After a month of voting and fierce debate, PC Gamer's tournament to determine the greatest real-time strategy unit of all time has reached its conclusion. The final two contenders, chosen by reader votes, are the Mammoth Tank from Command & Conquer: Red Alert and the Priest from Age of Empires.
The journey saw an initial field of 16 units narrowed down through democratic process. The final bracket saw an upset, with the Mammoth Tank defeating the Pride of Hiigara from Homeworld 2 with 60% of the votes. The author's prediction did not come to pass, noting that while the Mammoth Tank might not realistically defeat a capital ship mothership, its iconic status makes it a strong contender for 'best'.
Another contentious result saw the Priest advance by defeating the Super Star Destroyer with 70% of the votes. The article notes that the tournament's definition of 'best' is not solely based on combat effectiveness, but also on overall impact and recognition within the genre.
The Finalists
Mammoth Tank (Command & Conquer: Red Alert)
Described as "unfathomably costly and painfully slow," the Mammoth Tank is lauded for its sheer presence and effectiveness within the game. News Writer Joshua Wolens considers it capable of winning the entire RA1 Soviet campaign single-handedly, highlighting its iconic status as a representation of Soviet might.
Priest (Age of Empires)
Representing a more unconventional but surprisingly effective unit, the Priest is known for its signature "Wololo" ability, which can convert enemy units. Weekend Editor Jody Macgregor's succinct endorsement highlights the unit's game-changing potential through this unique mechanic.
Voting for the final matchup between the Mammoth Tank and the Priest will remain open until the end of Wednesday (BST). The winner will be crowned the greatest RTS unit of all time.