Armada – Best Tactical 2 Player
Star Wars Armada is a two player competitive space warfare miniatures game which captures the feeling of the larger Star Wars battles. This game is full of action and requires strategic and tactical decisions throughout.
Star Wars Armada at a Glance
| Game Type Thematic (Star Wars Theme) Science Fiction Miniatures Dice Rolling Variable Player powers | Play Time Approx 120 mins | Skill/Complexity (3.5 - 5) Medium - Heavy |
| Age 14+ | Publisher(s) Fantasy Flight Games | Published 2015 |
| Categories Thematic Wargames | Players 2 | Rules Manual Official Basic Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8.5/10 | Cost Approx $89.99 |
Within the game players assume the role of a Fleet Admiral serving with either the Rebel Alliance or Imperial Navy. Each player (Fleet Admiral) gives the commands that controls how the battle plays out. Various cards decide how star ships function and have many offer other cool functions. Dice rolling is used for attacking the opponents fleet that works well within the game.
The core game comes with various miniatures including a victory class star destroyer, 4 X-Wings and other components. We mention core set as Star Wars Armada has many expansions to expand the game if players enjoy playing and want to further the game.
There’s a heck of a lot going on in this game, however, players can gradually learn the gameplay via the learning scenario which really helps in understanding all the functions and components.
Best Suited for……………….
Two player Star War fans that want to engage in competitive space battle. A game that has a fair amount of complexity going on, requiring plenty of tactical decisions to be made.
Imperial Assault – Best Team Based (1 vs all game)
Imperial Assault is a two to five player game of Galactic Civil War between the Empire and Rebel Alliance. One player commands the armies of the Galactic Empire while other players are the heroes of the Rebel Alliance working together as a team
Star Wars Imperial Assault at a Glance
| Game Type Thematic (Star Wars Theme) Science Fiction Miniatures Dice Rolling Variable Player Powers Modular Board Team Based | Play Time Approx 60 - 120 mins | Skill/Complexity (3.5 - 5) Medium - Heavy |
| Age 14+ | Publisher(s) Fantasy Flight Games | Published 2014 |
| Categories Thematic, Wargames Strategy | Players 2 - 5 | Rules Manual Official Basic Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 9/10 | Cost Approx $99.95 |
Imperial Assault revolves around a campaign played out over multiple scenarios so you do need a consistent group of players to keep this game rolling. Players maneuver figures around a modular board to do battle after choosing which Star Wars character they would like to play, then maneuvers and actions are created through action cards and rolling the dice.
This is a Star Wars board game that can also be played in a two player mode (Skirmish battle), and in solo mode using the mobile app. When played in the 5 player mode it does play out best with 4 or 5 players.
Best Suited for……………….
Groups of 4 or 5 players dedicated to Star Wars and investing time to complete the various missions together. It helps if players enjoy the one verses all players type of game.
X-Wing Miniatures – Best Simplistic 2 Player
Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures is another 2 player game in this category….with a difference! This game has no board and functions with miniatures, dice, cards, tokens, maneuver templates and a few other bits and bobs.
Star Wars X-Wing Minatures at a Glance
| Game Type Thematic (Star Wars Theme) Science Fiction Miniatures Dice Rolling Variable Player Powers Player Elimination | Play Time Approx 30 - 45 mins | Skill/Complexity (2.8 - 5) Light - Medium |
| Age 14+ | Publisher(s) Fantasy Flight Games | Published 2012 |
| Categories Thematic, Wargames Strategy | Players 2 | Rules Manual Official Basic Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8.5/10 | Cost Approx $39.95 |
The exciting aspects of this Star Wars game is its simplicity and how engaging it is despite the simplicity. Having a lighter game works very well for many player types, plus having a gameplay time of around a nice and sweet 30 – 45 minutes works well too.
X-Wing Miniatures is fast paced and recreates a Star Wars combat in space with players needing to use their best tactics against each other within three unique missions. Much like other Star Wars board games by Fantasy Flight you’re able to begin with a tutorial to get to know how the game functions.
