The best RPG board games are a great way to get your fix of Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder without needing to find six friends to join you. Often, these board games will be designed with role-playing in mind so the story can unfold over several sessions, allowing groups to play together at their own pace.
Unlike the best tabletop roleplaying games, which often focus on simulating combat and character creation, many of the best RPG board games allow players to skip the numbers and stats and just have fun exploring dungeons or battling monsters. You'll find everything from simple dice rolling party games that are perfect for younger gamers right through to more complex strategy-focused titles aimed at adults.
While most of these board game recommendations cater mostly to Dungeons & Dragons type RPGs, there are some that go further into the world of video game RPGs such as The Witcher - though even those tend not to stray too far from pen and paper worlds. That said, if you're looking for something like Battletech or Shadowrun then you'll need look elsewhere since we don't cover those types of tabletop RPGs in this guide (yet).
How We Choose
We've gathered the best RPG board games on the market so that you can find one that suits your tastes. Whether you're looking for a deep strategic experience or an immersive adventure, we have something for you.
We understand that not everyone has time to read through thousands of Amazon reviews (trust us, we've been there). That's why we've done the research for you.
With our help, you can spend less time searching and more time playing.
Dungeon! is a classic board game that's been around since the very beginning of tabletop gaming, and this latest version from Wizards of the Coast brings it bang up to date with some great new features.
The game still sees you exploring a dungeon filled with monsters, collecting treasure and trying to escape before your opponents, but there are some interesting new additions too. For example, there's an app that comes bundled with the box which manages all of the game's dice rolling for you. You can also use it to keep track of your character's health and fight off any enemies you encounter while exploring the dungeon. It makes Dungeon! an ideal choice for younger players who might struggle with traditional dice-rolling mechanics.
Dungeon! has more than enough going on underneath its simple exterior though. The gameplay is fast-paced and fun, making it perfect if you're looking for something quick and easy to play between longer games or as a filler in between turns during another board game night session.
Descent: Legends of the Dark is a cooperative dungeon-crawling board game that will keep you and your friends entertained for hours. It features beautiful 3D terrain, an intuitive app-driven A.I., and 50+ hours of quests to explore.
The story takes place in the fantasy world of Terrinoth where you'll fight against monsters controlled by the app. The gameplay is strategic with players working together to defeat enemies, gather resources, and complete quests. There are 14 different missions which can be played alone or cooperatively with up to four friends.
While Descent: Legends of the Dark does not have any expansions yet there are tons of cards included so you can create your own adventures too - making it perfect for fans who love lots of replayability.
There's a reason why Hero Quest has been dubbed the best tabletop game of all time, and that is because it really is. The miniatures in this game are beautiful, and even if you don't want to play with the pre-built quests that come with it, there are literally hundreds of fan-made adventures online to choose from.
The semi-cooperative element means that one player takes on the role of Game Master (or Zargon) who builds a dungeon using the provided tiles and creates enemies for your heroes to battle. It can be played as a stand-alone adventure or as part of an ongoing campaign where players create their own characters which develop over time and have their own set of equipment too.
There aren't many downsides to this game except that it does take some time getting used to playing since there are lots of pieces involved and you have to learn how they all move together like a chess board would. Once you do get past that learning curve though, you'll find yourself immersed in its fantasy world filled with monsters and magic galore!
Trivial Pursuit: Dungeons and Dragons is the ultimate game for any D&D fan. It features six different categories including magic, monsters, dungeons, characters, history and cosmology. There are a total of 300 cards featuring 1,800 trivia questions that revolve around the world's most famous role-playing game.
The board itself features six iconic movers - including Mind Flayer and Gelatinous Cube - that you'll race along as you answer questions in an attempt to reach the finish line first. There's also a plastic die so you can roll for additional movement if needed.
As you'd expect from a Dungeons & Dragons game, Assault of the Giants is full of fantasy creatures. You'll command an army of giants and battle for supremacy over your rivals by taking on missions. It's all about getting the right balance between harvesting resources and attacking other players to take down their settlements - it's not just about brute force.
Each player takes on the role of a different kind of giant - there are six to choose from including storm, cloud and hill giants. The Storm Giants are trying to restore their lost monarch King Hekaton while the Cloud Giants have set out in search of an ancient dragon treasure trove - whatever that may be! As well as collecting resources, you can also use cards to recruit new giants or send them out on missions if they're strong enough (they level up during the game).
Assault of the Giants comes with 12 plastic miniatures measuring 60-90mm which makes this ideal for fans who love playing with figures but don't want to paint them too.
Best RPG Board Games FAQs
It can be tough to figure out where to start when looking for a new board game. There are so many options available that it's tough to know which ones are worth your time and money.
It's even more confusing trying to figure out all the different terminologies and acronyms used when talking about board games, like RPGs, co-ops, worker placement games, and more!
We've created a list of some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about rpgs as well as our best answers!
Which Board Game Is Best For Your Brain?
There's no definitive answer to this question, but there are a few things to consider. First of all, it depends on your goals – is the game you're playing for fun and entertainment, or do you want an exercise that targets certain cognitive functions (like memory or reasoning)?
Secondly, the type of game matters. Generally speaking, card games are easier to play than board games in terms of rules and gameplay mechanics. So if you're new to board games or have players who aren't very familiar with them yet, then a card game may be best. However, while many card games can be played with just two people, most board games require at least three (and sometimes up to six or eight players). That means card games are better for small groups whereas board games are better for large groups.
What Is The Most Loved Board Game?
Aside from the perennial favorite, Monopoly, which isn't exactly a strategy game in and of itself but certainly popular among fans of all kinds of board games, there are many other favorites among gamers. Check out our list below to see how your favorite stacks up against the rest:
Top 10 Board Games Based on Buzz and Sales 1. Catan Publisher: Mayfair Games Players: 3-4 You can play this strategic island exploration game online or offline with friends - plus you get to build roads and settlements with your own hands! 2. Ticket to Ride Publisher: Days of Wonder Players: 2-5 This family-friendly ticket collecting game is easy enough for young kids to pick up while still providing plenty of strategy for adults. 3 Mayfair Games 4 Zpicide 5 Fantasy Flight 6 Ravensburger 7 Asmodee 8 Schmidt Spiele 9 Gamewright 10 Pressman
Conclusion
With so many great options available, it can be difficult to choose the best RPG board games that are right for you. Whether you're new to tabletop gaming or a seasoned veteran, there is an RPG out there that will fit your preferences and provide hours of entertainment. With fantastic storytelling, exciting gameplay and endless possibilities, these top-rated RPG board games are sure to give you the best tabletop experience possible.
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