GAMERS DECIDE - AOE

[Top 15] Best RTS Games That Are Excellent

Bajramovsky — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 21:44:17 +0000

RTS or real-time strategy games are, like the name implies, a subgenre of strategy games where the actual gameplay happens in real-time rather than turns.

While any strategy game which has real-time gameplay can fall under this definition, the RTS name has been associated with resource collecting,base building and unit commanding RTS games the most, such as Age of Empires.

If we don’t count Paradox Interactive' grand strategy games, which I've decided to exclude from this list, this genre has been quite stale in the mid 2010s, but in recent years it has experienced something of a revival, as you will be able to see from our list.

With that in mind, here are the best RTS games, in no particular order:

15. Age of Empires IV (PC)

Age of Empires IV Gameplay Trailer

Age of Empires IV, the second coming of the RTS genre. The newest Age of Empires game, coming in 16 years after Age of Empires III, managed to do the impossible. It managed to actually please fans of the genre. How did they do this? It’s simple, instead of messing around too much they gave the fans exactly what they wanted, which is just a basic RTS game made in modern times with modern tech. MEaning AoE IV isn’t exactly innovative, but it doesn’t need to be, what matters is that it got the basics right, the resource gathering, the base building, the unique factions. AoE IV is, in my opinion, the best RTS game currently out there, and I would highly recommend everyone to play it.

14. Age of Empires 2 Definitive (PC)

Age of Empires II Definitive Edition Trailer

Age of Empires II is considered by many to be the best RTS game of all time, the pinnacle of the genre. AoE II Definitive is a remaster of the original that includes all the previous expansions, better graphics and general improvements. AoE II is very similar to AoE IV, or vice versa since AoE II came first, the gameplay is excellent, the factions are extremely varied, especially with all the expansions. So, if it’s so similar to AoE IV, why should you get it instead of that? Well for starters it’s less than half the price, it objectively has more content, I mean it’s 20 years older, of course it has, and the multiplayer is still very active. All of this combined means that AoE II Definitive is still worth playing today.

13. Rise of Nations (PC / MacOS)

Rise of Nations Extended Edition Trailer

An often overlooked RTS game from the golden era of RTS games. Rise of Nations is probably my favorite RTS game ever, I’ve played it for thousands of hours. Like nearly all RTS games it’s based around resource gathering, base building and combat, but unlike many in Rise of Nations your base represents a city which controls some territory, and you can only build within your own nations territory. Also, the tech tree of Rise of Nations spans from the stone age all the way to modern times, and you know me, I any game that allows you to drop a nuke on someone is excellent. While a bit dated I would still recommend Rise of Nations to anyone interested in the genre. In certain aspects it’s completely unique and hasn't been surpassed by more modern titles still.

12. Age of Mythology HD (PC / MacOS)

Age of Mythology Extended Edition Trailer

Do you like RTS games? Are you a fan of Age of Empires? Do you have an unhealthy obsession with Greek mythology? Well this is the perfect game for you. How would I describe it, it’s basically Age of Empires, but set in the Troyan war era of Greek mythology. It allowed for more creativity to the developers since they were not tied down by historical accuracy. Unlike in AoE, here religion and mythology play a big role, choosing which god to serve determines which bonuses you get and which mythological unit you unlock. The campaign is excellent as well. Honestly I’ve probably played Age of Mythology more than the entire Age of Empires series. The game got an HD re-release, but I'm still hoping for a proper sequel or maybe even a Definitive edition like the old Age of Empires games got.

11. Stronghold Crusader (PC)

Stronghold Crusader HD Trailer

Now for another slightly obscure game. If you’re a fan of RTS games you’ve probably heard of the Stronghold series, but if you’re new it’s easy to overlook them. The game is set during the crusades, it focuses on the skirmish mode, with a proper campaign being absent, not counting certain historical maps. The gameplay basics are fairly simple, gather resources, build a base, build an army and win, but it has some complexities compared to AoE, for starters you have to magane food supplies, population happiness and a basic economy, building troops costs money after all. What makes Stronghold Crusader truly fun is the excellent AI adversaries, each of them has a unique animated portrait, unique voice lines and a unique style of play, which can clearly be seen in the way they build their castle. The game also comes with a decent scenario editor, where you can make custom maps. I’ve probably spent more time using this editor than I did actually playing the game.

