The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Dungeons & Dragons Strategy Games

Dungeons & Dragons has long been a highly valuable and desirable video game intellectual property. However, the games that utilize this IP usually fall into the categories of CRPG, action-RPGs, or first-person dungeon crawlers. Although strategy is present in many of these games, categorizing all of them as strategy games is challenging.

Nonetheless, the Dungeons & Dragons universe has provided some genuinely strategic experiences over the years. These range from nostalgic titles from the 90s, groundbreaking turn-based games, to digital versions of popular board games.

6 Blood & Magic

Released in 1996 during the peak of RTS popularity, this meticulously crafted game fell into obscurity rather quickly. It offers a nostalgic RTS experience reminiscent of Blizzard's Warcraft, with a captivating storyline set in the Forgotten Realms' Utter East region.

Dungeons & Dragons: Blood & Magic presents players with the opportunity to achieve different endings based on their choice of faction. While it may bear resemblance to other games of its time, Blood & Magic sets itself apart with its innovative resource acquisition method. Rather than collecting resources from designated deposits, players must utilize obelisks created by transforming crucial "Golem" units. These Golems hold the dual purpose of transforming into formidable fighting units, introducing an intriguing risk-reward dynamic that necessitates careful management of economy and military forces.

5 Dungeons & Dragons: Lords Of Waterdeep

Lords Of Waterdeep, a critically acclaimed tabletop strategy game, was published by Wizards Of The Coast in 2012. Inspired by German board games, this modern classic revolves around worker placement mechanics. The game's immense popularity led to its digital adaptation on Steam in 2017.

Set in the renowned city of Waterdeep, also known as the "City of Splendors," in the Forgotten Realms, players take on the role of Lords. They strategically deploy their agents throughout the city to recruit adventurers and undertake various quests. With its turn-based gameplay resembling a tabletop experience, this digital adaptation offers the exciting option to play against AI opponents.

4 The Temple Of Elemental Evil

The Temple Of Elemental Evil, released in 2003, is a video game based on the renowned Dungeons & Dragons tabletop module written by Gary Gygax. It received relative praise, although it faced criticism for its lack of narrative and numerous game bugs. The game primarily focuses on dungeon crawling and utilizes tactical-turn-based combat with strategic elements, adhering to the Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 rules. However, it requires players to be familiar with the Dungeons & Dragons rule set, making it less accessible. Nonetheless, fans of CRPGs who are willing to overlook its flaws may find The Temple Of Elemental Evil enjoyable.

3 Solasta: Crown Of The Magister

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Released on Steam in 2021, this turn-based tactical RPG offers a sophisticated combat system based on the 5th edition rules of Dungeons & Dragons. Drawing inspiration from the game's "System Reference Document," Solasta: Crown Of The Magister immerses players in a partially post-apocalyptic fantasy realm, teeming with remnants of a bygone era and treacherous dungeons. Embracing the essence of tabletop RPGs, the game revolves around party-based battles, inviting players to take control of a personally crafted group. With an intricate character creation tool reminiscent of classic tabletop RPGs, players embark on a journey rife with strategic and tactical encounters. The gameplay emphasizes the significance of player positioning and environmental awareness, complemented by familiar mechanics such as initiative rolls and opportunities for attacks.

2 Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard

Since its release in 2005, the game Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard has unfortunately been forgotten despite receiving critical acclaim. It is baffling that the game, which successfully captures the essence of the tabletop RPG while staying true to the RTS genre, has received little media attention.

In Dragonshard, players can enjoy a unique combination of real-time strategy gameplay with a twist. To gather resources, players must venture into dungeons with small groups of elite units to battle monsters and collect gold, which can then be used to build their armies above ground. This underground party-based gameplay adds depth and complexity to the game, giving it a more immersive D&D experience despite being an RTS.

1 Baldur's Gate 3

This highly anticipated third installment in the beloved Baldur's Gate series, created by the developers of Divinity: Original Sin 2, is set in the Forgotten Realms and introduces turn-based tactical combat where players command a team of adventurers. The game's combat primarily emphasizes player positioning and utilizing the diverse environments.

Baldur's Gate 3 offers an incredible level of player agency and control, both in the storytelling aspect and in how players can approach combat encounters. It is this sense of agency that drives the game forward and delivers an authentic role-playing experience to players. What truly sets Baldur's Gate 3 apart from most RPGs, however, is the extensive array of choices and possibilities enabled by a dynamic and reactive world, allowing players to have profoundly distinct experiences with the game.