Top 11 Board Games Similar to Dungeons & Dragons for 2025

Dungeons & Dragons is a legendary brand that has inspired countless fantasy campaigns across unique player-crafted worlds. Despite its widespread acclaim, many players and Dungeon Masters have occasionally felt overwhelmed by the extensive world-building and rules management required. Isn't it appealing to enjoy the exploration, combat, and rewards of leveling up without the heavy lifting?

The answer is yes: consider playing a board game instead. There are numerous board games that capture the essence of a fantasy quest, but many either simplify the experience too much or are so intricate that they demand significant time and commitment. Here's a curated list of games that strike the perfect balance, ranging from licensed adaptations to timeless classics, ideal for those nights when you crave fantasy without the epic effort.

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D&D Waterdeep: Dungeon of The Mad Mage Adventure System Board Game

2See it at Amazon!

HeroQuest Game System

1See it at Amazon!

Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated

1See it at Amazon!

Dungeons & Dragons Onslaught

0See it at Amazon!

Descent: Legends of the Dark

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The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

1See it at Amazon!

Tiny Epic Dungeons

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Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

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Legacy of Dragonholt

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Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate

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Dungeons & Dragons: Bedlam in Neverwinter

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For a streamlined list of games, check out the horizontally scrolling catalog above. For more detailed insights into each game, continue reading.

D&D Waterdeep: Dungeon of The Mad Mage Adventure System

D&D Waterdeep: Dungeon of The Mad Mage Adventure System Board Game

2See it at Amazon!

For a board game that truly embodies the Dungeons & Dragons experience, start with the Adventure System games. These games distill the 4th edition rules into a more manageable format, complete with a board but no DM. Players explore dungeons by drawing tiles randomly, and monsters follow straightforward yet diverse AI routines outlined on their cards. The game includes a narrative campaign split into scenarios, with secrets to uncover, monsters to defeat, and treasures to collect. Dungeons of the Mad Mage is the latest in the series, but all are enjoyable and engaging.

HeroQuest Game System

HeroQuest Game System

1See it at Amazon!

While many D&D board games eliminate the need for a Dungeon Master, having one can enrich the experience. The modern reprint of the 1989 classic, HeroQuest, offers this option. The mechanics remain largely unchanged, with one player acting as the evil wizard and controlling the minions, while others play as heroes exploring dungeons to gain experience, treasure, and ultimately vanquish evil. It's also simple enough to be a great family game, perfect for parents to play with their children (check out our family board game recommendations).

Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated

Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated

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If you're looking for a more contemporary option, consider Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated. This game combines the popular Dungeons & Dragons podcast's branding with a legacy structure that evolves the game components as you play, making each copy uniquely yours. It blends the original's thrilling deck-building and adventure with a richer, more humorous narrative framework. For more information, explore our Clank! buying guide.

Dungeons & Dragons Onslaught

Dungeons & Dragons Onslaught

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While the Adventure System games slim down 4th edition D&D, Onslaught adapts the 5th edition rules into a skirmish board game. Two adventuring parties battle for dominance in a dungeon room, a scenario that mirrors the occasional party-on-party clashes in D&D. The game includes treasure chests and character leveling to enhance the authenticity. The translation of 5th edition rules to the tabletop is both engaging and tactically challenging.

Descent: Legends of the Dark

Descent: Legends of the Dark

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Modern adventure games increasingly use apps to manage the game, freeing players to focus on the adventure. Descent: Legends of the Dark exemplifies this trend with its comprehensive app that manages dungeon reveals, monster control, narrative pacing, and resource tracking for item construction. The game's physical components, including a 3D cardboard dungeon and detailed miniatures, elevate the tabletop experience.

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth

1See it at Amazon!

Inspired by Tolkien's epic, this game offers both overland and dungeon adventures, complete with combat and character progression. An app enhances the experience by allowing players to focus on the fun while introducing puzzles and riddles. Set between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, it lets players carve out their own slice of Middle-earth.

Tiny Epic Dungeons

Tiny Epic Dungeons

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If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, Tiny Epic Dungeons from the popular Tiny Epic series offers a compact yet expansive dungeon crawl. Heroes venture into a unique dungeon to level up and challenge the boss, all while racing against time as their torch burns down. The game features a quick playtime and a unique combat system that allows players to mitigate bad outcomes, delivering a satisfying adventure from a small box.

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

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Gloomhaven and Frosthaven are renowned for their extensive campaigns and innovative mechanics, but they can be overwhelming. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion offers a more manageable experience with the same engaging gameplay. As a prequel, it's a great entry point that can lead into the larger campaigns if desired.

Legacy of Dragonholt

Legacy of Dragonholt

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Expanding on the concept of choose-your-own-adventure books, Legacy of Dragonholt creates a multiplayer, highly detailed campaign with numerous branching paths. The game includes an activation token system for collective decision-making and strategic elements for skill and ability deployment, making it an excellent choice for group play or as a solo experience with a classic feel.

Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate

Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate

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A unique entry that diverges from traditional fantasy quests, Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate captures the essence of certain D&D sessions. Players initially collaborate to explore the city, but a haunt soon introduces a traitor among them, creating a dynamic and thrilling game with varied outcomes.

Dungeons & Dragons: Bedlam in Neverwinter

Dungeons & Dragons: Bedlam in Neverwinter

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Focusing more on puzzles than adventure, this escape-room style game challenges players to solve traps and riddles within the Icewind Dale setting. Designed for all ages and playable only once, it offers a unique twist on the genre, blending exploration, role-playing, and combat for a true tabletop RPG experience that culminates in an epic narrative conclusion.