10. Starcraft 2 (PC / MacOS)

Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty Trailer

Starcraft 2 is the essential RTS game. What needs to be said about Starcraft 2 other than the fact that the game's multiplayer mode spawned an entire esports scene. StarCraft 2 competitions are proof of just how excellent its gameplay is. Take control of one of three races and take on your friends in 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4 in spectacular fun sci-fi combat, and the best part is that StarCraft 2 multiplayer is free since 2017. Probably one of the few remaining Blizzard games still worth playing today. (They really went downhill fast, right?)

9. Warcraft 3 (PC / macOS)

Warcraft III Intro

Remember when Blizzard was seen as the good guy? The good old times. Anyway, what is there to say about Warcraft III, one of the most influential games of all time. Warcraft III is an essential RTS game for any fan of the genre. One of the most famous MMORPG of all time is based on Warcraft lore. The game is your basic RTS game, this time with heroes and special abilities, but the campaign is where it truly shines. It’s possibly one of the best campaigns in any RTS game ever. It featured a very active modding scene that literally birthed a whole other genre of games, MOBAs. Despite being twenty years old it’s still excellent and worth playing today, as long as you can find a non-reforged copy (Warcraft III: Reforged being the abysmal attempted remake by Blizzard).

8. Homeworld Remastered Collection (PC)

Homeworld Remastered Collection Launch Trailer

The Homeworld Remastered Collection is a remaster of the critically acclaimed Homeworld and Homeworld 2, that brings it to modern players and systems with updated graphics, music, and new, high fidelity voice recordings by the original actors.

Homeworld 1 and 2 redefined what an RTS game could be, they’re set in space with units being controllable in fully 3D space, unlike many other space-themed RTS games, where it’s essentially a 2D map, but just in space. The story is excellent, the gameplay is still excellent, just make sure to grab the fan-made patch if you’re intending on playing it.

7. Company of Heroes 2 (PC / macOS)

Company of Heroes 2 Gameplay Trailer

Company of Heroes 2 is an RTS game where you control a squad of troops in WWII. The game is set on the eastern front, with plates controlling Red Army soldiers in their fight against Nazis, during various pivotal battles of WWII. CoH 2 features some unique mechanics, such as the truesight system that emulates the units’ line of sight, as well as the cover-system that encourages clever unit placement and the combined arms approach for hard and soft counters gameplay that will make you rethink before trying to destroy a tank with a simple squad of riflemen. What more is there to say, it’s extremely fun to this day and it features multiplayer.

6. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (PC / MacOS / PS3 / XBox 360)

Red Alert 3: Uprising Launch Trailer

“The desperate leadership of a doomed Soviet Union travels back in time to change history and restore the glory of Mother Russia. The time travel mission goes awry, creating an alternate timeline where technology has followed an entirely different evolution, a new superpower has been thrust onto the world stage, and World War III is raging.”

If the premise of this game doesn’t intrigue you, I don’t know what will. What matters is that Red Alert 3 is incredibly fun, an excellent RTS game set in an alternate timeline. While the gameplay is fun where it truly shines are the campaigns with their incredibly campy full-motion video cutscenes. The game is worth buying just for Tim Curry’s performance as the USSR leader.

5. They are billions (PC / MacOS / PS4 / XBox One)

They Are Billions Trailer

They are billions is an RTS game set in a post-apocalyptic steampunk world. Oh, you want me to say more than that, fine. The player's goal is to build a base to protect themselves, explore the map, collect resources, and expand while fighting the local zombie population at the same time. The game has some 48 missions in total, while it’s not perfect it’s definitely a good example of an RTS game following the drought of the mid-2010s.

4. Northguard (PC / Xbox One / PS4 / Switch)

Northgard Official Release Trailer

If you’re a fan of Norse mythology and are looking for an RTS set in that world, then Northgard is just the game for you. Take control of one of six Viking clans who are fighting for control of a mysterious new land. Collect resources, survive the winter and lead your clan to victory, either in singleplayer or online multiplayer against your friends.

One of the better RTS games in recent times, the genre has really been experiencing something of a renaissance.

3. Cossacks 3 (PC)

Cossacks 3 OfficialTrailer

Don’t let the look of this game fool you, while it may not be a beauty, it’s incredibly fun to play. Cossacks 3 a remake of the 2001 RTS game Cossacks: European Wars and it definitely feels like an old-school RTS game. It’s set in 17th and 18th century Europe. You take control of one of 70 nations and fight in truly large-scale battles with literally thousands of troops. For a teenage me, It’s essentially a dream come true.

2. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 (PC / macOS)

Dawn of War 2 Cinematic Trailer

Ah, the beautiful universe of Warhammer 40K, where big things kill bigger things, which are in turn killed by even bigger things. What better setting for a video game than this. Dawn of War 2 brings this universe and manages to capture its brutality in truly amazing and fun RTS gameplay. Its focus on fast-action, rather than the slow and methodical planning present in other RTS games, fits excellently into the 40K universe. Best of all the entire campaign is playable in co-op, so you can finally introduce one of your friends to the grim-darkness of 40K.

1. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak (PC / macOS)

Homeworld Deserts of Kharak Launch Trailer

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is a prequel to Homeworld, the 3D space RTS game. Set on the desert world of Kharak, the game focuses on different tribes fighting each other before they were unified in Homeworld. It’s a ground-based RTS game, which was quite a departure for the series and had made the player base very apprehensive, but Deserts of Kharak proved them wrong. It turned out to be excellent, not just another Homeworld game, but as an RTS game in general. If you’re a fan of the series’ story, this game is essentially a must-have.

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Orcs vs Humans. A tale as old as time.

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[Top 5] Genshin Impact Best AoE Characters

cikify — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 13:25:52 +0000

Big numbers in a big area?

If you’ve ever watched a Collected Miscellany video from Genshin Impact’s YouTube channel, chances are you’ve heard the term “AoE” quite a lot.

Now, for seasoned gamers, the concept for AoE isn’t unfamiliar. But just in case: Area of Effect or AoE is a specific area on the ground where a character may take or deal damage, get buffs, debuffs, or heal. In Genshin Impact, it’s mostly used to describe characters who can deal damage within an area.

In this article, these 5-star characters will be ranked strictly by their AoE damage-dealing capabilities.

5. Albedo

During his first run at version 1.2, he was mostly snubbed for a certain someone further down this list. But even then, his ability to provide top-tier support was certainly recognized. The chief alchemist of Mondsadt — the Kreideprinz — Albedo, is a sword-wielding, Geo Vision holder. His main source of damage comes from his elemental skill and burst.

What Makes Albedo Great for AoE

A massive area for his elemental skill
Can deal damage while off the field
Easily to build
Low CD skill
Good energy generation
Low energy cost for burst

His elemental skill Abiogenesis: Solar Isotoma, summons a field that deals additional Geo damage every 2 seconds whenever enemies inside the area are attacked. The entire field lasts for 30 seconds and there is a short 4-second cooldown after summoning. This skill scales off DEF, which is an artifact stat majority will have on-hand, making him easy to build.

His elemental burst Rite of Progeniture: Tectonic Tide deals a substantial amount of AoE damage on the first hit, and 7 Fatal Blossoms will deal additional damage right after. This burst only costs 40 energy to activate. This, coupled with Albedo being a great Geo energy battery makes his burst very, very spammable. His burst can be used well to interrupt smaller mobs — and if you’re lucky — big monsters like mitachurls or lawachurls.

Elemental reaction-wise, there isn’t much going on for Geo, shields are the only thing it offers. However, Geo resonance received a slight buff in 1.3, making Albedo a good teammate in double Geo comps. This doesn’t mean that he can’t fit anywhere else. In fact, I’d argue he has a place in any team.

4. Keqing

Keqing is the Yuheng of Liyue Qixing. Straightforward, business-minded, and cut differently from the rest compared to your average, Rex Lapis-loving Liyue citizen — on the outside, at least. She’s a flexible character that can be built for both physical DPS or Electro Burst DPS. For good AoE, you’d want to build her as the latter. Her elemental burst, Starward Sword, hits the enemy 8 times, with the last one doing the most damage.

What Makes Keqing Great for AoE

Low energy cost for elemental burst
Low CD
Crit damage bonus stat after ascensions
At Ascension 4, crit chance and energy recharge is increased after using her elemental burst

Her low energy cost, low cooldown, and increased energy recharge make her burst spammable. This makes her a hard-hitter with AoE electro damage. Additionally, her crit damage bonus stat makes it easier to get those sweet crit numbers. While she’s good at dealing a lot of damage on single targets, her capability to hurt mobs isn’t anything to scoff at either.

The only thing really holding her back is her Electro Vision. As of right now, there isn’t an elemental reaction that uses Electro that’s as strong as Melt or Vaporize. But, this 1.6 update gave the rest of these elemental reactions their much-needed TLC.

3. Xiao

He is the last-living Yaksha to roam the streets of Liyue. Even before his eventual release in 1.3, he already had a lot of fans waiting for him to drop expecting him to be a strong unit. And for the majority, he did not disappoint. Being one of the “Liyue Big 3”, Xiao lives up to his title as the Conqueror of Demons due to his damage-dealing capabilities.

