Essential Tips for Perfecting the RTS Early Game

22 June 2025

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of jumping into a real-time strategy (RTS) game. The race to build, strategize, and outwit your opponent is enough to get your adrenaline pumping. But let’s be honest—how often have you been crushed just minutes into a match because your early game was… let’s say, less than stellar? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. The early game in RTS is critical—it’s the foundation upon which your entire strategy is built. Nail it, and you’ll set yourself up for a glorious victory. Mess it up, and, well, prepare for a quick “gg.”

But here’s the good news: it’s not rocket science. With a bit of focus, practice, and these essential tips, you’ll go from zero to hero in no time. Let’s dive into it!

Why the Early Game Matters

Picture this: You're building your base, your opponent is doing the same, and you both start with a level playing field. But the early game isn’t just about managing your resources; it’s about setting the tone for the rest of the match. Think of it like planting seeds—if you sow them correctly, you’ll reap benefits later. If you mess it up, you’ll be scrambling to recover for the rest of the game (often unsuccessfully).

The early game essentially decides who takes control. The one with faster expansions, stronger units, and better positioning can dominate the midgame and steamroll the competition. That’s why mastering this phase is absolutely crucial.

1. Plan Your Build Order Like a Pro

Success in the early game starts before the game even begins. Ever heard of a "build order"? It’s basically your to-do list, your game plan, your battle blueprint.

- What is a Build Order?
It’s the sequence of actions you’ll take right after the game starts—like which buildings to construct, what units to produce, and when to expand.

- Why It’s Vital:
Without a solid build order, you’re just winging it. And trust me, winging it never ends well. A proper build order helps you maximize efficiency and gives you a head start.

- How to Create One:
Study the popular build orders for your chosen faction or race. Don’t overcomplicate it; keep it simple. Start by building basic units and gathering essential resources. With practice, you’ll refine your sequence to perfection.

2. Gather Resources Like Your Life Depends on It

Resources are the backbone of every RTS game. No resources? No army. No army? No chance of winning. Early resource gathering is literally the most important task you’ll perform.

Tips to Master Resource Gathering:

- Scout Early: Find resource nodes and start harvesting ASAP. Time is of the essence here!
- Balance Your Economy: Don’t overproduce workers—too many, and you’ll have no room for units. Too few, and you’ll stagnate.
- Focus on Key Resources First: Prioritize whatever resources are critical for your early-game units (e.g., minerals in StarCraft or food in Age of Empires).
- Expand Smartly: Once your main base’s resources start running low, expand to a secondary location.

Think of resource gathering like juggling—keeping the perfect balance is key. Drop one ball, and things can get messy fast.

3. Scout, Scout, Scout!

Want to know what your opponent is up to? Of course you do. That’s why scouting is absolutely essential. Think of it like peeking over at someone else’s test answers (but, you know, in a totally legit and competitive way).

- When to Scout:
Always scout early! Send out cheap or fast units to gather intel while you’re still building your base.

- What to Look For:
Are they rushing you with early units? Are they teching up to more advanced units? Watch for clues like specific buildings or unit movements.

Scouting isn’t just about gaining knowledge; it’s about countering your opponent’s moves. If you know what’s coming, you can prepare for it—and trust me, nothing is more satisfying than shutting down a sneaky rush.

4. Control the Map

Let’s be real: no one likes being stuck in their own base like a hermit. The early game is your chance to take control of the map and dictate the pace of the match.

How to Seize Map Control:

- Positioning Is Everything: Place your units in strategic choke points or resource areas to deny your opponent access.
- Start with Cheap Units: Even a small army can intimidate an opponent and force them to play defensively.
- Expand Aggressively: The more territory you claim, the more resources you can gather.

Controlling the map is like playing a game of tag. If you’re “it,” the pressure is on your opponent. If you’re the one being chased… well, good luck.

5. Be Flexible and Adapt

You know what they say: "No plan survives first contact with the enemy." And it’s true—your perfect build order and flawless map control won’t mean a thing if you can’t adapt to what your opponent is doing.

Here’s the deal: RTS games are all about decisions. You need to adapt on the fly if things start going sideways.

How to Stay Flexible:

- Have Backup Plans: If you’re rushing and that fails, switch to defense or tech up for a stronger mid-game.
- Adjust to Counters: Don’t keep churning out the same units if your opponent is building their counters.
- Watch the Clock: Keep track of time and segment your strategy accordingly (early, mid, and late game).

Think of flexibility as your Swiss Army knife—you never know which tool you’ll need, but it’s always good to have options.

6. Master Your Micromanagement Skills

Micromanagement—or "micro" for short—is your ability to control individual units during combat. It’s not enough to throw units at your opponent and see what sticks. RTS pros know how to squeeze every ounce of efficiency out of their units.

Micro Tips for the Early Game:

- Focus Fire: Target enemy units one at a time to eliminate them quickly.
- Kite Units: Move ranged units backward while they attack to avoid damage.
- Split Your Army: Divide your forces to attack from different angles or protect multiple areas.

Perfecting your micro is like learning to juggle knives—it’s all about precision and timing. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be slicing through your opponents effortlessly.

7. Practice Makes Perfect

Let’s be honest: you won’t perfect your early game overnight. It takes countless hours of practice, trial, and error to sharpen your skills.

Here’s a pro tip: Don’t just play mindlessly—play intentionally. After each match, ask yourself questions like:
- “Did I stick to my build order?”
- “Was my resource gathering efficient?”
- “How could I have reacted better to my opponent?”

Analyze your mistakes, learn from them, and apply those lessons in your next game. The journey to RTS greatness is paved with losses, but each one brings you closer to victory.

Wrapping It Up

The early game in RTS isn’t just about rushing to build stuff—it’s about strategy, efficiency, and adaptability. By focusing on your build order, gathering resources efficiently, scouting, controlling the map, and improving your micro, you’ll set yourself up for success. Sure, it’ll take some practice, but hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day (and neither are RTS champions).

So the next time you dive into a match, keep these tips in mind. Who knows? You just might turn the tide and leave your opponents scratching their heads, wondering what went wrong. Now go out there and conquer!