GAMERS DECIDE - battle

[Guide] Mobile Legends How To Tank Like a Pro

Bambibimbap — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 07:05:46 +0000

It's not as simple as it sounds to play a tank role. Despite having the highest sustainability on your squad, your tasks are essential for a successful play and your function depends heavily on your colleagues. Being a great tank requires timing, talent, knowledge of the map, and a keen understanding of your squad. Check out this article to learn how to tank like a pro and make sure your team is headed in the right direction towards victory!

Delay or take enemy buff / Protect team jungler

Master Delayer

A. If you are using tanks like Franco or Tigreal, you are playing the buff delay gods. These heroes can cause an early game ruckus at the enemy team's buff side making it harder for their carry to have an early game advantage. The first few seconds are the time to be aggressive! Get to the enemy team buff and hook it (Franco) or push it (Tigreal) outside of its radius range so the buff resets. This will delay the enemy team jungler giving your team a really good advantage. Tanks like Hylos, Grock, and Hilda can time their attacks to steal the enemy buff entirely.

B. When faced off against buff delayers/stealers, your job as a tank is to both protect your core hero and prevent enemy tanks from executing their delaying tactics. Your job will be to take enemy damage, check nearby bushes, and shove the enemy away. This may be accomplished by positioning yourself in front of Franco's hook, using CC on nearby foes, and dealing damage so they are forced to retreat.

The first few seconds are crucial for the game, so tanks need to act fast and set the playing field for the entire team.

Quickly focus on buff area in the start of game
Either defend your side or delay the other team buff
Deal damage to their core hero
Get to the Lithowanderer and make sure that your jungler gets it for an advantage

2. Check bushes

I see you~

You are the toughest hero in the team, and that comes with a set of duties. You can move about the map with no concern for ambush thanks to your excellent defense and high health build. Tanks are excellent for inspecting dangerous locations because of their high sustainability. As a tank hero, you should search the bushes for hidden enemy heroes because they make excellent ambush and ganking locations. By doing this, you reduce the likelihood that the opposing team will kill one of your teammates, and you also increase map visibility by moving around. Checking bushes with your skills will lower the likelihood that your core or marksman will be shut down, so don't worry about wasting skills on bushes.

Rotate around strategic bushes and watch out for enemies
Camp around the gold lane bush to prevent gankers
Stay around turtle bush for vision

3. Initiate Team Fights

Lolita's deadly set

Tank heroes are the natural initiator of clashes. They take enemy damage and sustain it for the team while also making the play and doing the set up to make sure that the team fight will favor his side of the team.

The key is knowing when and when not to engage in a clash. Playing the tank role requires a player to be observant to his team's movements, if your team plays aggressively and wants to secure kills then you can initiate clashes whenever you have a strong backup that you know will engage and win a team fight. If your team focuses on securing objectives and is still building their kit, you should not engage in teamfights unless the enemy team is outnumbered or if you are sure that you will dominate them.

Tanks are gifted with awesome CC skills, this includes stuns, roots, pulls, and slows. These skills are used to make the perfect set up for your team. Make sure that your sets count, that will give your team the advantage in team fights.

Initiate and handle the front lines
Set the battlefield
Sustain enemy damage

4. Maximize your rotation

Turtle is ours!

It is only natural for you to move around the map and support your teammates in team fights or lane clashes because your job is to absorb the majority of the damage your foes do. To maximize your trips on each lane, you must choose a good rotation path. Pay attention to the turtle and lord timers when choosing lanes, make sure that you will have enough time to reach the area and ensure that your team gets the jungle objectives. When using a tank hero with small damage, focus on checking the surrounding turtle area for enemies that will try to steal the objectives since you won't deal substantial damage to the turtle anyway. It is common for disadvantaged teams to camp around the objectives area and just spring out when the opposing team has diminished HP, it is the tank's role to make sure that the enemy team will not successfully steal your objective.

Find lanes where ganking is possible
When turtle/lord is about to spawn, rotate to the nearer lane to secure objectives
Help your marksman to gain gold lead/ level advantage
Protect squishy team mates from gankers

5. Find Strategic Positioning

Take the damage

Finding the right positions are crucial for tank users, they should place themselves between the enemy and the team’s damage dealers. While the tank soaks up all the damage, the back lines retaliate by casting their skills to take down enemies. Position yourself on bushes around the mid lane or the buff area, these are places where it is likely that an enemy hero will pass by to visit other lanes. These strategic bushes are great hiding spots for ganking lone enemy heroes.

During team fights, your position should be upfront. Boldness is a trait of tank users, you should have a good reading of the enemy movements and dictate when your team should engage. Make your way towards the enemy team, and surprise them with a crowd control skill and allow your team to do the rest.

Front for the team
Soak up damage (use taunt if available)
Stun enemies to make easy target for backrow attackers

6. Target enemy damage dealers

Let em' have it!

One of the most important roles of a tank hero is to provide vision and location of the enemy damage dealers, usually the jungler and the marksman. By giving your team map visibility, they can build up a strategy that could bring your team to victory. As a tank, you are heavily reliant on your team's damage, focus on targeting enemy damage dealers and push them or take them to when your team can shut them down before they can retaliate. Stuns are effective whenever you take sight of an enemy damage dealer, the few seconds of stun will allow your team to take him down even when the enemy hero can out damage you. Their damage will not matter as long as they can’t cast their skills. That's why tank heroes immediately apply stuns, knock ups, and more whenever they take sight of enemy damage heroes.

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Magic mirror on the wall, who's the tankiest of them all?

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[Top 10] My Hero Academia Best Battles Worth Watching Again

QueenBeeEmmarie — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 20:21:03 +0000

10. Aizawa at the USJ vs. LOV

This is Aizawa vs. the LOV invading the USJ to attack the students.

This is the first fight where we see precisely what Aizawa can do. He’s quick and agile, and his quirk, mixed with his scarf, makes him a force to be reckoned with. Now I may be a little biased towards fights with Aizawa because I’m madly in love with him, but his scenes are still incredible because they show how he can still do so much as a hero with just the right weapon to aid his quirk.

9. Mirio vs Overhaul

Mirio is fighting Overhaul to free Eri and stop his quirk-stopping/enhancing drug ring.

I wish I could go back in time to experience watching this whole section of the storyline for the first time. There’s so much to lose here - not only are the kids caught in the middle of it all, but a little girl’s life is at risk, and dangerous drugs are at risk of taking out heroes and empowering villains. This is where we get to see how incredible Mirio is as a person. He’s willing to risk his life to protect this little girl! It’s such a good fight; it can even make you forget that he looks like the anime version of Tin-Tin.

8. Deku vs Overhaul

Deku is fighting Overhaul after Mirio’s battle to save Eri.

This fight, like Mirio’s, is highly intense. Deku is showing his conviction as a hero, Eri accepts the help she needs, and we get a chance to see just how powerful Deku is and what his power, One For All, is capable of. With Eri’s help, he gets to go Super Saiyan against Overhaul. There’s a moment in the fight where Overhaul says that Deku would never be able to truly “exploit” Eri’s power. I think that’s where we see what kind of a person Overhaul is. Even when he’s near death, even when Deku is literally tearing him apart, and even when Mirio is willing to risk his life for her, he doesn’t understand that they’re not doing this to use her. They’re doing this to give her safety and a chance at life. That shows how great these kids are and how scummy this bird-mask man is.

7. Endeavor and Hawks vs. Nomu

Endeavor and (sometimes) Hawks fight against a powerful Nomu looking to attack the strongest hero it can find.

I remember the excitement when this came out because we were finally getting the chance to see Hawks animated. Not to mention, he’s getting to fight beside his hero! Though I’m sure Endeavor wasn’t exactly as thrilled about it. This fight was Endeavor’s moment to show his strength and worth as the number one hero. Even with my hatred of Endeavor, I can’t deny that he’s worthy of that title based on sheer strength. This is also what I think would count as the beginning of Endeavor’s redemption arch. We see how this attack and his injuries affect his children and his attempt to explain his actions. Though, my feelings about that could make a whole new article. Now forget Endeavor. Can we talk about how badass Hawks is, even if he wasn’t a big player in this fight? Look at how those skinny legs move!

6. Deku vs Todoroki

Deku and Todoroki go head-to-head at the UA sports festival. This clip shows when Deku finally gets Todoroki to accept his abilities, despite his traumas from his father.

This one fight was all my best friend had to show me to convince me to watch My Hero Academia. This fight isn’t just great because we’re getting more opportunities to see the kids show their true power and how much they’ve grown; it’s genuinely great because I think this is where you see them bonding together. Todoroki says Deku’s ‘screwing around’ by helping him. Still, I believe Deku’s trying to get Todoroki to show his full potential as his friend and as his opportunity to see just how powerful he is. We’ve already seen that Todoroki was an influential figure, but that wasn’t enough for Deku, the masochist. He wants to feel the burn. Fire and ice burn. This is also definitely where Todoroki starts to get a crush on Deku.

5. Uraraka vs Bakugo

Uraraka and Bakugo in their fight at the UA sports festival.

