Base-Building: Essential or Overrated?

[Blitz]

I have heard a lot of RTS gamers argue that base building is an overrated RTS. In my opinion , I believe that it's extremely important because it adds depth to the gameplay in a lot of ways. So, I don't really believe that it slows down gameplay or rather becomes too repetitive as they have claimed.

What's your take on this?

 

[acbishop]

In my opinion, base building is a major pilar of the genre. Without it, RTS pretty much just becomes RTT.

 

[Al]

I can't imagine there are a lot of people arguing that base building is overrated. As @acbishop says, base building is a defining feature of the genre. There are some games which have been really successful without base building - World in Conflict springs to mind... But you can also look at the drama around Dawn of War 2. The sequel eschewed base building and didn't find the success of the original.

 

[MX75]

True! Base-building is essential as it's a fundamental RTS element and it promote strategic planning and resource management. Building structures enables me to unlock units and also execute complex strategies. I use Base-building to create defensive play, trapping, and counter-attacks.

 

[Ini]

I belong to the school of thought that Base-building is overly overrated. I’m not saying it is entirely useless . Not at all! it's crucial in classic RTS games, but players can use alternative approach in modern titles. In games like Company of Heroes and Dawn of War II, I focus on unit production than base building.

 

[Battlemind]

Base building is essential, it is not over rated. However, you don't have to focus on base building on expense of other strategies. The key to progress in game is utilize all strategies and stop focusing on just some particular strategy.