Tabletop games with miniatures are engaging and provide a unique experience. High-quality miniatures add to the game design and make the game more life-like. They also show off the production value of the game and make it more attractive to gamers or collectors.
However, miniatures games can be intimidating to gaming newcomers. It can be daunting to choose which tabletop miniatures game is the right one for you. Such games can be an investment, as well, so you have more riding on the decision. But don’t worry- I’ve got your back.
In this article, you’ll find 10 of the best miniatures games in terms of gameplay, miniature quality, and overall entertainment value.
Ready to get started? Keep reading to learn more.
Contents
- 1 Miniature Board Games At a Glance
- 2 Tabletop Miniatures Game Reviews
- 2.1 Doom: Best Overall Miniatures Game
- 2.2 Star Wars Legion: Best Cinematic Game
- 2.3 Star Wars Rebellion: Best Asymmetric Game
- 2.4 Twilight Imperium: Best Sci-Fi Game
- 2.5 A Song of Ice & Fire (Game of Thrones): Best Game for Beginners
- 2.6 Warhammer 40K: Leviathan: Best Wargame
- 2.7 Cthulu: Death May Die: Best Cooperative Board Game
- 2.8 Ankh: Gods of Egypt: Best Thematic Game
- 2.9 Resident Evil 2: Best Video Game-Based Game
- 2.10 Elder Scrolls vs. Skyrim- From the Ashes: Best RPG Miniatures Game
- 3 Miniatures Games Buying Guide
- 4 Best Board Game with Miniatures: Final Verdict
Miniature Board Games At a Glance
Much like Dungeons & Dragons dominates the tabletop RPG genre, Warhammer is the king of miniatures games. But there are several other games out there that are worth considering. It all depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want a board game that doesn’t take hours to play, you should look at Song of Ice & Fire. It has a shorter playing time, averaging 45-60 minutes. It’s great for single gaming sessions.
If you have extra cash and want something epic in scale, definitely go with Warhammer 40,000: Leviathan. This two-player game is fantastic, but its steep price tag makes it a splurge pick.
If you want a cinematic feel, I would go with Star Wars Legion. It recreates epic battles from the movie trilogy, so Star Wars fans can have an immersive gaming experience.
Looking for a cooperative game? Cthulu is your best bet. It enters the sci-fi horror world of H.P. Lovecraft and creates a cooperative experience that’s just plain fun.
Finally, if you want some of the best mechanics, I recommend Doom. It plays smoothly, scales well to two players or up to five players, and has fantastic miniatures.
Tabletop Miniatures Game Reviews
Doom: Best Overall Miniatures Game
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 90 minutes
Age: 14+
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
Doom is a tactical combat game inspired by the blockbuster video game. This board game brings the epic battle between elite marines and Hell’s most threatening monsters to the tabletop.
Descend into the hellish landscape of Doom and join the war between demon and marine. This is an asymmetrical game that pits one player and their arsenal of bloodthirsty demons against the other players, who play as marines. Each marine is equipped with a customizable deck of intimidating weapons and hardy armor, numerous lives, and the ability to kill weakened enemies within range.
Doom is a strategy board game. Every mission presents you with a unique map, specific rules, various objects to retrieve, and objectives for both sides. It will require careful planning for you to achieve your objective, regardless of which side you play. You’ll have to use your special abilities and prevent your opponent from completing their objectives.
This board game reminds me of a sci-fi version of Imperial Assault in the structure and key components. It’s a fast-paced struggle with ever-changing battle conditions. This means Doom has a high replay value. The nice thing is that the game scales, so if you’re playing with just two players, the marine gets extra gear and perks to keep the game balanced.
But this game really shines when it comes to miniatures. The theme is strong, and the artwork is amazing. The miniature pieces are stunning, especially the larger demons. The two-sided map tiles have a human colony on one side and the depths of hell on the other. It’s no surprise considering Doom is a Fantasy Flight game, but the production value is outstanding.
Pros
- High replay value
- Well-balanced
- Stunning artwork
- Very high quality miniatures
Cons
- Lengthy game time
Star Wars Legion: Best Cinematic Game
Players: 2
Playing Time: 3 hours
Age: 14+
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
It’s no surprise that one of the most popular movie franchises in history would have a miniatures board game. What’s interesting is that there are actually three Star Wars board games with miniatures, each with a different focus. X-Wing specializes in ship battles, and Armada is grand in scale with massive fleet battles. Star Wars Legion, however, has a stronger focus on ground combat.