Uraraka. Is. A. Badass. I will take no ‘if,’ ‘and,’ or ‘but’ about it. We know Bakugo has power. He is getting a chance to show his skill. But at this moment, Uraraka hasn’t gotten much of up to this fight. A chance to show that just because her quirk doesn’t have raw might, doesn’t mean she’s not strong or doesn’t have skill. And we must appreciate that Bakugo doesn’t hesitate to fight her as an equal. He said, “These hands are rated E for EVERYONE!”

4. Fatgum and Kirishima vs. Rappa

Fatgum and Kirishima fight the villain Rappa so their allies can move forward to defeat Overhaul.

Fatgum warms my heart. Of course, I had already loved him before this scene, but it just hits differently here. You see how dedicated he is to his students. You also see Kirishima having a “coming to Jesus” moment where his hero, Crimson Riot, and his teacher, Fatgum, help him realize the true extent of his power. Also, we get to see the total hotness of Fatgum. Dad bod and gym bod in one man.

3. Aizawa vs Momo and Todoroki

Todoroki and Momo fight Aizawa to pass their practical exam.

This fight doesn’t really involve Todoroki or even necessarily Aizawa. This is Momo’s moment. Like Kirishima, Momo is constantly struggling with her self-confidence. Momo’s quirk is more based on strategy and cleverness rather than just the pure power of her quirk. After losing at the sports festival, her ego was shot! This ended up being her opportunity to prove herself. Her plan, her skills, and her quirk were able to beat someone as powerful as Eraserhead. While I adore Aizawa - my handsome anime husband - I love that the more critical point is rooting for Momo and another girl in 1-A getting her moment!

2. Aizawa vs Dabi

Aizawa fights Dabi as he realizes his students are being attacked at a training camp.

As you can imagine, watching my anime husband fighting my favorite hot anime bad boy causes mixed feelings. This is also one of our first looks at Dabi. Though we’re not necessarily seeing him in the best light, we are getting just a morsel of his intense power, and man does it leave you hungry for more! Not to mention Aizawa’s handy work with that scarf! Honestly, I can’t go on enough about it—definitely the coolest weapon in MHA.

1. Jirou and Koda vs Present Mic

Jirou and Koda have to face Present Mic to pass their practical exam.

So last, but certainly not least for me, is Jirou and Koda against Present Mic! This one is sillier than the other battles on this list, but that could be part of why I love it. I’ll also never turn down more content with Presentation Michael. Koda also gets his tiny moment where he overcomes his anxiety just long enough to beat our favorite shouty man. And I can’t blame Mic for his reaction to those bugs. I’d crawl out of my skin and simply pass away if that happened to me. Thanks for the nightmares, Koda.

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All Might vs All For One

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[Top 10] Paladins Best Champions (All Roles!)

gabemace — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 04:09:13 +0000

Pose for the selfie, guys!

Well, gamers, I decided to make this list for those wondering who is the greatest champion in all roles of Paladins: Champions of The Realm. In this list I will split them into five roles: Damage, Front Line, Flanker, Support and Support + Damage (special one).

I know that there are just four roles in the game, but the special ones were created by myself. After years playing Paladins I realized that some Supports are so strong that they can take the Point just going with the Front Line, because they can cause a lot of damage on the enemy side while healing their team.

Damage: they are responsible for damaging the enemy team and killing them with a long shot range and often low mobility.

Front Line: your role is to carry the most damage from the enemy team while protecting your allies and being in charge of taking the objective.

Flanker: you will bypass the enemy team to cause them damage without them knowing your location, making them confused and not even knowing why they died.

Support: last but not least, the healer will have the power and assignment to save any and all allies who are close to death, trying to stay close to the Front Line for their protection.

Supportage (Support + Damage): supporters that can be strong enough to kill enemies while healing their team.

10. Bomb King (Damage)

"Smiling addiction!"

See Bomb King Own In Action

Bomb King, His Majesty, is one of the favourite damage champions everyone loves (and I always hated when I see in the enemy team) to play with. He uses his bombs to explode all enemies in his way. I've to tell you, guys, that he got nerfed back to 2020 but still can easily kill most champions in the game with 2 or 3 bombs.

In my last gameplay with him, I realized that if you do a good deck he still would be a good choice this year. Even if you miss some bomb in the enemy there’s a chance to cause some damage to your target if you detonate his bombs midair. He’s also a good choice to encounter many Flanks because of his mobility and high damage.

Another interesting point is: Bomb King is such a good champion name for battles, after all, who could beat an anthropomorphic delusional walking huge bomb?

Bomb King Details: https://www.paladins.com/champions/bomb-king

9. Lian (Damage)

"What are you looking at?"

See Lian Own In Action

Lian, Scion of House Aico, our Queen of high burst on squishy targets, has a great mobility making it easy to kill even in movement around the map. Lian has a Heirloom Rifle of the house Aico which is her primary weapon capable of shooting a few times.

Her abilities are pretty much weaky but when combined it can be a real problem for the enemy team. She can slide fast while shooting precisely at anyone in her point of view. Guys, she’s my favourite champ from Paladins, I admit that. Lian can do a combo easy for anyone to do, you’ll be familiar with her in a few times of playthrough.

In accordance with the lore of Paladins, Lian was by side with the Magistrate, representing the house of Aico, but her respect came from her special skills with the rifle not from her royal blood. Pretty cool, huh?

Lian Details: https://www.paladins.com/champions/lian

8. Barik (Front Line)

"Good thing I brought my metal detector!"

See Barik Own In Action

One of the most loved tanks, the red haired builded in muscles and tiny shotman, Barik, The Master Mechanic. Barik is my favourite Front Line, he is pretty great for capturing the objective point in competitive siege, mixing his barricade with his turrets around the circle that deal 120 of damage per second.

Barik is my main frontline, I must have many decks for him that I made myself. One tip I can make for everyone is: don't play with Barik in your first competitive match if you are not sure of yourself. Barik is such a good tank, but he is not for everyone; I have to say I was always scared when I saw him on the opposite team.

Barik, The Master Mechanic, maybe he created every weapon of the champs from Paladins lore? It’s a good way to think, I must say.

Barik Details: https://www.paladins.com/champions/barik

7. Fernando ( Front Line)

"I arrived for the costume party, everybody."

See Fernando Own In Action

Fernando is another great tank in Paladins, he’s one of the first Tanks from the first Beta along with Ruckus. He has two great weapons that help him in combat against his enemies: a Flame Lance and Aegis Shield, which is the first shield in the game if you use the legendary “Aegis”.

Fernando used to be my main Front Line, but I have to admit that he’s better than Barik because of his shield but I would say this is more about affinity than power. If you do great playing with Barik, continue playing with him at least until the enemy team eliminates him from the match, haha.

Fernando, The Self-Appointed Knight has great skill and it is the powerful tank from Paladins, your first choice. Also he’s Spanish and his funniest line is “I will not die. Not yet, amigo”.

Fernando Details: https://www.paladins.com/champions/fernando

6. Maeve (Flanker)

Maeve Leveling (only a few will know)

See Maeve Own In Action

Maeve of Blades is a girl with great skill using knives while has the fastest mobility of Paladins, hidden in the shadows and high speed sliding her knives in enemies’ throats. An agility compared to a cat. Cute.

That’s an honorable mention because last time I did an article about the top 5 flanks of Paladins, and I was between her and Vora, of course Vora won in my conception with her higher damage, but I have to say that if it was not for Vora, Maeve completely could be in the second place behind Androxus.

Maeve has simple gameplay for those who have never played Paladins. I think that could be your first choice for your first match.

Maeve Details: https://www.paladins.com/champions/maeve

5. Grover (Support + Damage)

"I am Grover!"

See Grover Own In Action

Grover, The Wild. Ok, I know what you’re thinking about. Groot is that you?! Of course everyone thought about this as well. He also has the Stormbreaker with him… Ok, that’s enough. Grover is hybrid support because of his high damage and mobility.

His healing is also great because it is a passive skill, he can heal you just by existing in your team, while his mobility is effective with his Vine skill that allows him to hang around the map. His Throwing Axe is powerful enough to kill flanks and damage with a few shots (or should I say “cuts”?) on them.

I played with Grover a lot of times and I enjoyed it too much and he always pisses me off when I’m flanking and he comes to kill me. Heck.

Grover Details: https://www.paladins.com/champions/grover

4. Mal Damba (Support)

"Sun da Wekono!"

See Mal’Damba Own In Action

Mal’Damba Wekono’s Chosen, this bastard can heal more than 200k for a match, oh my Lord, I hate him so much and that’s why he’s on this list. Mal’Damba has the most powerful healing of Paladins while he’s healing it is a poison for the enemy team. Hate you, Mal’Damba, unless when you’re my team, haha.

You can counter Mal'Damba with Androxus, Buck and Vora with their stun skill and high mobility. Mal’Damba also has a stun skill which makes him very annoying and hard to kill.

