Turn-based strategy (TBS) games have captivated gamers for decades with their blend of tactical depth, strategic planning, and rewarding victories. From classics like Civilization and XCOM to modern hits like Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Fire Emblem, TBS games offer a unique challenge: outsmarting your opponent one move at a time. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or a newcomer looking to sharpen your skills, mastering the art of planning and executing winning moves is key to dominating the battlefield—or the world map.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the essentials of TBS gameplay, explore proven strategies for success, and provide actionable tips to elevate your game. Let’s dive into the world of turn-based strategy and unlock the secrets to victory!
What Are Turn-Based Strategy Games?
Turn-based strategy games are a genre where players take turns making decisions, rather than acting in real time. Each turn represents an opportunity to move units, manage resources, attack enemies, or build empires—depending on the game. Unlike real-time strategy (RTS) titles like StarCraft, TBS games give you the luxury of time to think, plan, and execute your moves with precision.
Popular examples include:
- Civilization VI: Build and lead a civilization to greatness through diplomacy, war, and technology.
- XCOM 2: Command a squad of soldiers against alien invaders with tactical combat.
- Chess: The ultimate turn-based strategy game, distilled to its purest form.
The appeal of TBS games lies in their cerebral nature. Every decision matters, and a single misstep can unravel even the best-laid plans. So, how do you ensure your moves lead to victory? Let’s start with the foundation: understanding the game’s mechanics.
Step 1: Master the Mechanics
Before you can plan winning moves, you need to know the rules of the game. Every TBS title has its own systems—resource management, unit stats, terrain effects, or victory conditions. Here’s how to get started:
Learn the Core Systems
Spend time exploring the game’s tutorial or manual. In Civilization, for example, you’ll need to understand how science, culture, and military strength interact. In XCOM, it’s about cover mechanics, hit percentages, and squad composition. Knowing what each action does—and its consequences—lays the groundwork for effective planning.
Study Your Units
Units are the heart of most TBS games. Whether it’s a knight in Chess or a sniper in XCOM, each has strengths, weaknesses, and unique abilities. Take time to read tooltips or experiment in low-stakes scenarios. Ask yourself:
- What’s the range of this unit?
- How much damage can it deal or take?
- Does it have special abilities, like healing or area-of-effect attacks?
Understand Victory Conditions
Every TBS game has a goal—conquering the map, surviving waves of enemies, or achieving diplomatic supremacy. Align your strategy with the endgame. For instance, in Civilization, a science victory requires prioritizing research, while a domination victory demands a strong military.
Step 2: Plan Like a Grandmaster
Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to think strategically. Winning in TBS games isn’t about reacting—it’s about anticipating. Here’s how to craft a plan that keeps you ahead of the curve.
Think Several Turns Ahead
Like a chess grandmaster, successful TBS players visualize the board several moves into the future. Ask yourself:
- If I move this unit here, what can my opponent do next?
- How will this action affect my resources two turns from now?
- What’s my ultimate goal, and does this move get me closer?
In XCOM, for example, moving a soldier into an aggressive position might score a kill—but it could also expose them to enemy fire next turn. Weigh the risks and rewards.
Prioritize Objectives
You can’t do everything at once. Identify your short-term and long-term goals, then focus your moves accordingly. In Civilization, this might mean rushing a key technology like Writing early on, even if it delays military growth. In Fire Emblem, it could mean targeting an enemy commander to end the battle quickly.
Adapt to the Situation
No plan survives contact with the enemy—or RNG (random number generation). A missed shot in XCOM or an unexpected rival move in Chess can throw you off. Build flexibility into your strategy. Always have a Plan B, like a fallback position or an alternative resource sink.
Example: In Divinity: Original Sin 2, if your mage’s spell fails to crowd-control enemies, reposition your tank to block their advance while you regroup.
Step 3: Execute with Precision
A brilliant plan is useless without flawless execution. Here’s how to turn your strategy into action.
Maximize Efficiency
Every turn counts. Avoid wasting moves by ensuring each action serves a purpose. In Civilization, don’t let workers sit idle—queue up improvements like farms or mines. In XCOM, position units to take high-percentage shots rather than gambling on long odds.
