Christmas is fast approaching and for anyone that’s a fan of tabletop games there’s a wealth of new releases available, including Dungeons & Dragon, Pokémon, and beyond.
Just like video games, the Christmas gift-giving season is vitally important for the tabletop gaming world, whether it’s board games, trading card games, or pen and paper role-players.
Not only are there lots of new sets and games but most of the biggest brands make an effort to attract new players with something that everyone can enjoy, and which can ensure no one will want to play Risk or Monopoly over the break.
Whether you’re shopping for a hardened hobbyist, who’s got time to leave dinner to paint some goblins, or a curious newcomer this list should have you covered, with plenty of budget friendly options and a number of boxed sets especially designed for new players.
Bloodbowl – Third Season Edition
Fantasy football doesn’t get much fiercer than Blood Bowl, Games Workshop’s gloriously over-the-top mash-up of sports and carnage set in the Old World. Forget fair play here, touchdowns and total mayhem go hand in hand as you take the role of coach and lead your squad to victory (or the infirmary).
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This latest edition pits the Brionne Barons, a gallant Bretonnian team of armoured nobles chasing honour on the pitch, against the Nehekhara Nightmares, reanimated Tomb Kings eager to prove the undead still have game. Every match is a spectacle of bone-crunching tackles, showboating heroes, and screaming fans.
Inside the box you’ll find everything you need to kick off your first season: two complete teams, a double-sided pitch, tokens, dice, and a hefty rulebook. Perfect for both exhibition clashes and full league campaigns, it’s the ultimate gift for anyone who likes their Christmas games with a side of chaos.
Available now – RRP £88.00
Star Wars: Unlimited – Intro Battle: Hoth
Dreaming of a white Christmas? The snowbound sci-fi drama of Star Wars should fit the bill, with a new beginner friendly set for the Star Wars: Unlimited trading card game. This modestly priced set drops you directly into the legendary Battle of Hoth, pitting the Rebel forces, led by Leia Organa, against the Imperial invasion under Darth Vader. It comes with two pre-built 50 card decks, one for each side, making it ideal for a new player or someone looking to ease into the game without the fuss of deck building.
The box includes a great looking game board, with clearly labelled zones and a video tutorial QR code to guide you through your first turns. Gameplay is super streamlined and accessible: you’re learning by playing rather than wading through complex rules and reading tiny instructions. Unlike the relationship between the Empire and Rebel Alliance, there’s little friction setting up and you’ll feel confident even if you’ve never played a trading card game before.
Available now – RRP £19.99
Doom Arena Board Game
Full of heavy metal thrills, gore-soaked action, and board game badass-ness, Doom Arena Board Game is developed by Modiphius and casts one player as the iconic Slayer and has the others commanding the demonic legions, allowing you to replay either the classic 90s games or the more recent Dark Ages in tabletop form.
Accessible yet aggressive, the design promises heavy metal chess: simple moves, perfect information, but ruthless tactics and positioning are everything. With lush, reasonably sized miniatures, a hex-based arenas, and iconic demon slayer match-ups, it’s built for two-player fast-paced dramatic showdowns.
While it won’t hit your doorstep until next year, you can pledge now via Kickstarter. The base pledge gives access to either the 1993 or Dark Ages editions, with premium tiers bundling plastic minis and expansions. If you’ve got someone who loves the franchise this should satisfy your craving for an intense hack ‘n’ slash on the dining room table, and I don’t just mean the Christmas turkey.
Due October 2026 – RRP £120
Pokémon Winter Express Electric Model Train by Lionel
All aboard the ultimate festive collectible! My dad used to buy me a radio-controlled car every Christmas in the 1980s, but I definitely would have traded one of those Tycos for this. Combining the craftsmanship of classic model trains with the charm of Pokémon’s most beloved characters, it’s a unique way to keep both granddad and Gen Alpha happy this Christmas.
The set features a beautifully detailed locomotive and carriages decorated with festive artwork of Pikachu, Eevee, Snorlax, and, of course, Sudowoodo. The train runs smoothly on an electric track, complete with working lights and sounds, making it as much a display piece as it is a functional model.
It’s easy to set up and designed to circle your Christmas tree, bringing a sparkle of pokéjoy. As a limited edition collector’s release it might be spenny but the build quality is superb, the presentation premium, and the nostalgia factor Charizard hot. Whether it’s for a family of Pokémon fans or an adult collector (like me) this train set is something you can look forward to unpacking and setting up every Christmas.
Available now – RRP £349.99
Heroes of the Borderlands Starter Set
If you or someone you know has always wanted to get into Dungeons & Dragons this is the perfect set for Christmas: relatively cheap and specially designed to be as welcoming as possible to newcomers. The set comes loaded with tactile game components that make everything feel accessible and interactive. Inside the box you’ll find well-designed class boards, item/spell cards, monster and non-player characters tokens, and full-colour maps that help you visualise the world – if you can’t get down to RPG Taverns in South London, for a fully immersive D&D club experience.