I like to play with Mal’Damba when the enemy team has just one Front Line and three damages or two flanks, because he can focus on healing his Front Line while staying in the objective being protected by the Shield.

Mal’Damba Details: https://www.paladins.com/champions/maldamba

3. Grohk (Support + Damage)

"I'm Grohk! The God of Thunder!"

See Grohk Own In Action

Well, this is The Lightning Orc (a great title, huh?), one of the most loved supporters that can also easily kill a Front Line just by himself, Grohk. Lightning skills provided by the God of Thunder, Thor, while carrying a totem of lightning delivering to his mates a high quantity of healing.

Grohk is one of my favourite Support, he’s pretty good at combating any Front Line or Flank because of his agility and healing skill with awesome damage. Counter Grohk is something a bit difficult but if you do with a flank and a damage you can kill him easily (maybe this champ needs a balancing).

Grohk Details: https://www.paladins.com/champions/grohk

2. Androxus (Flanker)

See Androxus Own In Action

It’s him, the God Slayer, my favourite flanker and the impressive shooter in midair, ladies and gentlemen, Androxus. This is the best flank (maybe not the easiest to play) you can pick up. Good damage and gameplay, reversal skill, air moonwalking (that always reminds me of Sanji Black Leg from One Piece) and his Cursed Revolver, Androxus.

If you want a good flank with many skills capable of killing any champ with his shots on high elevation midair, that’s you flank.

Androxus Details: https://www.paladins.com/champions/androxus

1. Tyra (Damage)

“They drew first blood.”

See Tyra Own In Action

A blonde woman raised in the snow and hunting for snow, surviving hard, developing countless skills with her auto rifle, The Untamed, Tyra. Anyone knows this champ more than others, always compared to Viktor with his auto rifle as well, but Tyra has more than just rifle skills; she also has a Molotov which allows her to burn an amount of the map.

Tyra is my main Damage, I’ve been playing with her for a couple of years, many nerfs and buffs were made but in all seasons Tyra is still one of the best choices of Damage. She can easily kill any of the Front Line, flanks or supporters, and if you do a good deck maybe she can turn almost invincible.

Tyra Details: https://www.paladins.com/champions/tyra

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The battle has begun!

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[Top 5] Pokemon GO Best Mega Evolutions For PVE

Aneuroatipica — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 17:52:38 +0000

Hi, Trainers

I know you want to be more than just a player… You want to EXCEL! No, I'm not talking about spreadsheets(Sorry for disappointing). I'm talking about nailing Pokémon Go! For this reason, I'm bringing you…

...THE TOP 5 BEST POKÉMONS FOR YOUR PVE!

Let's GO!

...But not yet

If you are a newbie, maybe you still don't know what PVE means, so let's get this solved first: PVE means Player vs. Environment. Sometimes you'll fight against the Team Go Rocket or even at Raids and Gyms, in these situations you'll be playing a PVE battle.

How Do I get MEGA ENERGY?

Specific Field Research or in Mega Raids.

ALRIGHT! So…

LET'S GO!

5. MEGA SLOWBRO

Mega Slowbro doesn't change its own type after Mega evolving, which isn't necessary, since Lowbro's typing already includes great resistance and excellent Moves for a PVE, but still this Mega Evolution increases its CP from a "meh" 2545 to an impressive 3755!

What MEGA SLOWBRO Excels In

A good choice against the types: Rock, Fighting, Steel, Poison, Ground and Fire.

MEGA SLOWBRO's Best Attacks

Quick Move: Confusion
Main Move: Psychic

MEGA SLOWBRO's Weaknesses

Weak against the types: Bug, Ghost, Dark, Grass and Electric

Catch SLOWBRO!

Wild Catch in slowpoke and slowbro's form;
In the form of Slowpoke, for completing a Field Research; 2-Star Raids in form of Slowpoke or in a Mega Raid, in Slowbro's form

4. MEGA GENGAR

Just like Mega Slowbro, Mega Gengar doesn't change its typing but still increase its resistance and CP, going from 2878 to a 4336 CP! If you are looking for a Ghost-type for your PVE, Mega Gengar is your Pokémon.

What MEGA GENGAR Excels In

Strong against the types: Ghost, Psychic, Grass and Fairy.

MEGA GENGAR's Best Attacks

Quick Move: Shadow claw
Main Move: Shadow ball and Sludge Bomb

MEGA GENGAR's Weaknesses

Weak against the types: Ground, Psychic, Ghost and Dark

Catch Gengar!

Wild Catch, Gastly, Haunter or Gengar's form;
As a reward for winning against the Team Go Rocket;
In the form of Gengar in Mega Raids;
As a reward for completing a Field Research.

3. MEGA GYARADOS

Gyarados is alredy a very powerful Pokémon and Mega evolving just increases this, turning Gyarados from a Water-Flying type to a Water-Dark type, which boosts its Dark Moves. Its CP also changes, going from 3391 to 4717.

What MEGA GYARADOS Excels In

Excellent against the types: Psychic, Ghost, Ground, Fire and Rock.

MEGA GYARADOS Best Attacks

Quick Move: Waterfall
Main Move: Crunch

MEGA GYARADOS' Weaknesses

Weak against the types: Grass, Fighting, Bug and Fairy

Catch GYARADOS!

In Wild Catch, in form of Magikarp or Gyarados.
2km Distance Eggs, in Magikarp's form
1-Star Raids in Magikarp's form

2. MEGA AMPHAROS

The Electric-types, which includes Ampharos, is one of the less used Pokémons types, due to its low resistance, but this dramatically changes when Ampharos Mega evolves, getting the Dragon-type, increasing its resistance and going from a 2852 CP to an impressive 4245 one!

What MEGA AMPHAROS Excels In

A great option against the types: Dragon, Electric, Water, Flying, Bug and Fire

MEGA AMPHAROS Best Attacks

Quick Move: Volt Switch
Main Move: Zap cannon

MEGA AMPHAROS' Weaknesses

Fairy, Ice, Dragon and Ground types

Catch AMPHAROS!

In Wild, as a reward for defeating the Team Go Rocket(Mareep's form);
In a Mega Raid(Ampharos' form).

1. MEGA CHARIZARD

Charizard can Mega Evolve to two different Pokémons:

MEGA CHARIZARD X and MEGA CHARIZARD Y.

Mega Charizard X gets the Dragon-type added to its Fire-Type, turning into a Fire and Dragon double-type. Its CP goes from 2889 to 3850.

What MEGA CHARIZARD Excels In

Very useful for your PVE against the types: Dragon, Electric, Fire, Ground and Ice.

Mega CHARIZARD X Best Attacks

Quick Move: Fire Spin
Main Move: Blast Burn and Dragon Claw

MEGA CHARIZARD X's Weaknesses

Against the types: Dragon, Water, Ground and Rock

Catch CHARIZARD!

Wild Catch, as Charmander, Charmilion or Charizard;
Mega Raid(sporadically);
As a reward for both completing a Field Research or winning three player vs. player battles!

Mega Charizard Y doesn't change any of its previous types after mega evolving, this way just as Charizard it is a dual-type Pokémon, Fire and Flying. But there's a big advantage here: a CP that goes from 2889 to 4455!

What MEGA CHARIZARD Y Excels In

Very useful for your PVE against the types: Fighting, Ground, Ice and Bug.

MEGA CHARIZARD Y Best Attacks

Quick Move: Fire Spin
Main Move: Blast Burn and Dragon Claw

MEGA CHARIZARD Y's Weaknesses

Against the types: Electric, Rock and Water.

Catch CHARIZARD!

Wild Catch, as Charmander, Charmilion or Charizard;
Mega Raid(sporadically);
As a reward for both completing a Field Research or winning three player vs. player battles!

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Mega Gengar looks like my friend thinking of his next bad joke.

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The Best Strategy War Games for PC

Walkabwoy — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 17:56:27 +0000

Earn Your Stripes and Prove Your Superiority in These Strategy War Games

So, what do you look for in a strategy war game? Maybe you’re looking to wade through the pages of history and relive the great wars of the past. Or maybe you’re looking to immerse yourself in an imaginative, futuristic world of interstellar travel and alien invasions. Perhaps you’re more the type to want to see odd creatures and magical powers included in the equation.

Whatever the case, there’s a lot to consider, isn’t there? You’ll want a gripping, comprehensive campaign. Huge armies full of a variety of unit types. Cool, destructive weaponry that you can really look forward to adding to your arsenal. A realistic and intuitive battle system. A vast and interactive environment. Lots and lots of vehicles. A robust AI to actually work the old brain cells. Oh, and explosions. Huge explosions. (Of course, games set in the distant past would have to provide the proper alternatives to some of these.)

I think we can agree at this point that any strategy war game that manages to combine these elements and actually gets us feeling as if we really are darting across a battlefield with explosions and mortal peril all around us would be worthy of our continued attention. And having said all that, shall we take a look at some strategy war games that fit the bill? Sound good? Awesome.

Then, without further ado, we give you the best strategy war games for PC.

