RPGs With The Best Strategic Combat

RPGs are one of the most complex and varied genres in video games, using a variety of tactics to innovate on their mechanics and storytelling. Many games in this category feature strategic combat, requiring careful thought about every move, evaluating options, and making tactical decisions to overcome difficult battles.

Related

8 Fantasy RPGs With Unique Creature Designs

The average fantasy RPG player is expected to kill a lot of creatures, a task made a lot more interesting by these games' unique creature designs.

Posts

By  Robbie Mitchell

Some of these games challenge players to develop detailed strategies before each encounter, as well as planning skills, formations, and equipment, before progressing on their journey. The ability to anticipate enemy moves and adapt tactics during battle is essential for success, making these games a rewarding experience for those who enjoy a good challenge.

10 Battle Brothers

Metacritic Score: 80

For those seeking an unforgiving challenge, Battle Brothers is the definitive choice. This turn-based tactical RPG puts players in command of a mercenary company in a low-fantasy medieval setting. Strategy is essential, with complex battles and the need to equip soldiers with historical weapons that offer unique abilities. Death is permanent – dead characters do not return, except as undead.

The open-world campaign is procedurally generated, providing contracts, loot, and recruitment of mercenaries with distinct backgrounds and traits. Every decision outside of combat, such as which missions to accept or who the new recruits will be, can drastically impact the success of a company.

9 Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous

Metacritic Score: 83

Like Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder also has video games that use its tabletop RPG rules. A notable example is Wrath of the Righteous, which offers players immense freedom to build their characters. The game features a wide range of possible builds, allowing for deep and varied customization.

Related

Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous - Best Builds

For those looking for that extra edge in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, these are the strongest overall builds across all classes.

Posts

By  Rhenn Taguiam

However, this freedom comes with a challenge: Wrath of the Righteous requires players to optimize their builds and strategies to face the obstacles ahead. The enemies along the journey are diverse and formidable, and before each character reaches their peak power, calculated and precise moves are necessary to overcome the challenges they'll face.

8 Darkest Dungeon

Metacritic Score: 84

Darkest Dungeon is considered one of the hardest RPGs ever made, largely due to its strategic gameplay. As players venture through ruins, coves, and forests, they are constantly challenged to think through every step to succeed.

This applies not only to Darkest Dungeon's combat, which requires planning and strategy, such as choosing the best composition and abilities for each character, but also to resource management during missions. Players must decide both which items to bring, due to limited inventory space, and when to use them, lest they risk running out of torches and be left exploring in total darkness.

7 Tactics Ogre: Reborn

Metacritic Score: 84

Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a precious gem for those passionate about strategy games. This version of the game features enhanced graphics and sound effects, along with some gameplay changes. While veterans will rediscover an improved classic, new players will find an unparalleled challenge.

The tactical combat is intense and strategic, set in three-dimensional environments. The revamped AI adapts tactics according to the situation, ensuring challenging and engaging battles. The unit leveling system allows for infinite combinations of classes, equipment, abilities, and spells, providing a complex and rewarding gameplay experience.

6 Dragon Age: Origins

Metacritic Score: 86

BioWare is known for making some incredible RPGs, but Dragon Age: Origins stands out for its strategic and engaging combat. In the game, players command a group of characters in real-time battles, but can pause the action to give detailed instructions to each party member.

Related

Dragon Age: All Elf Companions, Ranked

The Dragon Age games have featured a number of wonderfully written companions. This list celebrates the best elf companions across the series.

Posts 2

By  Amy Cowley

Additionally, the game offers a mechanic where players can program the AI of allies to act in specific ways in various situations, such as using certain abilities when detecting enemies or healing allies when their health is low. This allows players seeking a greater tactical challenge to customize team actions, creating complex and effective strategies to face the diverse enemies throughout the journey.

5 Final Fantasy Tactics

Metacritic Score: 88

In Final Fantasy Tactics, players control Ramza and his soldiers during the War of the Lions, guiding them through combat on the battlefield. The game uses a grid-based battle system where character positioning is crucial. The terrain's height and distance from enemies alters the effectiveness of attacks and spells, requiring careful analysis of each move.

Character customization is one of the game's highlights, as Final Fantasy Tactics has a complex job system. Various classes become available, allowing players to develop unique abilities and create detailed strategies to face challenges, making each battle a strategic and engaging experience.

4 Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Metacritic Score: 88

In Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire, combat stands out for its strategic depth, with mechanics reminiscent of classic Dungeons & Dragons games. Players can pause the game to give detailed commands to party members, or go into turn-based mode, allowing precise control over abilities and tactics in each battle.

Character and companion customization also contributes to making each combat encounter a unique experience. Naval battles, although not as thrilling as land confrontations, offer an additional dimension for players who wish to explore the vast seas of Deadfire. Commanding and upgrading the ship and crew is crucial for surviving dangerous encounters, enriching the maritime adventuring experience.

3 Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Metacritic Score: 89

The classic mode of Fire Emblem: Three Houses is often unforgiving to new players, as one wrong decision can cause them to lose that character for the rest of the story. Strategic combat is fundamental, requiring careful movement of characters across the battlefield.

Related

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes — 5 Different Things About Claude From Three Houses

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes shows different sides to Claude that contrast with his portrayal in Three Houses.

Posts

By  Renri Seong

The weapon advantage mechanic also plays a crucial role, where swords, lances, and axes have strengths and weaknesses against each other in a rock-paper-scissors-like combat system. Additionally, weapons can wear out and break, adding an extra layer of management and planning. Each move must be well-calculated to ensure survival and success in battle.

2 Divinity: Original Sin 2

Metacritic Score: 93

Larian Studios is known for its complex combat and open world, but in Divinity: Original Sin 2, it has taken these ideals to a new level. At higher difficulties, players must pay attention to everything happening around them to exploit openings and prevent enemies from doing the same. The game brilliantly explores the interaction of powers with the environment, drastically altering battle dynamics.

For example, water spells create puddles on the ground that can be electrified with magic, causing damage to all wet enemies. This synergy between elements and the environment requires players to plan their actions carefully, maximizing strategic combinations and making the most of combat conditions.

1 Baldur's Gate 3

Metacritic Score: 96

In 2023, Larian released Baldur’s Gate 3, a game inspired by the fifth edition rules of Dungeons & Dragons. The title stands out for its turn-based strategic combat, where every move must be carefully planned. Players need to consider character positioning to maximize damage and minimize exposure to enemy attacks.

Intelligent use of terrain and skill combinations are crucial for success in battle. The game also offers a wide range of class and race options, allowing for deep character customization. This diversity amplifies strategic possibilities, encouraging players to experiment with different tactical approaches to overcome challenges.

More

6 Best RPGs With Dual-Class Systems

Dual-classing in an RPG opens up a ton of customization options, allowing players to expand their chosen class' potential with new abilities.

Posts

By  Christopher Francis