Using board game techniques to smooth over the complicated parts of Dungeons & Dragons means less time prepping and more time playing, which is perfect for game nights as the temperature drops. The adventure booklets cover multiple session types, dungeon crawling, social interaction, and a promised 40+ hours of play right out of the box. Just don’t expect Baldur’s Gate 3, as there’s not enough here for running a year long story-driven campaign. For that you’ll need a creative and experienced, and decidedly human, Dungeon Master.
Available now – RRP £39.14
Disney Lorcana: Whispers in the Well – Illumineer’s Trove
Did you think spooky season was over? If, like me, you’re aren’t ready to put the pumpkins away just yet this winter’s Whispers in the Well – Illumineer’s Trove might have you keeping the lights on at night, in case the Horned King comes calling. Designed as both a collector’s display piece and a practical player companion, this nice looking shiny box introduces new cards from The Black Cauldron and Gargoyles.
The set includes six Whispers in the Well booster packs, six themed dividers, eight polished damage dice, and a premium lore counter, all housed within a sturdy, gorgeously illustrated storage chest that feels straight out of the Inklands. Whether you’re an experienced Illumineer chasing rare foils or a newcomer drawn in by the artistry of Disney’s expanding card universe (or just Goofy), this Trove makes a perfect festive treasure chest.
With the Whispers in the Well chapter Lorcana lore goes darker, with cards like Hades – Looking For A Deal. With a growing competitive scene and a refreshing amount of female players, this is a festive must-have for any Disney fan looking to bring a little magic to the tabletop this Christmas.
Available now – RRP £49.99
Brick Like This!
Yes, I know you’re all waiting for the new Lego Pokémon range to ruin your bank accounts next year, but for a cheaper diversion, that sparks both creativity and nostalgia this Christmas, Brick Like This! should keep plastic brick addicts satisfied. This puzzle game includes a set of 48 Lego bricks, 92 shape cards, 20 challenge cards, an hourglass timer and a rulebook.
Two player teams compete: one player pulls a shape card and instructs the builder to reproduce it using the bricks, within a time limit. After six rounds, the team with the most points wins. The brick-based format offers a cool physical twist on typical card and board games, and even experienced tabletop fans will appreciate the change of pace. This party game can be played by two to eight players and a game only takes about 15 minutes, great for some family fun while Christmas dinner is in the oven.
Available Now – RRP £19.99
Pokémon Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution – Phantasmal Flames
If you’re hunting (and it will be a hunt to find these cards in your local game shop) for a guaranteed Christmas hit for collectors and players alike, Phantasmal Flames is this year’s hottest Pokémon Trading Card Game release. This icy blue box contains the long-awaited Mega Evolution expansion with an impressive line-up featuring Mega Charizard X ex, Mega Gengar ex, and a full roster of new Fire and Dark type powerhouses.
With more than 120 cards to pull, including six Mega Pokémon Ex and four standard Pokémon ex, this set delivers both tournament level strategy and the thrill of the hunt for those ultra rare illustration cards. My heart melted when I saw the cute Piplup In a winter wonderland illustrated rare.
The Elite Trainer Box comes packed with booster packs, dice, sleeves, and accessories, making it an all-in-one festive bundle for fans who love to rip open something shiny on Christmas morning. What sets Phantasmal Flames apart is how it fuses the excitement of classic Mega Evolutions with the modern Trading Card Game format dynamic mechanics, stunning artwork, and a satisfying sense of scale.
Available now – RRP £54.99
Magic: The Gathering – Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box
After the Spider-Man and Magic: The Gathering mash-up, Avatar: The Last Airbender seems like a change in pace, but its element-bending adds perfect balance into the world’s most iconic trading card game. This crossover features the usual beautifully illustrated cards you expect from Magic: The Gathering, this time depicting Aang, Katara, Zuko, Toph, and their allies across four elemental decks themed around air, water, earth, and fire.
Each pre-constructed commander deck captures the spirit of its nation through unique mechanics and there’s additional premium foils and alternate art cards such as the Lifelong Friendship card featuring Aang and Appa. The gameplay twist in this new set comes from bending mechanics that mirror the show’s dynamic combat and teamwork, offering fresh strategic depth even for long-time Magic: The Gathering players.
The Beginner Box is particularly tempting as both a Christmas present and a way to introduce friends and family to Magic: The Gathering, without have to explain any overwhelming mechanics or strategies. The set includes two tutorial decks, eight themed half-decks, playmats, spindown dice and a How to Play guide to get you going.
Available now – RRP £34.99
Warhammer Da Red Gobbo’s Tinboy
Who needs Elf on the Shelf when the mischievous mascot of Warhammer’s festive season is back for another year. This time Da Red Gobbo has been tinkering in the Mekboyz’ workshop, with a custom Tinboy to tear across the battlefield or down your chimney. A mini-mechanical marvel that doubles as a detailed diorama, this sought after limited edition model sees him popping up from a hatch under the head of the Tinboy, hauling a bulging sack of presents that are sure to go off with a bang.
Collectors and commanders alike can add this characterful creation to their Ork armies in Warhammer 40,000, with rules available in the 2025 Festive Guide (free in stores and on the Warhammer Community). The kit includes 23 plastic components, with an integrated scenic base including a sack of Christmas twigs. These minis always sell out ahead of Christmas and this one’s bound to be no different.
Available now – RRP £28.00
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