Military Strategy War Games

7. Steel Division: Normandy 44

Steel Division: Normandy 44 - “Briefing” Pre-Order Trailer

Real-time strategy meets the intensity of all-out war in a fresh way, thanks to Steel Division: Normandy 44 by Eugen Systems. Once again, you’re on the battlefields of WWII—this time you’re specifically limited to the “Hedgegrow Hell” of Normandy. The game manages to combine all the fun and excitement of an RTS with all the detail and historical accuracy you’d expect from a game that aims to seriously tackle a world war.

A staggering variety of units and vehicles means that Steel Division: Normandy 44 is a tactical powerhouse where you can and will get punished (horribly) for failing to take your role as General seriously enough—or if you’re just not cut out for that job. The units also interact in very unique and realistic ways. For instance, units caught in the midst of heavy fire or explosions will get pinned down and won’t take any orders. Vehicles facing particularly daunting opposition might eventually turn tail and flee. Translation: your units are susceptible to stress like any real-world soldier would be. That’s right—even the little guys in your “unassailable” tanks. Say goodbye to all your plans of simply fielding certain types of units and sweeping the map away in your unstoppable onset. Strategy is all-important here!

A glimpse of the beautifully rendered map of Normandy.

The game’s wide selection of weaponry and war vehicles can prove a little daunting for newcomers.

6. Men of War: Assault Squad 2

Men of War: Assault Squad 2 trailer

Continuing with the gaming world’s fascination with World War 2, we come across Men of War: Assault Squad 2, one hell of a war game. Seriously. Here we have a deep, intense real-time tactics/strategy game taking place across several key locations of WWII and chock full of some pretty neat features. Five distinct armies, each of which comes with their own extensive campaigns. Vehicles and weapons galore. Camouflage capabilities accurately based on the seasons. Melee combat. Fully destructible environments. Simply amazing graphics. Sensible rendering of armour penetration mechanics. And a steep learning curve!

If anything, this game certainly gets the point across that war is not all fun and games. Mercy is not something to be expected. You’ll go down, and go down fast, if you don’t know what you’re doing. And much of what you should be doing, you’ll have to learn on your own. Explaining stuff in the heat of battle just isn’t one of Assault Squad 2’s fortes.

That aside, Men of War: Assault Squad 2 is truly a great RTS game. The game lends itself to some serious tactical manoeuvring thanks to the ways in which you can interact with your units. Go right ahead and let your imagination run wild with strategies. Split your forces to distract and then flank the enemy. Place mines to leave foes a nasty surprize. Coordinate devastating airstrikes. Send your entire army belly-crawling to avoid being spotted. Dig trenches. Launch flashy head-on attacks or go for covert sniping missions instead. Just remember one little thing. Every single unit has its personal inventory and the game keeps track of that. Don’t run out of weapons or ammo—war doesn’t look kindly upon that sort of thing!

Wage war across a beautifully rendered and open world.

Support your infantry units with a vast array of vehicles.

5. Blitzkrieg 2 and 3

Blitzkrieg 2 trailer

Blitzkrieg 3 trailer

Nival Interactive’s Blitzkrieg as a series has been quite successful in the arena of RTS games, and for good reason. Consistently good simulation of war, tactics and strategy is what the series has become known for. And if you thought its name was a reference to Germany’s famed Blitzkrieg manoeuvre from WWII, you were right. Blitzkrieg as a whole deals with the second World War and all the terror that it brought with it.

Here, you’ll find you’re free to experience the war from the perspective of the Axis, the Allies or the USSR. Gather your armies, storm your enemies’ strongholds and steamroll over everything with a near unstoppable force of army tanks in Blitzkrieg 2. Play against countless online combatants in the massively multiplayer Blitzkrieg 3. Or, if you’re not an aggressive PvP gamer, take on the AI in the form of “General Boris” whom Nival Interactive is promoting as the world’s first ever true neural network AI. Boris is designed to react to the events of the game in real time (like playing against another human), not by choosing strategies based on pre-programmed variables like we’re used to in other games. That, at least, is far more intriguing than the usual.

To be sure, neither game sticks to the story of World War II particularly well, but that’s completely secondary to the fact that they’re loads of fun. The campaigns are engaging and the games offer much in the way of versatility and just pure, strategizing enjoyment. Definitely worth checking out!

Dropping in on a battlefield in Blitzkrieg 2. Geronimooooooooooo…!

Blitzkrieg 3 features fully 3-D rendering, something that sets it apart from its predecessors.

4. Wargame: Red Dragon

Wargame: Red Dragon trailer

Ah, Wargame: Red Dragon… Where to start? Do I kick things off with the 21 nations and 1,700 units in the game that span from 1944 to 1994? Do I mention the plethora of vehicles for land, sea and air? Or do I go with the incredible sights and sounds that characterize the game?

Wargame: Red Dragon by Eugen Systems is a monster of an RTS that combines some of the best elements of the genre. The game is a true spectacle—it’s pure awesomeness just to watch the action unfold. But don’t get caught sightseeing! You can’t shift your thoughts from the overarching battle for an instant without paying for it in blood. With so many strategic variables to consider, things can go wrong fast, and one tiny mistake can be enough to plunge you into the depths of a crushing defeat. That’s not to say that the game is brutal or unfair; just that strategy, awareness, army composition and planning are all-important. This is war, after all.

The biggest armies won’t help you here unless there’s some real depth and variety to your troops. Every unit is designed specifically to kill another type. That can spell disaster since what was meant to be a battle can swiftly devolve into a massacre all because you or your opponent lacked the foresight (or the luck) to take some different units and vehicles to the field. At the end of it all, whether you fight on land, sea or air, this will be no simple affair. The winner is the general who thinks just that one step ahead.

In Wargame: Red Dragon, you can take to the field with hundreds of heavy artillery and vehicles.

Great graphics makes the experience of waging war a truly spectacular one.

3. Order of Battle: World War II

Order of Battle: World War II trailer

Order of Battle: World War II is yet another turn-based strategy war game that covers WWII. Take part in battles that will have you exploring places like China, Japan and the North Atlantic. Order of Battle World War II used to be Order of Battle: Pacific. However, the developers, Slitherine, opted for a reboot, stripping the game of its original campaigns, adding more, and making these all available as downloadable content (DLC). The end result is that you have the freedom to access precisely and only the war stories you want to play, which is a bit different from your typical DLC setup.

In Order of Battle: World War II you can compose armies using the over 1000 unique units (each with unique abilities and class-specific advantages) and put together ground units, fleets and air forces that make use of and benefit from the tactics and technologies historically used by their respective factions in the War. You’ll also unlock Commanders as you play the game, and these will serve to make the game even more challenging, as the Commanders each have their benefits and drawbacks. Those benefits or drawbacks can make all the difference in a skirmish.

One of the game’s most notable features is that it deals with battles that are of great historical significance, but which do not usually get represented in your average war game. For instance, the Morning Sun DLC is a campaign about the Japanese invasion of China, something you likely haven’t encountered before in a war game. Also, be careful not to let your units get cut off from their supplies by the enemy, or they will suffer. In this game you’ll have to worry as much about your food and ammunition as your actual enemies.

The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor.

You’ll need to put a lot of thought into the composition of your army.

2. Hearts of Iron 4

Hearts of Iron 4 trailer

Make your own history! That’s what Paradox Interactive’s Hearts of Iron 4 encourages you to do. And why not? If the controller is in your hands, why should you need to conform to the script that “they” wrote for World War II?

Hearts of Iron 4 is a scenario, not a sandbox like the rest of Paradox’s strategy games. However, it’s a very vast and complex scenario where things can turn out in almost any number of ways. The focus is on you.

Take control of any of the powerhouses of the world at that period and then lead them to victory against the other big wigs. Form or break alliances. Decide on your political posture and ideologies. Manage your economy and supply lines. The game will also force you into making some pretty tough decisions—like, do you produce a fleet of tanks now to counter the enemy, or do you invest those resources into discovering new technologies instead that will pay off later, assuming you can somehow survive their tanks for long enough, of course.

Hearts of Iron 4 is a very satisfying war game. Its various conundrums and necessary trade-offs will certainly give the RTS enthusiast plenty to consider in order to avoid ceding one advantage after the next to the enemy. And, like I said earlier, you have freedom to wage WW2 your way. So, go ahead—make your Italy sever ties with Germany in favour of creating a new Roman Empire with different allies just because the original Roman Empire was so awesome.

Wage war on several fronts in your bid to conquer Europe…and beyond.

Play as several historical figures and take your country (and your war efforts) in any direction you please.

1. Company of Heroes

Company of Heroes trailer

Relic Entertainment really hit the nail on the head with their World War 2 game, Company of Heroes. Set at the time spanning from the Battle of Normandy to the end of the war, Company of Heroes does an amazing job of truly presenting the greatest war in recent memory in all its deadly and destructive glory.

