How to Build Stronger Units in RTS Games (From One Gamer to Another)
So, you’ve just jumped into a real-time strategy (RTS) game, and you’re ready to crush your enemies with an army of powerful units. But… things don’t go quite as planned, huh? Yeah, I’ve been there too. You’re running around gathering resources, building your base, and before you know it, you’re getting steamrolled by a bunch of well-coordinated enemy units while your troops are sitting around like they have no idea what they’re doing. It’s frustrating, right?
But hey, the thing is—building stronger units is not as simple as just gathering materials and hitting the “build” button. It’s about understanding the game mechanics, planning ahead, and knowing when to push, when to retreat, and when to upgrade. Through all my trials (and plenty of errors), I’ve learned some strategies that actually work to help you build those bad boys up, get your forces stronger, and—finally—win those battles. So grab your favorite RTS game, sit back, and let me walk you through the process of building stronger units that’ll put you on the winning side.
1. Know Your Resources, Know Your Limits
In RTS games, resources are king—literally. If you don’t have enough of the right resources, you’ll be stuck with weak units, no matter how many barracks or war factories you have. When I first started playing Starcraft II (no shame in that, by the way), I was so focused on mass-producing units that I often neglected my resource management. I’d gather enough to get a good chunk of units, but not enough to upgrade them, which meant I was stuck with lower-tier units that couldn’t handle tougher enemies.
Here’s the key: balance your resource gathering and unit production. Sure, it’s tempting to churn out a massive army, but without enough resources for upgrades or special abilities, you’ll be left in the dust.
Pro Tip: Always have one or two workers on standby collecting resources—don’t get greedy, and never stop harvesting. Keep your economy going strong, and be sure you have a good balance of the three main resources: minerals, gas, and food/energy (depending on the game). If you’re struggling with resources, don’t hesitate to get creative—think about building more resource nodes or expanding to new areas.
| Resource Type | Description | How to Gather |
|---|---|---|
| Minerals | The basic currency in many RTS games. Used for most unit production. | Harvest from mineral patches or deposits. |
| Gas | Used for more advanced units and upgrades. | Extract from gas geysers or similar structures. |
| Food/Energy | Limits the number of units you can produce. | Expand your base and build structures that increase your cap. |
2. Understand Unit Types and Matchups
Okay, here’s something I wish someone had told me sooner: not all units are created equal. You can have a bunch of tanks, but if the enemy’s infantry is stacked with anti-tank units, you’re screwed. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of building the strongest unit possible, but what really matters is how those units stack up against your opponent’s forces.
For example, when playing Age of Empires II, I made the mistake of spamming knights because they were cool and had decent stats. But I forgot that my opponent was massing archers. The knights got absolutely wrecked, and I ended up losing a key fight.
So, how do you build stronger units? You need to know the unit types and how they interact with one another. Typically, RTS games follow a rock-paper-scissors mechanic where each unit has strengths and weaknesses. There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. Here’s a simple guide to get you started:
| Unit Type | Strong Against | Weak Against |
|---|---|---|
| Infantry | Archers, cavalry | Heavy tanks, siege |
| Cavalry | Archers, siege units | Pikemen, spearmen |
| Siege | Buildings, mass units | Fast units, cavalry |
| Air Units | Infantry, ground units | Anti-air units |
Pro Tip: Take a moment to scout your opponent early in the game. Understanding what they’re building gives you a huge advantage in picking the right counters.
3. Upgrade, Upgrade, Upgrade!
I can’t stress this enough: upgrades are EVERYTHING. When I first started playing Command & Conquer, I used to neglect upgrades because I was too busy worrying about unit production and early rushes. But here’s the thing—you’re not just building units. You’re building an army that should be as tough and efficient as possible.
Upgrading isn’t just about better weapons or armor—it’s about making sure your units get stronger across the board. Whether it’s increased health, faster attack speed, or more powerful abilities, upgrades are the key to surviving in mid-to-late game stages. If you’re not upgrading, your units will be left behind as your opponent’s units get stronger.
I remember once rushing a fight too early without any upgrades. The result? My opponent’s advanced units wiped me out because I wasn’t paying attention to unit stats. That hurt, trust me. Don’t skip upgrades—they may seem small at first, but in the long run, they add up to huge benefits.
Pro Tip: Research upgrades while you’re building units or expanding your base. That way, you can avoid slowing down your economy.
4. Use the Terrain to Your Advantage
You ever hear someone say, “Fight smarter, not harder”? That’s what terrain in RTS games is all about. In games like Warcraft III, I spent a lot of time trying to build strong units, but I didn’t always think about where I was placing them. For example, I would put my units in an open field, which was prime real estate for an enemy archer rush. Dumb mistake.
Terrain can provide cover, high ground advantages, or even slow down enemy movements. Whether it’s using forests for ambushes or placing archers on high ground to get bonus range, your environment can make a huge difference in how powerful your units feel.
Pro Tip: Take the time to survey the battlefield. High ground is often a better position for ranged units, and choke points can help you limit the effectiveness of an enemy rush.
5. Build Synergy Between Units
Alright, let’s get into some of the cool stuff you can do once you’ve got the basics down. Unit synergy is what takes a good army and turns it into a winning force. It’s all about pairing units with abilities that complement one another. Let’s take Starcraft II as an example again. I found out the hard way that pairing Medivacs with Marines gives you a solid combo. The Medivacs heal your Marines while they attack, which makes them way more effective against larger enemy groups.
The key here is combining units that help each other out. For example, putting Siege Tanks in the back of a Marine army allows you to mow down enemy forces while protecting your squishy units. Support units (like healers or spellcasters) are often the difference between life and death.
Pro Tip: Micro-manage your armies when you can—use different hotkeys to separate your unit types and control them efficiently during fights.
Conclusion: Keep Experimenting!
At the end of the day, building stronger units in RTS games isn’t just about building the “best” units—it’s about finding the right combinations, understanding the dynamics of the game, and adapting to what your opponent throws at you. Through my many, many failures, I’ve learned that it’s a balance of resources, strategy, upgrades, and a little bit of luck.
So, yeah, there’s no magic formula. You’ll have to learn through trial and error, but don’t get discouraged. Every loss is a lesson, and every win is a step toward dominating the battlefield. Keep practicing, keep experimenting, and soon enough, your units will be the ones everyone else fears.
Good luck out there, fellow gamer. You’ve got this!