Legion is a wargame that’s easy for new players to get into, and it’s designed to recreate epic duels from the original Star Wars trilogy. The basic rules are incredibly simple, and the models are easy to build. You can paint and assemble your own miniatures as you prepare to battle enemy forces as a rebel player or as a player for the dark side.
Star Wars Legion is a two-player game of full-on warfare. Each player controls their forces and has a variety of units to choose from. All of the stats for each unit fit onto a single standard-sized card and there are basically just two sides to choose from, the Empire and Rebel Alliance. The game mechanics are designed to simulate the chaos of battle, but the game is streamlined.
While the game does include well-known characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi, it more closely resembles the miniatures game Warhammer, with an emphasis on troopers. Players also get the chance to command AT-ST walkers and land speeders in addition to the stormtroopers.
Star Wars Legion lasts for six rounds. At the end of those rounds, the player with the most victory tokens wins. Players acquire tokens by accomplishing objectives during play. There is definitely strategy involved, but dice rolling adds an element of luck to it. You’ll move troops, attack the enemy, and fill objectives.
The special dice are eight-sided and feature symbols for success and failure, along with measuring sticks for moving your units in set blocks. This makes the gameplay much more streamlined, which is great for both beginners and veteran gamers.
I would highly recommend Legion if you want the best miniatures combined with sleek mechanics. If you want more Star Wars, find the best Star Wars games to complete your collection.
Pros
- High-quality miniatures
- Custom dice
- Incorporates unique infantry battles
Cons
- Lengthy playing time
- Requires another set to play
Star Wars Rebellion: Best Asymmetric Game
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 3-4 hours
Age: 14+
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
Star Wars Rebellion recreates the classic showdown between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire. Players experience the conflict of the trilogy in this elegantly immersive asymmetric board game.
Up to two other players control the Rebel forces, with a drastically smaller army of troopers, Corellian Corvettes, and fighter squadrons. In spite of their small size, however, the Rebels seek to unite the peoples of the galaxy behind their cause.
The Empire player must comb through the galaxy and locate the hidden Rebel base. If they are successful, they’ll turn the galaxy to the dark side. It’s a classic game of cat-and-mouse.
This board game features more than 150 plastic miniatures and two game boards that represent 32 of the Star Wars galaxy’s systems. It includes well-known loved and hated characters, from Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader to Leia Organa and Han Solo.
Both sides have their own beautiful and detailed miniatures for both space and on the ground that feature infamous Death Stars, AT-ATs, Corellian Corvettes, and Rebel Snowspeeders. Players use legendary heroes to create their own unique stories.
Star Wars Rebellion is grandiose in scale but still feels personal and accessible. If you want to experience the big picture and the small details, you’ll love the Galactic Civil War featured in Star Wars: Rebellion.
Pros
- High-quality minis
- Streamlined mechanics
- Plays like the trilogy
- Strong theme
Cons
- Expensive
Twilight Imperium: Best Sci-Fi Game
Players: 3-6
Playing Time: 4-8 hours
Age: 14+
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
Twilight Imperium is an epic space opera of exploration, political intrigue, and combat. This board game allows you to amass huge armies as you fight for control of the galaxy. Oh, and there are Space Lions. What more could you want?
In Twilight Imperium, players represent one of 17 alien factions vying for the title of galactic emperor. Players must use combat, diplomacy, and strategy to defeat opponents and seize control of the galaxy. The first player to achieve 10 victory points wins the game.
Each player uses fleets of warships and ground troops to protect their power. Their forces are represented through an abundance of miniature ships. Despite the small size, the miniatures carry plenty of variety, ranging from the smaller carrier ships to the larger and imposing War Suns.
Players don’t have to struggle to tell the minis apart, as each one is well-designed and has a distinctive appearance. Ground troops have less variety, but still carry an impressive look. The models can be customized with paint. Create a unifying color scheme for your space ships, creating an imposing force that looks good on the game board.