While this is a two player game it works great with two teams. It’s pure fun!
Best Suited for……………….
2 players or even 2 teams that can enjoy engaging in a fast paced war like combat in space. With its short play time, replay value, and how easy it is to learn, we can’t see Star War fans wanting to miss out on this one.
Outer Rim – Best of 2019
Star Wars Outer Rim is another Fantasy Flight Games publication which we initially thought was going to be overload from the company and the theme. However, Outer Rim has its fans and offers a lot of competitive fun.
Outer Rim can be played out solo or with up to 4 players and performs well on both fronts.
Star Wars Outer Rim at a Glance
| Game Type Thematic (Star Wars Theme) Science Fiction Adventure Modular Board Dice Rolling Variable Player Powers Pick up and Deliver | Play Time Approx 120 - 180 mins | Skill/Complexity (3.5 - 5) Medium - Heavy |
| Age 14+ | Publisher(s) Fantasy Flight Games | Published 2019 |
| Categories Thematic | Players 1 - 4 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 9/10 | Cost Approx $59.99 |
Star Wars Outer Rim is basically a pick up and deliver game with the Star Wars theme that functions with a modular board, various cards and dice rolling that deals with important actions. It kind of feels great to have no miniatures involved like others in the Fantasy Flight Games Star Wars category…..it feels boardy, if that makes sense.
Players take on a role of a smuggler, bounty hunter or mercenary, and while traveling the Outer Rim they hire Star Wars characters to join them to defeat or work with Rebels, Empire, Hutts, and crime syndicates. Players play to gain reputation and points to become a legend within the Galaxy and win, although the journey and not the end goal is the best thing about playing Outer Rim.
There’s a lot of actions and stuff to take care of while going though the game while completing goals and missions, which keeps it very engaging and extremely Star Warsy.
Best Suited for……………….
A solo player or up to four players that may have had an introduction to the Fantasy Flight Games Star Wars series of board games, although this could easily be the introduction. If miniatures are not your thing and modular boards with a lot of a pick up and deliver functions going on with a Star Wars theme is then, Outer Rim might be your thing.
Star Wars Risk Edition – Best Star Wars Themed Game
While most of our top picks within this category are published by Fantasy Flight Games we was really pleased to be able to add to very good themed classic game, and Risk definitely deserves a mighty mention. It’s a lot not like the original Risk which many people favor!
Star Wars Risk Edition at a Glance
| Game Type Thematic (Star Wars Theme) Science Fiction Dice Rolling Variable Player Powers Card Hand Management Area Movement | Play Time Approx 30 - 45 mins | Skill/Complexity ( - 5) Light |
| Age 10+ | Publisher(s) Hasbro | Published 2015 |
| Categories Thematic Wargame | Players 2 - 4 (2 is best) | |
| Our Rating 8.5/10 | Cost Approx $29.99 |
Star Wars Risk is a light science fiction wargame that’s easy to pick up and play in around 30 minutes. While a game can be played out in 30 minutes, don’t make the mistake of thinking it has nothing engaging or challenging within it – it does, and lots of ‘card n dicey’ fun.
This game can be intense and players must get their tactics together (skilled play is rewarded) even though some dice rolling luck is involved to help out.
Star Wars Risk is much easier for children to play than most of the other heavier Star Wars board games, and the short gamepley time is attractive for non serious gamers.
Best Suited for……………….
Star Wars fans that enjoy lighter board games that are packed with fun and speed rather than complexity and hours of gamepley.
Final Thoughts!
The above Star Wars board games was chosen based on what we found offered something for the many player types and trying to keep this category simple.
Quick Recap: Armada (the best tactical 2 player), Imperial Assault (best group game), X-Wing Miniatures (best simplistic 2 player), Outer Rim (best of 2019) and finally Star Wars Risk (best themed game).
There are plenty of other themed games such as Monopoly etc., and a few more from Fantasy Flight Games that you may wish to look into, however, these was the best of the crop for us!
May the dice force be with you!tar Wars Related