You play as the Allies (represented by the Americans) and the Axis (represented by the Germans), and this means far less unit variety than most RTS games offer. But what the game lacks there, it more than makes up for in sheer execution. Visually stunning and characterized by amazing music and realistic sound effects (even featuring liberal use of profanity from your infantry units, something that, unfortunately, cannot be toggled off), Company of Heroes faithfully captures the essence of what the war truly was. You only get so many units but they are brimming with far more personality than you’re likely to find in the units of any other game touching the subject.

Keeping on your toes is a must, too, since the game’s fast-paced action and intense attention to detail means you’ll be constantly thrown into the heat of battle where tactical manoeuvres and overarching strategy are critical and may need to be modified in a heartbeat. And the fully destructible and beautifully rendered world isn’t just cosmetic, either—units can take cover in buildings, behind destroyed vehicles and even in the craters left in the wake of an explosion.

Company of Heroes is without a doubt one of the best war games you’ll come across, easily standing head-and-shoulders above most of its competitors.

A tank attempts to smoke out enemy soldiers in this building.

The Victory Points system (shown top centre, here) adds yet another element of challenge to the game. Pure annihilation isn’t always key.

Fantasy Strategy War Games

7. Northgard

Northgard trailer

Take to the North and lead your Viking tribes to a new home in Northgard. Even though the game is still only in its Early Access phase, it’s already drawing comparisons to The Settlers and Age of Empires. Lead your Vikings to the newly discovered and promising land of Northgard and establish a mighty colony. As always, though, the land is not without its dangers. Northgard will pit you against marauding packs of dire wolves, draugr (undead warriors), giants, other Viking clans competing for the right to rule this rich new land, and the bitter assault of merciless winter.

You’ll find you can achieve victory through several means (conquest, fame, lore, trading), but that you’ll have to work and plan if you have any hopes of coming out on top. Your Vikings can fill many jobs (Farmer, Warrior, Sailor, Loremaster, to name a few), and no, the Warrior class is not the most important of these. You’ll need more than an army to conquer Northgard. Alliances (with the giants, for instance) and resource gathering will figure heavily into your chances of victory. Of particular importance is the profound significance of one of the game’s more valuable natural resources—firewood. I’m serious. You can forget about mining iron or anything else if you simply run out of firewood in the middle of winter.

Being in its Early Access phase means the game doesn’t yet have a campaign mode, among other things. The full release should put in its appearance later in the year, however, and even at this early stage Northgard is distinguishing itself in all the right ways.

Northgard is a beautiful land with quirky, cartoony artwork, a lovely colour palette and diverse natural features.

Gather resources, scout new territory and expand your sphere of influence.

6. Armello

Armello trailer

What do you do when you inhabit a fairy-tale world populated by talking animals and your great and powerful king suddenly comes down with a disease called the Rot, which is not only killing him slowly but also turns him pure evil? You commit regicide, of course! So says Armello, the debut production of League of Geeks, at least. In a novel mix of table-top fantasy role-playing, strategy, 4X, card and board games, Armello has you setting out as one of four heroes in a tense race for the throne in a world where the Rot wreaks havoc even as high up as the royal palace.

You’re a hero from one of the animal clans from the kingdom of Armello, tasked with storming the royal castle and deposing the maddened king. To do so you’ll have to take on quests, hire agents, scheme, form alliances, backstab and do battle with other players. Being a digital board game, Armello is turn-based and also includes dice rolls, and smartly animated cards with which you can cast spells, use skills or lay traps for rivals. There’s also a day-night cycle that affects some of the enemies you’ll come across, as well as what advantages your heroes have.

The heroes themselves are quite diverse, each having, among other things, a unique passive skill which will affect how you play the game. Adding to the uniqueness, Armello’s maps are all procedurally generated, meaning no two games are ever the same. And no matter how things turn out, there are only so many turns you can play before the king dies of the Rot on his own if you don’t manage to assassinate him quickly enough. In this case, the winner of the game is the player who’s accumulated the most prestige.

Thane, one of the heroes, in combat.

Armello offers lovely graphics on a procedurally generated hexagonal map.

5. Age of Wonders 3

Age of Wonders 3 trailer

Extending the series’ tradition of great strategy gaming, Triumph Studios gives us Age of Wonders 3, a wonderfully crafted and engaging entry that combines elements of high fantasy, RPG and turn-based strategy. The end result is an imaginative game that’s well worth playing. If you’re a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and works like it, you’ll find this game is just right for you.

Play as one of six races: humans, draconians, high elves, dwarves, orcs, and goblins; all of whom have unique benefits and abilities. Your choice here will affect how you approach both combat and the economy. Having chosen one of these, you can choose further from one of six classes: Sorcerer, Theocrat, Rogue, Archdruid, Dreadnought or Warlord. The world map is further populated with other fantastical races, like giants or the undead. These unaffiliated races and groups can be conquered or allied with.

Age of Wonders 3 includes elements of city-building, resource gathering, exploration, spell casting, research and, of course, combat. The game also includes a story-driven campaign that’s playable from the perspective of two opposing parties. You can also recruit powerful heroes to aid your armies. Players can also decide their alignment in terms of good and evil. Actions you take will push that alignment down either path.

A peek at the wonderfully animated world of Age of Wonders 3.

Wage war against the many belligerents, each with very interesting, diverse and devastating abilities.

4. The Banner Saga 2

The Banner Saga 2 trailer

The Banner Saga 2, the latest instalment in Stoic’s planned trilogy, does much to add to the charm of its predecessor; which is saying quite a lot since the original game made such an impact. That being said, The Banner Saga 2 is best enjoyed if you actually did play the original game. It is, after all, a continuation of the story, and even has an option to let you import your completed save file from The Banner Saga. But even if you didn’t play the original, there’s still a lot to enjoy in The Banner Saga 2.

The game’s real selling point, by the way, is its story—and a very well-thought out and engrossing tale it is. You are the leader of a traveling band of desperate Vikings fleeing war in the hope of finding safety in a distant land. In addition to simply telling a good story, the series has a way of forming a deep link between your decisions and the overarching narrative. And you will be called upon to make many tough decisions during the course of the game. Knowing that every little thing you do affects the story gives added weight to these moments, but it also means the game has a high replay value since the story can take so many different turns based on your choices.

Beyond its storytelling element, The Banner Saga 2 offers a turn-based strategy experience that will demand proper planning and foresight on and off the battlefield. The variety of game mechanics also mean that there are many tiny tactical details that are nonetheless very critical to the progression of battle and that serve to keep things interesting. The Banner Saga 2 is rounded off by charming graphics (which reminds one of early Disney artwork) and a soundtrack that does much to enhance the game’s overall mood.

Simple obstacles in the environment can prove to be terrible hindrances or timely helps.

The Banner Saga 2 features a charming 2D art style that reminds you of classic Disney animation.

3. Endless Legend

Endless Legend trailer

The world of Auriga is dying. Will you be able to escape it? Dive into Amplitude Studio’s Endless Legend, play as one of 8 factions and vie for control of this beautiful world full of remarkable species and exotic places to discover. Build up an empire and unlock the knowledge and skills necessary to escape Auriga and save your people before it’s too late.

Endless Legend combines elements of RPG, RTS and 4X games in one very attractive package. Easily one of the best graphical entries on this list, Endless Legend is a treat for the eyes and is likely to remain so for a while yet, even in the face of changing technologies. The visuals are also bolstered by an amazing soundtrack. Play-wise, Endless Legend is full of diversity, what with its 8 factions and several other minor entities which, while not directly playable, you can assimilate or conquer to give yourself access to a few special units. Each side is also driven by its own story elements, a fact that makes the game all the more interesting.

Combat makes good use of the game’s great visuals as terrain bonuses are often a very important consideration whenever you look to engage an enemy. For instance, you can place your archers high up on impassable cliffs to really punish your foe with little risk to your own units. All combat must also be resolved within 6 phases, something that really places emphasis on your own tactical and strategic prowess. Combat isn’t the only way to win, though. You can carve any one of several paths to victory including diplomacy, economy, science and building wonders.

The world of Auriga is wonderfully rendered with great detail and a lively blend of colours.

Combat between rival groups.

2. Age of Mythology

Age of Mythology trailer

From the creators of the acclaimed Age of Empires comes the similarly acclaimed Age of Mythology. A must-play for lovers of mythology, it features the myths, legends, beasts, heroes and gods of 3 civilizations: the Egyptians, the Norse and the Greeks.

The game’s campaign is quite long, with a total of 32 scenarios. Follow the adventures of Arkantos, a hero from Atlantis, as he pursues old foes and tries to unravel the mystery that places his homeland in peril. On the way, Arkantos will find himself treading through the foreign sands of Egypt, and even reaching as far north as the Norse lands, finding that they all share a common enemy who must be stopped at all costs.

The game does an amazing job of capturing the style and feel of each of its civilizations, with very specialized units from each civilization that boast exclusive abilities both on and off the battlefield. It also makes liberal use of the various mythologies, which makes for very interesting story-driven gameplay. Add classical monsters and heroes to your armies to give yourself the edge in combat. Progress through various ages of each civilization, unlocking new technologies and powers as you go. Enjoy the detailed animations within the game. Experience the world in a time when the gods walked among men and intervened in their affairs at will. Get the expansion packs for even more amazing content.

