games The U.S. Civil War

4.7

Image: Gmt Games

BUY ON AMAZON | $47.95

Featuring among the best historical reenactment board games, the entertaining civil war strategy game by GMT Games is a two-player board game created around the American Civil War. This tabletop combat game covers the war from 1861 to 1865 on a large mounted map of the south-eastern United States. It comes with a player aid card, listed with different phases and levels of the game. In this game, players have to strategize, maneuver, and lead the war, providing an immersive game session. The military board game includes shorter scenarios covering 1861, 1862, and 1863. It also involves military forces represented by strength points and civil war generals, naval battle, forts, leader promotions, and commerce raiders for a fun and engaging game experience. Take a look at this review video to know more about this thrilling and tried-and-tested strategy board game.

Trivia

The oldest playable board game is ‘The Royal Game of Ur,’ which originated roughly 4,600 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia.

4. Best Civil War:Upper Deck VS. System 2PCG: The Civil War Battles

Image: Upper Deck

BUY ON AMAZON

Ideal for civil war board game enthusiasts, this tried-and-tested civil war game by Upper Deck is the first issue of the three-part Civil War story arc. It is based on the famous battle between Captain America and Iron Man over their different stances on the Superhero Registration Act. The world transforms into a big battlefield when the two strongest superheroes of all time stand against each other. Designed for players aged 14 and above, the battle game has a playtime of around 30 minutes. Suitable for playing by two players, you can decide between Team Iron Man and Team Captain America.

5. Best With Warfare:Victory Games The Civil War: 1861-1865 Board Game

BUY ON AMAZON

The strategic Civil War game involves extensive riverine and naval warfare, making it different from other conflict simulation games. Suitable for two players, this war board game includes a map that spans from the eastern seaboard to the middle of Texas. It includes a second map that extends to New Mexico. This civil war-themed strategy game offers a long playing time, loads of player interaction, and is suitable for children aged 12 and above. Each year offers five turns, and the troops have generic strength points. With your strategy skills and smart decisions, you can gain victory points when you capture neutral or enemy cities. This special board game includes 520 counters and a detailed description of the historical battle to guide the players.

Point to consider

Planning your moves in advance and anticipating your opponent’s reactions can help gain a strategic advantage in many board games.

How To Choose The Right Civil War Board Games?

If you plan to buy a civil war board game, keep these points in mind.

1. Quality: Ensure the board game components are made of high-quality materials for long-lasting performance. The details should be realistic to engage you in the storyline.
2. Rules: Choose a board game with simple rules for convenience. If the game is too complicated, players might not engage with it.
3. Customer reviews: Check the customer reviews to get first-hand information from the players themselves before buying a board game.

Why Trust MomJunction?

We have compared and reviewed various products across the market to compile this list. These products are child-friendly, and we have considered several user reviews to find the right products for a fun, engaging, and beginner-friendly game experience. These best-selling board games will improve the players’ strategizing skills, and the rules and components are easy to understand, making them suitable for players of all ages.

Infographic: Selection Advice For A Civil War Board Game

Board games have always been popular among individuals across all age groups due to their long hours of play, attractive and balanced gameplay, and strategy elements. Civil War board games can be a good genre, especially for the older generation and history fanatics. Look through the below infographic for some pointers you should keep in mind when selecting a civil war board game for optimal fun.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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