Twilight Imperium is the epitome of ultimate strategy. Players take control of a race with unique attributes, technology, and a fleet of ships. Each faction offers a completely new play experience, so no two games are the same. Game sessions are long, though. It’s not uncommon for a gaming session to take up the entire weekend.
The game board is constructed using 51 modular galaxy tiles that feature planets, asteroid fields, supernovas, and much more. The armies fill every corner of the table as they spread across the hexagon tiles.
Even though this game can be played with three players, it’s better with four to six players. It really shines with six players, although finding five others to commit that kind of time to a game could prove difficult.
Twilight Imperium screams, “go big or go home.” It requires a lot of table space and time to learn and play. It’s a complex game of strategy, so it’s better suited for experienced gamers. But if you want the best epic adventure through space, Twilight Imperium can’t be beat.
Pros
- Abundance of minis
- Complex strategy
- Brilliant artwork
- Blend of cooperation & competition
- Highly entertaining
Cons
- Requires a lot of space to play
A Song of Ice & Fire (Game of Thrones): Best Game for Beginners
Players: 2+
Playing Time: 45-60 minutes
Age: 14+
Publisher: CMON Games
A Song of Ice and Fire is a different kind of Game of Thrones game compared to other board games out there. Most games set in the seven kingdoms of Westeros highlight the backstabbing and betrayal away from the battlefield. They involve secret scheming and assassination plots.
But A Song of Ice and Fire is an incredibly deep miniature wargame where you make your claim for the throne. In this miniatures game, you’ll enter the battlefield and take command of your favorite house from A Song of Ice and Fire. Overwhelm your opponent with a perfectly balanced military force and outwit them with devious tactics.
The action happens on the frontlines, where each house battles against one another. If you enjoy political scheming, never fear. You’ll assist your forces on the tactics board using skills of unscrupulous courtiers and diplomats. If all else fails, however, you can resolve your differences with massive bloodshed and brutal battlefield tactics.
A Song of Ice and Fire comes with over 100 miniatures in the starter set. Instead of using individual models as in skirmish games like Warhammer 40,000, the models in this board game sit on plastic trays that keep them tightly arranged in rows and columns. Each figure comes pre-assembled and color-colored to its house.
A Song of Ice and Fire allows players to recreate iconic battle scenarios with detailed and intricately designed miniatures. The starter set only includes basic Robb Stark and Lannister characters, but expansions can flesh out the core armies.
If you want a board game with a cinematic feel, high-quality miniatures, and plenty of war, A Song of Ice and Fire is the best game for you. If you aren’t a Game of Thrones fan, however, you may not find the game as appealing.
Pros
- Five game modes
- High-quality minis
- Easy to learn
- Minis are ready-to-use
Cons
- Can’t customize the miniatures
Warhammer 40K: Leviathan: Best Wargame
Players: 2
Playing Time: 90-240 minutes
Age: 12+
Publisher: Games Workshop
In this brand new title from Games Workshop, Warhammer 40,000 Leviathan is the tenth installment in the series of Warhammer games. This franchise has the most popular miniature wargames in the world, enjoying special popularity in the United Kingdom.
The premise is simple. Players enter a time of war. The galaxy writhes in conflict as the oppressive Imperium of Mankind teeters on the brink of annihilation. Heretic warlords, psychic witches, and alien empires attack, and fierce battles rage in every star system and planet.
Warhammer 40,000: Leviathan comes with two powerful armies of some of the best miniatures, pitting a force of mighty Space Marines against a swarm of Tyranids as they battle in the Fourth Tyrannic War. This game set also comes with a rulebook that helps you play complete games with your Citadel miniatures.
This Warhammer boxed set includes all the game’s core rules updated for the new edition, along with the rules for the new Combat Patrol format. The rulebook is a beast, coming in at a whopping 392 pages. Needless to say, this game has a steep learning curve.
You can play out narratives and develop your army from inexperienced recruits to veterans over the course of multiple Crusade campaigns in the Tyrannic War.
But here’s where this game takes it to the next level. The 72 plastic push-fit Citadel soldiers form the core of the two armies. Each miniature is designed to be pushed together without needing glue. Each army force has a flexible range of units with weapons and gear. They can also be bolstered with reinforcements to act as an elite core of a larger army.