Call upon the gods to access their destructive power in battle. Depicted here is the Meteor power.

Unleash the power of the ancient Titans in “The Titans” expansion pack!

1. Total War: Warhammer 1 & 2

Total War: Warhammer 1 trailer

Total War: Warhammer 2 trailer

Enter – Total War: Warhammer. Amidst the turmoil of a brutal civil war, a new Emperor ascends the throne. His goal—unite his broken empire, consolidate his power and then bring peace to the Old World at large by challenging and subduing his warmongering neighbours. The task ahead is an arduous one, however, as tensions between the Dwarf race and the Greenskins run high, and the Vampires have their own designs on ruling the Empire. Farther north lies the Chaos faction, bent on destroying everything…

Total War: Warhammer II, the successor to the series, is set to be released later this year (2017) and promises to be just as exciting as its forerunner. In this game, four races will find themselves embroiled in a conflict to either save or destroy the Great Vortex in Ulthuan.

The games feature a wide selection of available units; brilliant artwork and animations; and an engaging strategic system of play that focuses on city and unit building, diplomacy and intense tactical army manoeuvring. Fantasy meets history on a grand scale in this series, and the result is epic!

The magnificent world of Total War: Warhammer

Total War: Warhammer II will have even more narrative focus and introduce even more amazing creatures.

Sci-Fi Strategy War Games

9. Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon

Warhammer 40K: Armageddon trailer

If you can get past the less than impressive graphics of Warhammer 40K: Armageddon, you’ll find a lot to enjoy about the game. Warhammer 40K: Armageddon is a turn-based war game with a lot of spirit. The fiction associated with Warhammer is strong in the game, and this is one of its best elements. The campaign goes pretty deep and there are hundreds of units to explore.

This is one game that’s easy to pick up and play due to its relative simplicity—concepts are relatively easy to understand and make use of, making the game very accessible, and most scenarios have simple objectives. That being said, there is still much room for a nail-biting RTS experience. The maps as well as the enemy units are laid out in a very clever manner, often calling for frantic charges, tactical feints to lure the enemy out of the defensive, and many moments of sudden panic as you realize you only have a few turns left to check some unforeseen development that might cost you the game.

In all your planning, you’ll also have to factor in weapon types and ranges. In this regard, upgrades you choose may help or seriously hinder your cause, adding yet another reason for careful planning and thinking on your feet when you realize mid-game that you’ll have to work that much harder to snatch the win from right under the nose of your opponent.

Warhammer 40K: Armageddon doesn’t stand out for its graphics…

…But its intuitive interface and demanding strategic elements make it a solid war game.

8. Ashes of the Singularity

Ashes of the Singularity trailer

In a world where long-distance space travel has become a reality, humanity has spread its influence across the stars and has set up a thriving galactic empire. Then comes the long-distance space trouble. Suddenly finding itself at the top of the hit list of an alien mechanical race calling itself the “Substrate”, humanity must fight to preserve its very existence or fade into genocidal obscurity.

Ashes of the Singularity’s defining feature is its ability to handle literally thousands of individual units doing battle at the same time across massive maps, which is something most of its competitors simply can’t compete with. The game manages this using Nitrous, billed as “the world’s first native 64-bit RTS engine”. The result is truly spectacular to behold.

This is a game more suited for gamers who are more into thinking about the bigger picture rather than rushing in and handling things on the spur of the moment. Thought and planning outweighs speed and flair here. The AI is also quite robust, leading to many a good challenge throughout the game. With a game that plays on such a large scale, with thousands of units simultaneously taking the field and vast maps, your choices about what technologies to research, what units to send where (and when), and how to manage your economy will prove vital to any hopes of final victory.

Go wild with airships, ground units and weapons of various size and power.

Ashes of the Singularity is home to gigantic maps, which add some real depth to combat.

7. Star Wars: Empire at War

Stars Wars: Empire at War trailer

May The Force be with you as you battle your way across the galaxy in an attempt to depose a corrupt empire, or else to squash the annoying eyesores that call themselves the “Rebel Alliance” and are fool enough to challenge your almighty rule (ha!). Play as several notable heroes from the Star Wars franchise, like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader, and command your armies both on land and in the vacuum of space.

Star Wars: Empire at War has 3 modes: a campaign, Galactic Conquest and Skirmish. Take control of either the Rebel Alliance or the Empire and their iconic leaders; then capture entire planets, which will provide you with the necessary money and resources to fund your armies and take the fight to the enemy. Research technologies that will give your units the edge in battle, and place powerful heroes at the helm of your units who can use The Force to their advantage.

Your adventures will take you to the edges of the Empire, and you’ll fight hard for every step. Just make sure you have a powerful army with you at all times. Wherever you meet the enemy—on land or in space—a battle will ensue, and you can only use the equipment you already have with you. Each side can only field up to a set number of units at once, but there’s a handy reinforcement feature that allows you to add fresh units at certain points in the battle.

This planet has become a battlefield after a sudden meeting of these two factions.

Enjoy the rush of a classic Star Wars battle in outer space.

6. Stellaris

Stellaris trailer

Paradox Interactive takes 4X and grand strategy games into space with Stellaris, a game that’s all about the charm and allure of space travel, space exploration and the extra-terrestrial. Science fiction buffs will find quite a bit to interest them here.

The game begins in the year 2200. Starting off with a single planet, a construction ship, a science ship, 3 small warships and a spaceport in your suitcase of grand dreams, you set out to explore and colonize the galaxy, eventually building up an empire. The game’s procedurally generated worlds and customization capabilities sets the stage for a staggering assortment of planets and alien species, all of which it does a wonderful job of rendering thanks to incredible graphics. Exploring this wide world will prove to be a reward in itself.

Another great feature about the game is its interesting spin on ideologies. Whatever race you choose, you’ll also have to decide on its general posture and policy. Will your people be a race of xenophobes or will they be a sociable people who welcome contact with alien races? Will you value pacifism or will you lead a militant people? These considerations will factor heavily into your strategies and goals throughout the game, adding a welcome RPG element to the game and making for great replay-ability. And it’s fun to watch battles unfold on such a great graphical system.

Explore dozens of unique systems and planets thanks to a procedurally generated world.

Blasting your enemies looks pretty cool in Stellaris, thanks to great graphics.

5. Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 2

Dawn of War 2 trailer

Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 2 spins a tale of relentless interstellar conflict, age-old blood feuds and a desperate race against time to save a friend’s life. Then it wraps all of this up in a package of pure, fast-paced action.

Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 2 hits hard and fast. It’s all about the action, the heat of battle, the thrill of combat and the terror of knowing there’s danger looming around every corner. You either keep up or get beat down. Horribly.

Strictly speaking, the single-player campaign is more of an RPG with RTS elements than it is an RTS. That said, Dawn of War 2 does a good job here, with the addictive rush to collect loot, level up units and customize characters that make RPGs so much fun. The RTS element of the game really shines through in the intense multiplayer mode where you get to build up your base and churn out your own units in order to take the fight to the enemy.

Whatever mode you decide to play, you’ll be spending most of your time on the frontlines of battle. The game revolves around capturing and holding nodes which yield resources, and this means players will be constantly at loggerheads as they attempt to maintain control over these nodes and achieve ultimate victory. The fights become brutal and fast-paced, and Dawn of War 2 does a magnificent of really getting you involved in them with great graphics, animations, music and sound.

A close-up of some of your units in-game.

The raw chaos of the battlefield is very well represented in Dawn of War 2.

4. Supreme Commander

Supreme Commander trailer

Supreme Commander from Gas Powered Games launches us into the far-flung 37th century where a thousand-year war, dubbed “the Infinite War”, fought among three irreconcilable parties has shattered the peace of an entire galaxy and threatens to reduce everything to rubble. Now the war has finally reached a major turning point, and it’s up to you to pounce on the opportunity and guide your chosen syndicate to victory—or face extermination at its helm.

The three belligerents, appearing fundamentally similar at first glance, possess a number of significant differences, a fact that becomes increasingly obvious as you progress along their individual tech trees. The Aeon Illuminate, the Cybran Nation and the United Earth Federation all boast units with distinctive abilities that add strategic variety to how you can play the game. There is a way to counter any and all of the weaponry and technologies that each faction can use against you, if only you can answer with the right units. Building a versatile army will be of utmost importance.

Simply mounting an assault with a veritable swarm of seasoned warriors and advanced weaponry is no way to go about defeating your foe, however. Sure, it has its perks, and the game is more than capable of making the clashes look spectacular, but you’ll achieve far more through reconnaissance, planning and pre-empting your opponent. The sheer scale of the war both you and your rivals can wage thanks to many, varied and useful abilities means that knowing what to anticipate, when and where will do you much more good than randomly throwing your forces about, regardless of how mighty they may be.

Welcome to the 37th century where everything looks new and shiny!

It can be really satisfying to see your diverse army come to life on the battlefield.

