Best Strategy Games With Customizable Armies

The strategy genre holds an immense library of games, going back decades. Whether players are looking for s prawling, narrative-focused grand strategy titles or more tactical real-time strategy games, it would be very difficult for someone to not find what they're looking for under the strategy games umbrella.

But the best strategy games are the ones that allow for freedom of customization. There's nothing quite like getting an idea for how a particular unit or combination of units might work against an enemy, putting it all together, and then unleashing havoc upon the battlefield. Players looking to design some truly lethal armies should keep an eye on the games below.

5 Warzone 2100

An Open Source Futuristic Army Builder

Warzone 2100 brings a lot to the table as an incredibly compelling and tactical real-time strategy game. This title is available for free, and has been worked on and tweaked since way back in 1999. A large part of this game is customizing the tanks that will serve as the brunt of the player's army, and there is an incredibly array of weapon, chasis, and tread options to take on. The options only continue to grow as the impressive technology tree in Warzone 2100 continues to broaden and welcome the player to more options for combat.

Players will have no trouble sinking hours into this open-source title, and the variation they're able to bring to their armies is sure to leave a lasting impression.

4 Age Of Wonders 4

Build A Magically Enhanced Fantasy Army

Age of Wonders 4 brings an unprecedented level of customization and personality to the Age of Wonders formula, with a variety of physical traits, empire foundations, and cultural styles to combine in a myriad of different ways. The customization changes everything from which end-game goal players will be going for to how the interact with the the other factions on the map, and with every game there's some newfound combination or strategy to put to the test, especially once players have got the basics down.

All of these customization choices filter down into a unique army and collection of units. The individual armies of your kingdom are comprised of six units. These units could be peasant spearmen with poisoned spears fighting alongside direwolves and ice golems. The unique composition of players' armies thrives on how they've built their kingdom.

3 Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance

A Multitude Of Units To Build Armies Out Of

A bit of an obscure title in the Supreme Commander series, Forged Alliance takes on a near-apocalypse theme with a new faction and myriad of new units to work with, allowing for the creation of large, incredibly varied armies that can serve unique purposes in the overall battle. The Supreme Commander series as a whole is one that is legendary among RTS titles for its depth of customization and unique tactical challenges.

This game allows players to experiment with hundreds of units that all have some level of viability when applied in the right way. It makes for an incredibly modular, incredibly addictive experience.

2 Metal Fatigue

An Older But Well-Loved RTS

The mech genre might have gotten a colossal popularity boost with Armored Core 6, but the title has built up an impressive library of games across a myriad of genres, from real-time strategy to tactical JRPGs. One iconic title within this broad spectrum of games is Metal Fatigue, which has players build legendary Combots as they represent one of three distinct mega-corporations in an unending war for resources and influence.

The individual parts of each Combot can be changed out and swapped over, with no two mechs having to be the same, and no two players' armies ever looking the same, with the sheer amount of customization available in the form of makes and parts.

1 Crusader Kings 3

A Grand Strategy Title With Unique Army Composition

In a lot of ways, there's a simplicity to Crusader Kings 3's army building mechanics that's a refreshing change of pace from the more in-depth and strategic Paradox games, such as Hearts of Iron 4.If the conditions of the battle are favorable and the composition of the player's army is at least above standard, then head-to-head battles will often end in the favor of whoever has the most troops to throw at one another. Of course, strategy begins when forced to take on armies on multiple fronts, all of whom are besieging important structures within the kingdom. Taking on mercenaries or calling upon allies for war is almost essential in larger-scale wars to outflank the opponent.

But what is actually within these armies that players are amassing? There is an incredibly diverse range of man at arms units that can be filtered into individual armies as elite units that deal more damage than levies. What's more, these units and the specific ones available to the player will differ based on region, culture, and development level.

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By  Will Buckley