Warhammer 40,000: Leviathan is designed for two players. This is a weekend warrior type of game that will require several hours of time, even longer if you’re unfamiliar with the Warhammer game series.
It’s also quite expensive. The game might become more affordable after it’s been out for a while, but it’s a behemoth of a box, so still expect to pay a pretty penny. Still, you can wait for it to go on sale if you want the game sooner rather than later.
Pros
- Superb production values
- Some of the best miniatures
- Epic scale, campaign play available
- Extremely fun
Cons
- Super expensive
- Steep learning curve
Cthulu: Death May Die: Best Cooperative Board Game
Players: 1-5
Playing Time: 90-120 minutes
Age: 14+
Publisher: CMON Games
If you’re a fan of H.P. Lovecraft sci-fi horror, Cthulu is right up your alley. This board game has players acting as investigators who must work to defeat an Elder God that is being summoned to Earth. They must blast the god to death before it gets a foothold in the world.
Cthulu is a cooperative mystery game, where players must work together. They will fight cultists, search for answers, and try to keep their minds from warping. With multiple investigators, story boxes, and a pair of Elder gods to vanquish, each game is unique and offers a new scenario.
Cthulu: Death May Die comes with 45 amazing miniatures, including a large Cthulu, Star Spawn, Fire Vampires, a large Hastur, cultists, investigators, and more. These miniatures are impressive in detail and sheer size. The monster minis are huge, adding to the terrifying factor. Players pick out their own miniature to fight against the dark armies.
You may wish to paint your own miniatures, which you can absolutely do with this board game. The rules are fairly straightforward and easy to learn, but it’s not “light and easy.” It’s complex and is difficult to win. The gameplay is definitely skewed toward the Elder god monsters.
If you’re ready to work with your friends to complete missions and defeat horrific monsters, you’ll enjoy playing Cthulu: Death May Die.
Pros
- High replay value
- Cooperative horror
- Unique miniatures
- Challenging & thematic
Cons
- Skewed toward monsters, difficult to win
Ankh: Gods of Egypt: Best Thematic Game
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 90 minutes
Age: 14+
Publisher: CMON Games
Ankh: Gods of Egypt was designed by Eric Lang, the same creator of Blood Rage and Rising Sun. Ankh: Gods of Egypt puts you in the role of an Egyptian god as the people of Egypt move toward a monotheistic religion. You must compete against the other gods in order to win the veneration of the people and claim your place as the one true deity.
Set in Egypt, Ankh is a strategy board game where players fight for the adoration of the ancient Egyptian people. Players win favor by dedicating monuments, recruiting monsters, and dividing the desert to establish power. Only one can emerge victorious.
Players perform two actions per turn, picking from the action board, but can only do a second action lower down the board than the first action. One interesting twist in this board game is that it’s possible for two gods to join forces and merge into one, giving them an advantage.
Ankh is a good example of a board game that can push the scale of its miniatures. These amazing miniatures not only have impressive detail and quality, but they can actually merge. The models themselves don’t combine together, but they can add their bases into each other, making the god taller and more imposing on the game board.
This board game requires a player to learn the rules and strategies to achieve victory. The game can be a bit punishing, but it’s a lot of fun to play. Ankh: Gods of Egypt was pledged on Kickstarter in 2020 but became available in 2021. It has earned its place as one of the best miniatures games.
Pros
- Unique miniatures
- Minis can combine
- Challenging gameplay
- Highly thematic play
Cons
- Learning curve
Resident Evil 2: Best Video Game-Based Game
Players: 1-4
Playing Time: 90-120 minutes
Age: 12+
Publisher: Steamforged Games
Based on the classic video game, Resident Evil 2 is a cooperative survival horror game for one to four players. Set in The Resident Evil Universe, players choose from a number of familiar characters before venturing into zombie-infested streets.
In Resident Evil 2, night has fallen over Raccoon City. A shroud of darkness hides the horrors within, but the undead are not the only monsters. This board game challenges you to survive as one of four characters: Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, or Robert Kendo. You’ll have to cooperate to stay alive.
Together, you’ll fight to get past mutant enemies, complete missions, and make your desperate escape before it’s too late. Avoid the Lickers and Zombie Dogs and stay among the survivors. Visit famous video game locations to complete scenario objectives. Search for clues and important items while you battle the clock.