3. Homeworld Remastered

Homeworld Remastered trailer

More than 15 years after Relic Entertainment first released their head-turning real-time strategy wonder, the game sees a welcome reboot that brings it into the modern world—and what a reintroduction it was! Homeworld Remastered is simply a matter of garbing an older, brilliant interstellar story in the more modern outfit it so easily deserves.

Your mothership, the Pride of Hiigara, is the driving force of all your ambitions and the story at large. If you lose this incredibly valuable and useful colossus, it’s game over. That’s because the Pride contains the very last remnants of your struggling race in cryogenically preserved form. The Pride must both outrun and outgun her deadly pursuers in order to make it safely back to Hiigara, the homeworld you were thrust out of thousands of years ago.

All of your units and combat capabilities are bound up in the Pride. From your mothership you can spawn tiny vessels dedicated to gathering all-important resources, or fighter ships to defend it and to launch attacks of your own in your quest for vengeance. Civilian and soldier units you successfully preserve are also carried over from chapter to chapter, which will prove to be critical to an already dangerously depleted species. So, make good use of your resources, fight well and, above all, fight smart—otherwise you may find the game is over before you even knew what hit you.

Homeworld Remastered keeps the tension at a constant high, as your besieged mothership is literally the last hope for your kind.

Send rockets and laser beams whizzing through the depths of space as you make space dust of the opposition.

2. Sins of a Solar Empire

Sins of a Solar Empire trailer

Ironclad Games did their name justice when they created Sins of a Solar Empire, as this game is easily one of the most robust RTS titles you’re likely to come across. Released back in 2008, the game won itself many accolades and multiple awards from the gaming press besides; and even now it remains one of the premiere examples of the RTS genre.

Combining real-time strategy with 4X elements, Sins of a Solar Empire does much to commend both genres. Get ready for an addictive experience that will keep you at your computer screen for hours at a time. While the game doesn’t feature a single-player campaign, Sins of a Solar Empire lets its players loose in a sandbox that can easily see them spanning entire systems with dozens of worlds. It’s a thoroughly exciting world to explore and conquer. Battles also take place on a grand scale—often you’ll be orchestrating 5 gigantic fleets at once across multiple systems.

The three opposing groups in-game also lend themselves to individual play styles, and each has their own motivations and goals. You’re free to play the game from the perspective of any one of them as you move to conquer and colonize worlds and fortify yourself for the inevitable battle.

Constant conflict is the name of the game in Sins of a Solar Empire.

Choose from an arsenal of ships of different sizes, suited for different combat situations.

1. Starcraft 2

Starcraft 2 trailer

Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty from Blizzard entertainment is yet another great title in the ever-expanding realm of RTS games. A game bursting with character, imagination and depth, Starcraft II is a joy to play and get lost in with its story of three races: the Protoss, the Terrans and the Zerg.

In the campaign you’re placed in the shoes of one Jim Raynor—a character anyone who’s played the original Starcraft will remember—and you’re put in charge of an entire army of Terrans. So far, the usual, right? But part of what sets the game apart is the sheer personality of the Terran forces at your command. Click on them and they’ll respond vocally. They’re always eager to follow your orders. Their artwork and animation is simply superb, and their personality comes out in everything they do. It’s hard not to like the little guys. Add to that some pretty amazing weapons and technologies and you have a recipe for comic, well-animated and thoroughly enjoyable mayhem. The tale the game weaves is also very well thought out.

Starcraft II also brings a lot of imagination in its approach to real-time strategy. It moves away from the typical formula RTS games have been following for years in a refreshing way. Gameplay won’t be all about gathering resources, holding the fort until you’ve amassed an unstoppable force then squashing every poor bug in your path. Each of the 27 missions contains a peculiar twist that successfully keeps you guessing and requires constant changes to your play style. The game keeps you constantly engaged—expect to improvise in order to claim certain victories.

You can play as either of the remaining races by getting their respective expansion packs.

Lots of unit variety often makes for tense games spent trying to come up with the perfect counter force.

Battle your way across several diversely crafted stages.

Medieval Strategy War Games

7. Stronghold: Crusader

Stronghold Crusader trailer

Relive the fervour and brutality that was the crusades in Firefly Studio’s Stronghold: Crusader. Take the fight to the Middle East in your bid to liberate the Holy Land, or fight for your freedom instead as the Arabian Sultan, Saladin. Even with outdated graphics, the game retains its charm in how it presents the world of the Middle East overall.

The game features over 100 unique skirmish missions and campaigns that follow the stories of the First, Second and Third Crusades. Build up your cities, get a thriving economy going and recruit soldiers from among your peasants or by hiring more expensive mercenaries. You’ll need all this if you’re to avoid fading into the obscurity of defeat. One of the charms of the game is the environment within which you work. Building up a castle is fun, given the level of customization possible—until you must watch it fall at the hands of your detractors. Ouch. Almost every one of your citizens has something to say if you click on them—and what they say changes based on the state of the economy, etc.

You’ll spend much of your time storming enemy castles to assassinate their lords (and making sure your own head doesn’t roll in the process). Assassins will be both a powerful tool in your hands and a lethal threat when deployed against you. If you don’t remain vigilant, you could find that one or two or three of them has already infiltrated your castle and it’s too late. As for the lords you must interact with in game, they all have short cut-scene-like videos by which they ask for help or goods (if they’re allies), or taunt you or express worry when under siege (if they’re enemies).

“I will remember this defeat and pay you back.”—A summary of virtually all wars, everywhere.

Archers and ballistae can prove to be a potent threat in the right hands.

6. Total War™: ROME II - Emperor Edition

Total War™: ROME II - Emperor Edition trailer

Total War: Rome II first made its debut to lacklustre reviews. Following this, The Creative Assembly (the game’s developers) made a tactical retreat from the frontlines and, one year later, unleashed the fruit of some intense behind-the-scenes labour. They dubbed it “Total War: Rome II – Emperor Edition”. Did it solve the original problem? In a word, yes.

Total War: Rome II – Emperor Edition plunges players into the political and military chaos of post-Julius Caesar Rome. With the assassination of the great leader came a brutal power struggle which led to internal turmoil and, of course, external political vultures gathering to pounce on what they fervently hoped was to be the decaying remains of a dead empire. Emperor Edition adds many new factions to the game plus a new campaign, Imperator Augustus, which deals with the aftermath of Caesar’s murder. Otherwise, the game retains its original Grand Campaign option where players can go as far as trying to conquer the world, rewriting the history books in the process.

The game at its core has two elements: a turn-based mode where players manage their cities, move armies across the world map and administrate their empire; and a real-time battle mode where they take to the field and assume direct control of their armies in a skirmish. The game also features a decent AI, lovely graphics and audio, and improvements to buildings and the politics in-game.

Real-time combat gets up close and personal.

Explore the beautiful world of ancient Rome made possible by smartly rendered graphics.

5. Total War: Atilla

Total War: Atilla trailer

Whereas Total War: Rome II – Emperor Edition related the story of the near-death, resurrection and subsequent supremacy of Rome, Total War: Atilla, from the same developers, gives us the story of its ultimate decline. Atilla the Hun burst onto the scene of world history and, along with other Barbarians of the day, proved to be a fatal thorn in the side of the flailing empire.

At the dawn of the Dark Ages, a series of volcanic changes plunges the fragile Roman Empire into chaos and seems to presage the coming of some terrible force to assail it. Enter: Atilla et al. At the start of the game, playing as the Western Roman Empire, you’re thrust into a survival game as you watch your initially vast territory get whittled down by outside invaders. Not much changes if you play from the perspective of most of the other available factions. The various Barbarian groups are all in a desperate race to find land, food and shelter, chased from their homes by either steadily worsening changes in Mother Nature’s mood or Atilla’s near-invincible forces. As for Atilla himself, though he will become leader to the Huns, he’s not yet in power at the game’s start. With all these variables, the campaign proves to be quite dynamic.

Total War: Atilla does very well in capturing the socio-political climate of the time. It also does very well in creating a deep understanding of the issues that faced these ancient peoples, a fact that creates a sense of emotional connection to the story the game tells. This is no pointlessly mad rush to conquer all in sight. There is a sense of necessity and purpose in the various actions undertaken by the several groups. It also means that strategy and thought take on a new level of importance in-game.

Turmoil and chaos extends even to the natural environment in Total War: Atilla.

The riders from the East encroach steadily upon the lands you have known.

4. Crusader Kings 2

Crusader Kings 2 trailer

Paradox Interactive’s Crusader Kings II is set in the Middle Ages and tasks you with establishing a dynasty and retaining power for as long as possible. The game spans the time period of 1066 to 1453, and you’ll need to have plenty of tricks up your sleeve to last that long. This game is unique on this list because of its approach.

Strategy in this game takes on a new meaning. Far from being your traditional RTS, Crusader Kings II really digs into the nitty-gritty of power-hungry nobility by placing its focus not only on war but on political relationships and all that comes with them. Sure, you’ll still have need of drawing your sword and bellowing a battle cry. But you’ll also need to make strategic and liberal use of marriage, assassinations, scandal and the like. Neither the sword nor the wallet is all-powerful, after all. What you need above all is a strategic mind that can concoct brilliant machinations for your benefit.

