Every time I enter a strategy game, I feel like I’m commanding a chessboard that seems chaotic yet hides its own patterns. Whether it’s a siege battle in the era of cold weapons or an interstellar confrontation set in the future, the relationship between unit counters is always the key factor that determines the outcome. You might be at a numerical disadvantage, but as long as you have the edge in unit composition and counters, you can turn the tables and win against the odds.
Unit counters are as simple as rock-paper-scissors, yet far more complex than they seem. In different game settings, the same unit type may have completely different characteristics and roles. Today, I want to combine my personal experiences in three popular strategy games to explore the essence of unit counters and how to use them flexibly in actual matches to secure victory.
I. Age of Empires IV — The “Triangle Balance” of the Cold Weapon Era
In Age of Empires IV, the counter system is very clear: infantry, cavalry, and archers form a mutually restraining “triangle relationship.” Understanding and using this is the foundation for performing well in any match.
1. Archers and Infantry in War of Attrition
Archers excel in ranged damage, especially when dealing with light infantry without shields. Early on, I often deploy a group of archers before my economy is fully developed to harass my opponent’s lumber camps or farms, keeping them constantly on the back foot. However, archers have an obvious weakness: their melee capabilities are almost zero. Once cavalry or charging infantry break into their formation, they collapse instantly.
2. Cavalry and the Archer Strike Tactic
Cavalry are natural counters to archers, boasting high mobility and burst damage, especially effective at taking down fragile backline units. In one team match, while my main force was locked in combat at the front, I sent a detachment of ten cavalry to flank and rush the enemy’s archers from behind. In just ten seconds, I wiped out their ranged firepower entirely. The downside to cavalry is that they’re easily countered by spearmen, so choosing the right path for a charge and avoiding head-on fights is crucial.
3. Spearmen and Direct Engagement with Cavalry
Spearmen are almost unbeatable when defending against cavalry charges, and their low cost and ease of mass production make them the go-to counter. Once, I was being constantly harassed by enemy cavalry, disrupting my economy. Eventually, I produced a large batch of spearmen and stationed them at key resource points, completely neutralizing the enemy’s mobility advantage and reversing the flow of the match. While Age of Empires IV’s counter system is simple, high-level matches are all about variation and adaptation on top of that foundation.
II. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI — Cross-Era Unit Duels
Unlike the real-time battles of Age of Empires IV, Civilization VI is turn-based, but unit counters still play a vital role. Especially in the late game, technological differences from unit upgrades can be more decisive than sheer numbers.
1. Classical Era: Chariots and Spearmen
In the Classical Era, chariots’ mobility allows them to quickly expand the front and harass enemy cities early on. But spearmen have bonus damage against chariots, and even with fewer numbers, they can deal devastating blows thanks to their counter advantage. In one multiplayer match, I was besieged by an opponent’s swarm of chariots, and the situation looked grim. But I had predicted his unit composition in advance and ambushed with several spearmen units, completely wiping out his charging forces and turning the battle in my favor.
2. From Medieval to Industrial Era: Knights and Musketeers
Knights dominate the Medieval Era, especially when the opponent lacks anti-cavalry units. However, once the Industrial Era begins, musketeers and cannons render knights obsolete. In one game, I relied heavily on knight charges to expand quickly, but I neglected to notice my opponent’s tech rush to musketeers. Within just a few turns, I lost the majority of my elite cavalry.
3. Modern Warfare: Tanks and Anti-Tank Units
In the modern age, tanks have high impact and durability, capable of breaking through defenses quickly. But anti-tank units prevent them from running rampant. In one match with a friend, I broke through three cities with my tanks, but at the fourth city, my opponent had hidden a large number of anti-tank units, completely halting my offensive momentum.
III. StarCraft II — High-Speed Counterplay and Microcontrol
If the first two games give players more time to think and react, StarCraft II is an extreme test of speed and decision-making. Here, counters are not just about unit stats but also about microcontrol skills and battlefield positioning.
1. Terran Marines and Air Threats
Marines are the Terran all-rounder, with dense firepower effective against both light ground and air units. However, they’re fragile and easily wiped out by splash damage — Zerg banelings are their natural enemy. In one match, my marine army was obliterated in seconds by banelings, which taught me to always mix in medivacs and hellions to protect them in later games.
2. Protoss Zealots and Ranged Suppression
Zealots are powerful in melee, quickly closing in on enemies and dealing high damage. But they struggle against Terran marines and Zerg hydralisks that can kite them effectively. Once, I broke into a Terran base with zealots, but the enemy’s well-controlled marine firepower limited the damage I could inflict. In such cases, pairing them with blink stalkers or high templars is essential to cover ranged weaknesses.
3. Zerg Air Units and Anti-Air Responses
Zerg mutalisks are highly mobile and perfect for fast raids on enemy resource lines. However, Protoss phoenixes and Terran vikings counter them hard. In one match, I used mutalisks to successfully disrupt a Terran’s economy, but I failed to notice the opponent switching to vikings, resulting in my entire air force being wiped out in an aerial battle.
Three Key Points of Unit Counters
Whether it’s a siege in the cold weapon era, thousands of years of civilization development, or high-tech interstellar battles, unit counters are the soul of strategy games. From my experience in these three games, I’ve summarized three core principles:
- Anticipate the opponent’s unit composition: Scouting and gathering intel are more important than speed or numbers. Knowing the opponent’s units in advance allows for more efficient counter-deployment.
- Adapt your tactics flexibly: Never stick to a single unit composition. Adjusting based on the battlefield situation is the most effective way to reverse a disadvantage.
- Mix and protect units: Any single unit type will have weaknesses. Mixed armies that cover each other’s vulnerabilities can maintain stable combat power in complex situations.
Mastering unit counters not only helps you win more matches but also allows you to enjoy the satisfaction of combining intellect and execution in every battle. A true master doesn’t simply have the strongest unit — they can always find the most suitable composition for any situation.
