RTS Economy Trap
Ah, the eternal struggle of the RTS player: Do I build more workers to secure my economy, or do I pump out units to crush my enemy before they crush me? It’s like choosing between paying your taxes or buying a flamethrower—both are important, but only one is fun.
The Delicate Art of Macro-Micro Panic
You start the game with grand intentions. “This time,” you tell yourself, “I will strike the perfect balance. My economy will be a well-oiled machine, and my army will be a terrifying swarm of death.” Fast-forward five minutes, and your base looks like a toddler’s block tower—half-built structures everywhere, workers idle because you forgot to queue them, and an army consisting of exactly one scout unit who’s currently lost in the woods.
Meanwhile, your opponent—who definitely has a second monitor just for spreadsheets—has already maxed out their supply, upgraded everything twice, and is now marching toward your base with an army so large it causes lag. You frantically check your resources: 200 minerals, 0 gas. Perfect. Time to panic-build whatever doesn’t require gas and pray.
The Three Stages of RTS Grief
-
Denial – “I don’t need more workers. I’ll just win with this small but elite force.” (Proceeds to lose elite force to a single turret.)
-
Anger – “WHO KEEPS KILLING MY WORKERS?! Oh right, the enemy raid party I ignored because I was microing my one tank.”
-
Bargaining – “If I just float 1500 minerals, I can suddenly make 50 Marines at once and turn this around.” (Spoiler: You cannot.)
The Myth of ‘Balance’
Pros will tell you the key is “macro while microing.” Cool. So, while I’m dodging spells with my hero unit, I’m also supposed to be queuing workers, expanding, and remembering to actually make army units? That’s like patting your head, rubbing your stomach, and solving a Rubik’s Cube with your toes—all while someone screams “APM CHECK!” in your ear.
The Silver Lining (aka Delusion)
But hey, even if your economy is in shambles and your army consists of a single, brave spearman holding the line, there’s always hope. Maybe your opponent will disconnect. Maybe they’ll feel bad for you. Or maybe—just maybe—you’ll remember to build more than two workers next game.
Until then, keep floating those minerals, forgetting upgrades, and losing in the most entertaining way possible. Because in the end, RTS isn’t about winning—it’s about failing spectacularly while insisting you were “just testing a weird strat.”
Discussion ¬