Best Hex-Based Strategy Games: Hexagonal Tactics at Their Finest

Hexagonal grids solve the fundamental problem of square grids: diagonal movement. On a square grid, moving diagonally covers more distance than moving orthogonally, creating inconsistent range calculations. Hex grids provide six equidistant directions, making range, movement, and area effects mathematically clean. This is why so many of the best strategy games use them.

How We Selected: We tested options using extensive playtime, community consensus, and mechanical depth analysis. We prioritized gameplay depth, balance and fairness, community health, replayability. This content is editorially independent; no brand provided compensation for coverage.

Tactical Hex Games

Into the Breach places three mechs on an 8x8 hex grid against Vek insects. Every enemy action is telegraphed, creating perfect-information puzzles. The hex grid matters because displacement is the primary mechanic: pushing a Vek one hex north changes its attack direction entirely. Six directions mean six possible push outcomes per unit.

Battle Brothers is a hex-based tactical RPG where you manage a medieval mercenary company. Combat occurs on hex grids with elevation, forests, and swamps affecting movement and combat. A brother with a two-handed axe in a forest hex gets defense bonuses from the trees. A crossbowman on a hill hex gains range. Positioning determines which of your brothers absorb enemy attacks and which deal damage from safety.

Wesnoth (free, open-source) is the classic hex tactical game. Units have terrain defense percentages: an elf in a forest defends at 70% (30% chance to be hit), while the same elf on open ground defends at 40%. The hex terrain system creates natural advantages that reward tactical positioning over raw unit strength.

Songs of Conquest combines Heroes of Might and Magic overworld exploration with hex-based tactical battles. Your army’s composition determines available spells through the Wielder system: fielding more arcane creatures unlocks more powerful sorcery. Hex positioning matters for flanking bonuses and zone of control.

Grand Strategy on Hex Grids

Civilization 5/6/7 moved from square to hex grids starting with Civ 5, transforming the series. One-unit-per-tile on a hex grid creates actual tactical combat: flanking bonuses, terrain advantages, and formation considerations. A line of pikemen on hills behind a river is significantly harder to assault than the same pikemen on flatland.

Endless Legend uses hexes for both its strategic map and tactical battles. Each faction occupies hex regions containing cities and exploitation zones. Tactical battles zoom into the hex terrain for squad-based combat where unit positioning, terrain type, and flanking determine outcomes.

Old World (from Soren Johnson, designer of Civ 4) uses hex grids with a unique orders system. Instead of moving every unit every turn, you have a limited number of orders based on your ruler’s Legitimacy. This means you cannot micro-manage every hex: you must prioritize which units receive orders and which stand idle. The hex grid makes each positioning decision weightier because repositioning costs precious orders.

Board Game Adaptations

Twilight Imperium (digital adaptation) is a grand strategy board game on a modular hex map. Each player controls an alien faction competing for control of Mecatol Rex, the galactic capital. The hex map is built from tiles each game, creating unique layouts. Hex adjacency determines fleet movement, trade routes, and political influence.

Gloomhaven (digital adaptation) uses hex grids for dungeon-crawling tactical combat. Each character has a hand of ability cards played in pairs each round. The hex grid determines attack ranges, movement paths, and area-of-effect targeting. Positioning relative to doors (which reveal new rooms when opened) creates tension between advancing and defending.

Why Hexes Matter for Strategy

Hex games reward spatial reasoning skills that transfer across the genre. The six-direction system creates richer tactical possibilities than four-direction square grids while remaining more intuitive than free-form positioning. Understanding hex adjacency, range rings, and zone-of-control patterns makes you a better player in any tactical game.

For more tactical strategy, see our Into the Breach Advanced Tactics and Best Strategy RPG Hybrids. For grand strategy hexes, check Civilization 7 Beginner’s Guide.