The Battle for Wesnoth

Self-Hosted

Open-source turn-based strategy game set in a fantasy world

Overview

The Battle for Wesnoth is a free, open-source turn-based strategy game with deep lore and tactical combat. Players lead armies across diverse maps, recruit units, and level up heroes in single-player campaigns or multiplayer battles. It supports cross-platform play and modding—users can create custom campaigns, units, or maps. Deployment is straightforward: pre-built binaries are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, while source code is accessible for self-compilation or modding projects. Ideal for strategy fans who value community-driven content and no pay-to-win mechanics.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  the_battle_for_wesnoth:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: the-battle-for-wesnoth
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Deep single-player campaigns with rich fantasy lore
Tactical turn-based combat and unit progression systems
Extensive modding support for custom content creation

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is The Battle for Wesnoth hard to install?

No—pre-built binaries are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. For self-compilation or modding, source code is hosted on GitHub with clear guides for most platforms.

? Is it a good alternative to proprietary turn-based games like Fire Emblem?

Yes—Wesnoth offers deep tactical gameplay, rich storytelling, and modding flexibility that many paid titles lack, all for free. While graphics are simpler, its depth and community content rival proprietary alternatives.

? Is it completely free to play?

Absolutely! Wesnoth is licensed under GPLv2, so all features—campaigns, multiplayer, modding tools—are available without any hidden costs or restrictions.

Top Alternatives

Fire Emblem Engage Search Google

XCOM 2 Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Games

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ 100% free with no microtransactions or subscriptions
⊕ Cross-platform play across PC, mobile, and Linux
⊕ Active community with ongoing mod and campaign updates

Cons

⊖ Steep learning curve for new players unfamiliar with turn-based strategy
⊖ 2D graphics may feel dated compared to modern proprietary titles
⊖ Large campaign files can take time to download for new users