What Makes Xiao Great for AoE

Very consistent DPS during his burst
The plunge attacks dealt during the elemental burst deals wide AoE Anemo damage

The Vigilant Yaksha’s main selling point is his elemental burst, Bane of All Evil. It infuses all of his melee attacks into Anemo, increases his jump height, and deals high amounts of plunge damage within an area. With a pretty straightforward kit, there isn’t much about to say about the hidden protector of Liyue: big numbers within a big area that wipes out mobs swiftly and easily.

As for elemental reactions, it’s best to pair him with a support that can apply elements even when they’re off the field for the Swirl reaction. Swirl got a pretty big buff in 1.6, making Xiao even stronger than he was before.

With his strength comes caveats, of course. It’s important to pair him with a healer on your team since his elemental burst drains HP to increase his damage output. He’s also very squishy and easily interruptible, so you might want to consider adding someone that can shield him from outside attacks.

2. Ganyu

Her banner came right after Albedo’s, and if I may be so bold, this half-adeptus cutie is the reason the majority of the Genshin community ignored the Kreideprinz — and for good reason!

Ganyu is a Cryo bow user and the secretary at Yuehai Pavilion. She is considered by players as one of the “Liyue Big 3”, meaning 3 of the hardest-hitting characters from Liyue along with Hu Tao and Xiao. Her charged attacks are her main source of damage.

What Makes Ganyu Great for AoE

The level 2 charged attacks have high multipliers and hit multiple enemies
Elemental skill explosion deals considerable Cryo damage
Her elemental burst has a large AoE, also dealing consistent Cryo damage to enemies
Crit damage bonus stat after ascensions
High base attack

It’s a no-brainer that Ganyu is one of the best characters when it comes to dealing with mobs. Her level 2 charged attacks can deal the amount of damage that other characters’ elemental burst does. This makes her a cheap investment that can dish out big numbers.

Ganyu’s elemental skill, Trail of the Qilin, taunts mobs and explodes after a certain time or when broken, dealing AoE Cryo damage. This makes it easier and faster to aim and finish enemies. Her elemental burst, Celestial Shower, rains ice shards that deal continuous Cryo damage lasts for 15 seconds and has a pretty large area. This elemental burst is nearly not as spammable as Keqing’s or Albedo’s. But the 20% Cryo damage bonus, if you’re in the burst area, makes for quick enemy clean-up.

She can stand well alone, but to get those ridiculous numbers it’s best to run her with a character who can consistently apply Pyro for the Melt reaction. Ganyu is made to battle enemies from a distance, so positioning and good aim are vital to get the most out of her skills.

1. Tartaglia

Tartaglia of the Fatui Harbingers was first introduced in Version 1.1 and recently had his rerun in 1.4. This Hydro bow user is highly regarded as the AoE God in the community. His entire kit was designed for mobs and his DPS skyrockets the bigger the mob. Tartaglia’s thirst for battle is clearly seen in his skills as a unit.

What Makes Tartaglia Great for AoE

His melee stance hits multiple enemies
Attacking enemies with the Riptide effect stuns smaller enemies
Both of his elemental bursts have large AoE

His elemental skill, Foul Legacy: Raging Tide, transformshis bow stance into melee stance, turning all of his attacks to Hydro in the process. Hitting enemies with the Riptide mark (either by using charged shots or scoring crit hits in melee stance) will create a Riptide Slash that deals AoE Hydro damage. This Riptide Slash stuns smaller enemies, not giving them a chance to hurt you before you effectively delete them from existence.

But keep in mind: the longer you stay in this stance the longer the cooldown.

His elemental burst, Havoc: Obliteration, has two forms: bow stance and melee stance. In his bow stance, he deals a considerable amount of Hydro AoE damage and applies the Riptide effect to enemies. This also returns a portion of his energy.

The melee form of his elemental burst deals a massive amount of damage in a larger AoE compared to his bow form. Hitting enemies with the Riptide effect with this elemental burst triggers a Hydro explosion that deals additional AoE damage.

Without C6, it’s important to run him with a sub-DPS to make up for his elemental skill when it’s on cooldown. So play him smart and play him quick. Unless you’re one of those people who want to build his normal attacks as well — if that’s the case — I fear you.

Conclusion

While there are surely more characters to come in the future with good AoE capabilities like Kazuha later in 1.6, it’s good to remember your options for clearing out mobs in the best way possible. With the upcoming Inazuma region and the rumored release of the Chasm, the possibilities of future character kits are endless.

Which character do you think is the best in terms of AoE damage? Start a conversation by sharing this article.

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Meet the best AoE characters for your team!

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