Coming to Beyond All Reason from Supreme Commander or Planetary Annihilation? The learning curve is steep but the experience translates better than you think. Here is what changes and what stays familiar.
Tags: beyond all reason, Supreme Commander, planetary annihilation, RTS comparison, new player guide
SupCom fans often struggle with the pace. BAR moves faster and punishes slow macro decisions harder. Where SupCom lets you expand freely for long stretches, BAR rewards aggressive expansion pressure from the start.
Planetary Annihilation players find BAR more tactically demanding. PA relies on massive unit counts and orbital mechanics. BAR demands tighter micro and smarter unit compositions in smaller engagements.
Static defense in SupCom can hold entire fronts with carefully placed turrets. BAR static defense is much weaker relative to mobile offense. A wall of turrets that works in SupCom gets chewed through in BAR by focused artillery or air strikes.
This means SupCom players need to unlearn turret-hugging habits. Mobile defense and forward pressure matter more than fixed fortifications.
Do not expect your rating in another game to predict your starting position in BAR. The skill sets differ enough that a high SupCom rank does not guarantee BAR competence. BAR uses OpenSkill rating which adjusts based on lobby averages and individual performance.
New players sometimes argue they should not gain rating on wins against lower-ranked opponents. The math does not work that way. The system calculates expected outcomes for every player in the lobby. Winning against a tough lobby still yields points regardless of your personal standing.
Experimentals in PA are game-defining super units. BAR does not have a direct equivalent. The closest comparison is T3 factories and nukes, but those require much more buildup and counterplay exists at every tier.
SupCom economy scaling with massive mex chains also works differently. BAR income plateaus sooner and the return on additional metal extractors diminishes faster. Expanding to a second location is usually better than over-investing in your first base.
The fastest improvement path for any RTS veteran is finding a group with patience for the learning phase. Experienced BAR players can point out SupCom habits that hurt you and suggest corrections before they become ingrained.
Creed of Champions welcomes players transitioning from other RTS games. The training structure helps identify bad habits quickly and the community culture keeps frustration manageable during the rough early games.
[Crd] One of the few places where you can for sure coordinate with people in matches with a good supportive attitude. Everybody tends to be understanding and constructive.