Best RTS Games With Spellcaster Units

The real-time strategy genre is incredibly popular. RTS games are unique as they differ from a traditional turn-based format and instead have players compete in real-time by building structures, managing resources, and developing units.

Related

7 RTS Games With The Best Hero Units, Ranked

Hero units often make an appearance in RTS games. These titles, however, put the whole system to good use.

Posts 1

By  Dominic O'Leary

There is a wide variety of real-time strategy games, utilizing all sorts of different settings, buildings, and units. Common settings include military and science fiction, but fantasy can be one of the most intriguing. Fantasy RTS games feature a host of unique and compelling units, one of the most interesting of which is the spellcaster.

7 Majesty 2 Collection

An RTS Unique With Indirect Unit Control

The Majesty 2 Collection is the definitive edition of Majesty 2, containing each of the game's DLCs. Majesty 2 is a fantasy RTS wherein the player is the ruler of the kingdom of Ardania, commanding a series of units, known as heroes in-game. Uniquely, the heroes in the game operate under indirect control, meaning they don't always follow orders directly. Instead, the player must convince them with monetary incentives.

These units or heroes are varied, and categorized into tiers and combat styles. The base game includes mostly standard human heroes, with a few variations in the form of dwarves and elves. The DLC, Monster Kingdom, introduced beast-type heroes. Regardless of the hero race, there are plenty of spellcasting units that represent the fantasy style of Majesty 2. These include the Mage, the Priestess of Agrela, the Ice Mage, and the Lich, all of which offer unique spell types and aesthetics based on the magic used. The indirect control present in Majesty 2 is what stops it from placing any higher on the list, given that RTS titles hinge on the ability to have meticulous control.

6 Armies Of Exigo

A Classic Fantasy RTS

Armies of Exigo is a classic RTS, inspired in mechanics and design by Warcraft 3, Age of Empires, and Starcraft. The game has a classic fantasy setting, with a unique mode that differentiates it from other fantasy RTS titles. This is called the Underground mode, wherein battles can take place between the surface and underground, requiring management on two fronts.

Armies of Exigo has three factions, each representing an assortment of fantasy races, such as Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Lizardmen, and Undead. This assortment of races brings forth plenty of unit variation, both in mechanics and design, including spellcasters. A particularly unique spellcaster is The Matriarch, representing The Fallen faction. This unit is a necromancer that can cast spells as well as raise dead enemy units as skeletons. While the spellcasting units are interesting, the main faction/race divide in Armies of Exigo is highly derivative of Warcraft 3, and as such, the game cannot be placed much higher.

5 Spellforce 3 Reforced

Blending RTS & RPG Gameplay

Spellforce 3 Reforced is the latest and definitive version of Spellforce 3, a unique RTS that blends both RPG and RTS elements. The game features a beautiful level design, alongside a unique campaign that sees the player choose to support and reinforce either the Humans, the Elves, or the Orcs.

Related

10 Best Real-Time Strategy Games To Try If You Are Not Into The Genre

Not a fan of RTS games? To help explore such a diverse genre and find the right one to play, here are the best RTS games to try for genre newcomers.

Posts

By  Adam Whittaker-Bush

The main narrative of the game follows an event known as the Mage Wars, and as such, players can expect spellcasting units on top of more standard melee and physical ranged units. Most spellcasting units come from the Elvish faction, wherein players can utilize the Wintermage and The Druid. That being said, the Orcish faction also has access to a spellcaster known as the Firemaster, essentially acting as a traditional fantasy fire mage. Spellforce 3 Reforced is an incredible title, although it does not make it any higher on the list due to the RPG and RTS blend. While this is a compelling premise, it may not necessarily connect with RTS fans.

4 Warlords Battlecry

An RTS With A Plethora Of Units

• Developer: Strategic Studies Group
• Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
• Release: June 26, 2000
• Genre: Real-Time Strategy

Warlords Battlecry is a series under the Warlords series banner, often mislabeled as Warlords 3: Battlecry. The series is a long-running fantasy RTS series, beginning in 1990 with Warlords. Warlords Battlecry is another RTS to feature some RPG elements, while still maintaining its RTS core.

Warlords Battlecry features nine races, each organized into three categories; the Civilized races, the Primitive races, and the Elvish/Magical races. The game features an extensive selection of units for each faction, each of which possesses different weaknesses and strengths regarding combat styles. The Elvish races possess some of the most spellcasting output, with units such as the Druid for the Wood Elves or the Sorcerer for the Dark Elves. Warlords Battlecry gains its placement here from the sheer number of units present in the game, although later iterations in the Warlords Battlecry series do offer better and more accessible experiences overall.

3 The Lord Of The Rings: The Battle For Middle-earth

The Definitive Lord Of The Rings RTS

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth is the first game in the Lord of the Rings RTS series. The game features four factions, two of which make up both sides of the War of the Ring. Rohan and Gondor face the Isengard Uruk-hai and Mordor Orcs.

Battle for Middle-earth features base units and hero units. These hero units are lore characters who represent their associated faction. For example, the Gondor faction has access to the famous and beloved Gandalf as a hero unit. Gandalf is a powerful spellcasting hero unit who has access to spells such as Wizard Blast, Lightning Sword, and Light of Istari. Battle for Middle-earth places third because of the variety of spellcasting hero units, such as Gandalf and Saruman. It is also a timeless game for anybody who wants to play a solid RTS set in the critically acclaimed Lord of The Rings universe.

2 Age Of Mythology: Retold

A Mythological Take On The Age Of Empires Formula

Age of Mythology: Retold is the definitive edition of Age of Mythology, as well as a modern remake that includes a graphical overhaul. Age of Mythology is an adaptation of the Age of Empires formula, but instead of a grounded medieval setting, the game blends various mythological settings into one game.

Related

8 Real-Time Strategy Games That Were Ahead Of Their Time

The following RTS games are pioneers of the genre thanks to their innovations that have stood the test of time and influenced other games.

Posts

By  Connor Wright

Age of Mythology: Retold features four main factions; Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and Atlantean, each of which includes base units as well as a Pantheon. These Pantheons, in particular, provide some of the most interesting spellcaster-type units in the form of myth units, each of which represents an aspect of their respective mythology. An example of this is the Atlantean lampades unit, which can cast transfigurative spells upon enemy units. Age of Mythology gets a high ranking due to the unique nature of many of the spellcasters in the game, with their design and mechanics based on real mythological entities rather than generic fantasy.

1 Warcraft 3

Warcraft Before World Of Warcraft

Warcraft 3 is one of the most famous and well-regarded RTS games, not only successful in its own right but also solidifying lore that would go on to be a basis for World of Warcraft. Warcraft 3 includes a series of lore-filled narrative campaigns, as well as the ability to do PvP or quick matches.

Magic and spellcasting are one of the core elements of the Warcraft lore, with many of the most powerful characters in the lore being spellcasters. This is represented in the Warcraft 3 unit selection, an example of which can be seen with the Archmage hero unit. Famous spellcasters from Warcraft lore are also represented in Warcraft 3 for brief gameplay sections, including Jaina Proudmoore, Antonidas, and Malfurion Stormrage. These units can even be used in level creation. Warcraft 3 tops this list due to the sheer iconic nature of both the spellcasting units and the game as a whole, creating an almost unparalleled legacy.

More

8 RTS Games With the Best Music

Real-time strategy games are known for being challenging and fun. Here are some titles in this genre that also feature great music.

Posts 1

By  Gerardo Molina