TEN OF THE BEST

War-Euro, Wareuo or Weuro games, whatever name you give them

That’s war-euros to the rest of us – a vaguely defined, but exciting category on the cusp of both wargaming and Eurogames. These are games that offer the tight mechanical feel of a Eurogame, but the direct conflict, area control, and strategy of wargame. If you’ve been hovering around the edges of the battlefield but don’t fancy getting the tape measure out or painting too many miniatures – here’s your next best taste of steel.

More area control with a fast wargaming back and forth of playing a card until both players pass, when a conflict will break out. This well used mechanic is heightened by the fact that players remove factions from the board that they back, meaning you’re weakening those in the field for an advantage at court. Carefully manoeuvring between getting yourself a majority in the winning faction, and not having them lose out on the board is a tantalising dance. Of course, if you destabilise enough of the country, the French will fancy their chances – changing the end game scoring to about set collection. While not full of bloody battlefields, The King Is Dead offers a true feeling of conflict on a small board. Best played at two in our experience, but can go up to four as a team game.