Combat systems are always an important factor in online role-playing games. It makes a big difference whether an MMORPG offers a free action combat system or comes with comfortable tab-targeting. But which MMO has the best combat system? Find out in our survey!
“What is the combat system?” is the ultimate question for every online role-playing game. Because fans of fast-paced, dynamic action fights usually fall asleep with traditional tab-targeting systems. On the other hand, many fans of the good old click-to-attack are glad not to be constantly frantically hitting the keys and aiming their attacks like in a MOBA.
But which online role-playing game do you think has the best combat system and which games are even available for selection?
Combat systems in MMOs – Tab-targeting with variance
Combat systems are situated in most online role-playing games somewhere between classic tab-targeting systems and completely free action combat systems, which are more reminiscent of fighting games or MOBAs. A good example of the classic model includes World of Warcraft and Star Wars: The Old Republic.
Usually, you target an enemy with a mouse click or the tab key, and as long as you do not perform area attacks, you only hit that target. The advantage of this: You always hit automatically and do not have to be great at aiming.
However, the disadvantage is that in the chaos, especially as a melee fighter, you do not attack the opponent in front of you, but the targeted one. This can be a problem in SWTOR when, as a Jedi with a lightsaber, you are swinging around in a crowd of enemies and only one opponent takes damage.
World of Warcraft has recently smartly circumvented this annoyance with the Demon Hunter. The demon slayer has, in fact, almost only small melee area attacks and can thus stylishly mow down hordes of enemies with his glaives.
Combat systems in MMOs – Combos and Skillshots
On the other side of the spectrum are fast-paced action combat systems, which modern MMOs usually showcase. Foremost among them are TERA, WildStar, and Black Desert Online. All three games allow for free movement and active dodging. However, you also have to aim well, as many of your attacks really need to hit the opponent. It’s not enough to just stand in range and spam your attacks.
Rather, there are tons of attacks that work like skillshots from MOBA games and need to be aimed well and executed with thought. Moreover, many action combat systems thrive on complex combos. Many skills build perfectly on each other and allow for cool combinations. Especially the fast-paced Black Desert Online stands out here.
Many combat systems, however, fall somewhere in between and have elements of tab-targeting and action. For example, Guild Wars 2 or The Elder Scrolls Online. There, you can dodge, but you should ideally target your enemies via tab. And other games like Revelation Online let you fully choose how you want to control the fights.
Mein-MMO is looking for the best combat system!
But enough of the preamble. Let’s move on to selecting the best combat system. In the following list, we have listed several MMOs. You can vote in the survey which MMO you think has the best combat system. We will evaluate the results at a later date and announce the winners in another article. Have fun voting! Feel free to write your reasoning in the comments.
Also interesting: The best PvP MMOs