The end result is an often ridiculously hilarious game that nevertheless maintains its claim to being played because of how uncannily accurate it is in its representation of life in the Middle Ages and the art of politicking. Crusader Kings II is a tongue-in-cheek medieval soap opera which remains true-to-life while managing to capture the more serious side of empire-building. Every decision you make will have some impact on the story, and they range from trivially entertaining to absolutely critical.

Navigate the treacherous political landscape of Europe and its environs over a period of centuries.

Marrying well will go a long way towards expanding your empire & consolidating your power

3. Europa Universalis 4

Europa Universalis 4 trailer

So you’re looking to write your own bit of history—maybe create a world where World War II never happened; or where some random, miniscule island off the coast of Africa positively demolished Britain and all the other world powers in an epic naval battle and proceeded to stamp its dominance on the world. You know—just for kicks. Then you’ve arrived at just the right place. Europa Universalis 4, part of Paradox Interactive’s successful Europa Unversalis series, is eminent in its ability to weave tales of historical speculation that could be called anything but “tall”.

It’s a great concept. Given the reigns of a nation, you are tasked with making your country into a world power through military might, diplomacy or trade. But best of all, you are also given immense freedom to rewrite the history books. Still, the game checks this power with very effective mechanics reminiscent of real-world realities that ultimately prevent you from simply steamrolling over everyone else like you normally would in other games of the same sort. Build up your empire and take over new territory—but beware of your neighbours who, through fear of your aggressive expansionist tendencies—will grow to hate you and form coalitions against you to check your power. Your own people and armies may become disillusioned with your endless quest for power and abandon you, swiftly bringing your plans to a grinding halt.

Beyond details like that, feel free to shape the world as you see fit. Make Germany a colonial force in the New World instead of the precipitator of WW2 due to its designs on Europe. Make England into a leftist, totalitarian state instead of the paragon of democracy. The game will also spawn random events designed to force hard decisions upon you or simply to add to the realism of the tale. That being said, the mechanics work in a way that constantly steer the game away from becoming too capricious in its logic.

You can exercise a staggering amount of control over the history of your chosen nation and those around you by the choices you make.

Unleash your troops and equip them for battle both on land and on sea.

2. Medieval 2: Total War

Medieval 2 Total War trailer

Chart a course through Europe, the Middle East, Africa and even the New World in your quest for territory, power and dominance. Medieval 2: Total War, developed by Creative Assembly, focuses on warfare, religion, politics and the overall struggle for supremacy during the Medieval period of world history.

As Sovereign to your country, you must delicately handle the balance of power both at home and abroad. From maintaining the loyalty of your generals to stamping out the menace of witchcraft to warring with neighbouring rivals to electing the new pope, virtually every aspect of medieval life is touched upon. Your hands will be full trying to tap into resources for much-needed gold, marrying off princesses to cement alliances, training and equipping a mighty army for both attack and defence, and general power-brokering across the entire region.

The game does an excellent job of presenting itself, whether on the turn-based world map where most of your managing duties take place or on the real-time battlefield where your armies duke it out against your sworn enemies. The single-player campaign has a short campaign and a long one—and the short one can easily span a week of gaming. For any hard-core RTS fan, though, this is hardly an issue since the game is so good. There are plenty of factions, units, dynamics, goals and battles to keep you entertained for a long time.

Battles in Medieval 2: Total War are intense affairs that never fail to leave an impact for their sheer scale and intricacy.

The graphical rendering of the expansive world is simply gorgeous.

1. Sid Meier's Civilization® V

Sid Meier's Civilization® V trailer

There’s no denying that Sid Meier’s Civilization V is a mammoth of a strategy game. A pioneer in the arena of turn-based strategy, the series has never looked back from earlier successes, and Civ 5 is light years away from being an exception to this rule.

From its graphics to its scale to its mechanics to its gameplay, Civilization V delivers consistently high quality across the board and is easily one of the most satisfying forays into strategy games you’re likely to make for a long time. Guide your chosen people over a period of thousands of years, starting from prehistoric times and stretching forward into the distant future. The maps are procedurally generated, making for consistently interesting gameplay. The units are many, varied and beautifully animated. The attention to detail all across the world map is delightful.

Choose your own path to victory. Become a military juggernaut, rule through culture and economy, win the space race by building the first space-worthy vessel, or be the idolized cool kid on the block who has everyone’s vote for President of The Whole World. Whichever path you choose, Sid Meier’s Civilization V is guaranteed to show you a good time characterized by deep strategic considerations, long-term planning, thrilling warfare and the simple satisfaction of watching your empire rise from the underground to worldwide prominence.

The world of Civ 5 is easily one of the greatest graphical achievements of modern gaming.

Yup…there’s no escaping it—this city is finished.

It’s been a wild ride, but there you have it—the best strategy war games for PC that you can find these days. There’s always room for games that make us slow down the tempo a bit and meticulously plan out our path to some distant but thoroughly satisfying goal, or that force us to micro-manage any number of things at once all while desperately fighting to keep our base of operations secure from merciless onslaughts. And for those times when that’s the gaming experience you’re looking for, you can hardly go wrong with these fine examples of the genre.

If you enjoyed poring through this list of strategy games, or if you discovered a gem you simply must add to your shopping list, then check out these other top listings:

The 25 Best Real-Time Strategy Games in 2017 (PC)

17 Best Turn-Based Strategy Games Worth Playing in 2017

13 Best Strategy Games for PC in 2017

The 12 Best Grand Strategy Games to Play Right Now

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War games plunge us into the chaos of the battlefield with limited weapons and one overriding task: survive!

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Breaking News:

Why is Blizzard Removing its Battle.net Name?

mike25490 — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 22:17:44 +0000

Blizzard have revealed that they wish to re-brand their Battle.net services on their online platforms.

When was this name change decided?

Late last month Blizzard announced that it plans to step away from its “Battle.net” name for their online services and platforms. This news comes after 20 years with this name, dating back to the first ever Diablo in 1996. It seems that they feel the Battle.net is an outdated name for their online platforms and wish to revamp and modernize to catch up with the times.

IGN news run through Blizzards announcement

Why is Blizzard changing the Battle.net name?

Blizzard has mentioned over the years their desire to change, as the Battle.net does not clearly relate to the Blizzard Entertainment company, and has caused a bit of confusion to some people. When this name was first proposed, Blizzard thought it would be a novel idea to have a different concept name for their services to the online world, as oppose to relating the name “Blizzard Entertainment” into the name. Over time this novel appeal has been lost and created a lot of inconveniences for having two different names by the same company.

A quote from the official website states:

“When we created Battle.net, the idea of including a tailored online-gaming service together with your game was more of a novel concept, so we put a lot of focus on explaining what the service was and how it worked, including giving it a distinct name. Over time, though, we’ve seen that there’s been occasional confusion and inefficiencies related to having two separate identities under which everything falls—Blizzard and Battle.net. Given that built-in multiplayer support is a well-understood concept and more of a normal expectation these days, there isn’t as much of a need to maintain a separate identity for what is essentially our networking technology.”

When will this change happen?

This change in name to their online services will not happen all at once, their Diablo and World of Warcraft products will slowly be changed over the next few months. I expect this to be completed by the end of this year, or beginning of next.

Blizzards iconic characters stand behind their Battle.net banner.

What will the new name be?

Quite simply, Battle.net will be known as Blizzard. Likewise to all the services they provide on their platforms. We will see a lot Blizzard this and Blizzard that names, for example; there already exists Blizzard Steaming and Blizzard Voice.

Will this make things more confusing, because there will be a lot of services under different names, but with one thing in common - Blizzard? I don’t know, but at least it removes any confusion and everyone knows what is Blizzard related and what isn’t.

Related articles you might be interested in:

Blizzard Lore Master Chris Metzen Retires After 22 Years

WoW And StarCraft Senior Members Leave Blizzard

Blizzards Warcraft Movie, Was It Good Or Bad?

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Blizzards iconic Battle.net logo.

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World of Warships

aswin_rajeev25 — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 05:38:23 +0000

Dominate the oceans with the largest naval fleets in history. Take control of the USS Albany, USS New York, Zuiho, Myoko and many other warships. Experience the real feeling of naval warfare.

World of Warships features over a dozen maps, game modes and hundreds of combinations of ships and equipment. Players also have a diverse collection of crew skills that can be put to use for different battle situations.

Year Released:

2015

Genre:

Massively Multiplayer Online

Platform:

PC-Games

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System Requirements:

Core i3-4330TE 2.4GHz or FX-6300
GeForce GTX 550 Ti or Radeon HD 7770 1GB GDDR5
4 GB RAM
Win 7 64
DX 11
19.5 GB

Releasing status:

Rating:

5.4/10

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Developer:

Wargaming.net

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Best Game Rank:

Latest Rank:

Average Vote:

50.00

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Theme:

Naval Battle

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