This board game comes with 24 miniatures, one for each of the player characters, along with a dozen zombies and other miniatures. The two massive boss miniatures are the G-Mutant and Birkin Stage 3. Everything is assembled in a reusable plastic insert, so you can get these miniatures to the table immediately.
There are slight imperfections in many of the figures. Nothing that some small repairs can’t fix, but it can be frustrating. The board art is amazing, but it’s dark and a little difficult to see. The good news is that you don’t need to see the art to build the levels. Use the shape of the tiles, instead.
This board game has a single-player option, but it’s suited for up to four players. The multi-part campaign keeps track of player progress. This game has smooth mechanics. It’s nice that the zombies only move once a player takes actions. That design keeps the game moving quickly from turn to turn, but also gives the experience a strategic element.
Pros
- Single-player version
- Faithful to source material
- Good replay value
- Neat boss miniatures
Cons
- Some rules are unclear
- Some imperfections in miniatures
Elder Scrolls vs. Skyrim- From the Ashes: Best RPG Miniatures Game
Players: 1-4
Playing Time: 60-120 minutes
Age: 14+
Publisher: Modiphius Entertainment
The Elder Scrolls vs. Skyrim is a dungeon crawler expansion meant to be played with the original Skyrim board game. From the Ashes adds mini campaigns with increasing difficulty and rewards, new dungeon encounters, and powerful treasures.
For those who are new to Skyrim, the game takes place on the fantastical continent of Tamriel, where humans live alongside talking lizards and feline merchants. The world is filled with various factions, guilds, and kingdoms vying for control.
Players take on the role of a legendary group of heroes who long protected the Empire of Tamriel. Abandoned by the Empire, you must work together to save Skyrim from Grahkrindrog, an epic Ancient Dragon that will terrorize the nine holds.
Together, you’ll equip powerful staves, find sets of powerful armor, search the plains of Skyrim for the Standing Stones and harness their power.
This expansion offers new challenges for you and your group of heroes. Fight armies of Draugr, Skeletons and Dwemer Automatons. Face the Dark Brotherhood as they stalk you through the Strongholds of Skyrim. Hunt down the Bandit Queen in the wilderness. Face the ghosts of former Blades, as they haunt your adventures.
Choose your own miniature, like the Khajiit, Nord, or High Elf. The Grahkrindrog dragon miniature is massive and is imposing on the board. The miniatures are already assembled and colored for immediate play. There aren’t as many includes in this game as in other games, though.
If you enjoy dungeon crawlers and already have the Skyrim base game, I would recommend getting this expansion to go along with it.
Pros
- New scenarios & challenges
- Role-playing cooperative game
- Large-scale dragon miniature
- Great for established gaming groups
Cons
- Requires base game to play
Miniatures Games Buying Guide
A miniatures board game is a complete gaming experience in the box. All of the artwork and building is complete. You just need to figure out the rules and set up the game.
Most board games with miniatures belong in the sci-fi or horror genre. Games of this type should have detailed miniatures to represent well-known characters. They should be easily recognizable and sturdy.
One thing to watch out for is games that require you to purchase expansions to get the best characters. This tactic is fairly common, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying. Try to find a game that has your favorite characters included in the base game. After all, you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on games when all you wanted was a Luke Skywalker mini.
Another thing to consider is the type of game you’re wanting. Are you a fan of RPGs? Find a game that has different roles to choose from, along with scenarios to get you started. Like cooperative games? Find a game that includes that style of play. There’s a miniatures game for everyone, regardless of which game type you prefer.
Lastly, you’ll want to consider whether you want to paint your own set of miniatures. Some board games include pre-assembled and pre-painted figurines, which are perfect if you want to begin playing right away. However, if painting and assembling figures is part of the fun for you, grab a game that has unpainted miniatures.
Best Board Game with Miniatures: Final Verdict
When it comes to miniatures games, I recommend Doom. It’s fun, streamlined, adaptable, and has some of the best miniatures. If you can afford it, I also highly recommend Warhammer 40,000: Leviathan. It’s everything you’d expect from a Warhammer game, with amazing production value.