Leverage Terrain and Positioning
Terrain often plays a critical role in TBS games. High ground, cover, and chokepoints can turn the tide of battle. In Fire Emblem, placing an archer on a forest tile boosts their defense and evasion. In Chess, controlling the center of the board gives your pieces more mobility.
Manage Resources Wisely
Resources—whether gold, mana, or action points—are finite. Spend them strategically. In Civilization, overextending your empire can tank your economy, while in XCOM, burning through grenades early might leave you vulnerable later. Balance immediate needs with long-term sustainability.
Step 4: Outsmart Your Opponent
TBS games often pit you against AI or human players. To win, you’ll need to think one step ahead of them.
Read Their Moves
Pay attention to your opponent’s actions—they’re clues to their strategy. In Chess, a pawn push might signal an attack on your king. In Civilization, a rival building wonders could mean they’re chasing a culture victory. Use this intel to counter their plans.
Bait and Trap
Set up situations where your opponent makes a mistake. In XCOM, leave a soldier in half-cover to lure enemies into an ambush. In Chess, sacrifice a pawn to expose their queen. Smart baiting can shift momentum in your favor.
Exploit Weaknesses
Every strategy has a flaw. If your Civilization rival neglects their military for science, send in your cavalry. If an XCOM enemy clusters their units, hit them with a grenade. Look for gaps and capitalize on them.
Step 5: Learn from Every Game
Even the best strategists lose sometimes. The key to improvement is reflection.
Analyze Your Losses
After a defeat, review what went wrong. Did you overcommit units? Misjudge the enemy’s strength? Ignore a key mechanic? In XCOM, a squad wipe might teach you to scout ahead with a ranger next time.
Study the Pros
Watch tutorials, streams, or replays from skilled players. Platforms like YouTube and Twitch are goldmines for TBS strategies. For Civilization, check out creators like PotatoMcWhiskey; for XCOM, try Beaglerush’s legendary playthroughs.
Practice, Practice, Practice
There’s no substitute for experience. Play different scenarios, experiment with new tactics, and refine your approach. Over time, your instincts will sharpen, and winning moves will come naturally.
Top Turn-Based Strategy Games to Test Your Skills
Ready to put these tips into action? Here are some of the best TBS games to challenge your strategic prowess in 2025:
- Civilization VI
- Why Play: Endless replayability with multiple victory paths.
- Key Strategy: Balance expansion with defense early on.
- XCOM 2
- Why Play: Tense, tactical combat with high stakes.
- Key Strategy: Use overwatch to control enemy movement.
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses
- Why Play: Deep storytelling paired with grid-based battles.
- Key Strategy: Pair units for combo attacks.
- Divinity: Original Sin 2
- Why Play: Creative freedom in combat and exploration.
- Key Strategy: Combine environmental effects (e.g., oil + fire) for devastating results.
- Chess
- Why Play: Timeless strategy distilled to its essence.
- Key Strategy: Control the center and protect your king.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even seasoned players slip up. Watch out for these pitfalls:
- Overextending: Expanding too fast in Civilization or rushing ahead in XCOM can leave you vulnerable.
- Ignoring RNG: Randomness is a factor in many TBS games. Plan for worst-case scenarios.
- Neglecting Defense: A strong offense wins battles, but a solid defense wins wars.
- Tunnel Vision: Don’t focus so much on one goal that you miss the bigger picture.
Final Thoughts: The Art of the Winning Move
Turn-based strategy games are a test of patience, foresight, and adaptability. By mastering the mechanics, planning ahead, executing with precision, and learning from every match, you’ll transform from a novice into a tactical genius. Whether you’re conquering empires in Civilization, saving Earth in XCOM, or checkmating a king in Chess, the thrill of a perfectly executed strategy is unmatched.
So, fire up your favorite TBS game, apply these tips, and start plotting your path to victory. What’s your next move?
Zareb Saleh is a journalist at Gulf Today and a ghostwriter for Gameoholic, specializing in gaming, technology, and digital culture. With a keen eye for industry trends, he delivers insightful stories that engage and inform readers.