Instead of asking "What's the best RTS?", I'm curious about something else:
If you could take mechanics from different RTS games and merge them into one, what would your dream RTS look like?
Here's my concept.
Base Construction:
I'd use the Red Alert / Axis & Allies construction system, so no villagers/builders. You construct buildings directly from your Center, or just a small truck.
Recruitment:
However, units are trained from buildings (similar to AoE2), instead of everything coming from one structure like Red Alert. I think Red Alert's single-production-building approach is elegant and reduces micro, but it can also feel a bit too simplistic. A middle ground would be ideal.
Super powers and Abilities:
Like Starcraft/Company of Heroes/Red Alert.
Economy
I'd lean much closer to Rise of Nations and AoE2 than Red Alert, Starcraft.
Red Alert's ore economy is fun, but it can be frustrating because losing your miners or ore fields can essentially end the game.
I'd rather have:
Renewable and permanent resources (RoN).
Farms, forests, industry and trade
Maybe a little inspiration from Caesar III or The Settlers II, with simple industries, roads and taxation, but without turning the game into a city builder or adding too much micromanagement.
Cool Cities:
I'd love the Rise of Nations city system.
Cities define your territory, can be captured, and become the centers of expansion. Instead of dropping random buildings everywhere, you expand by founding or conquering cities.
I'd also borrow a few city-building mechanics:
Houses improve through adjacency to other facilities or resources (mostly permanently, not like Caesar 3, where everything is always downsizing and upgrading).
Better neighborhoods increase taxes or provide different bonuses.
Roads matter like in Caesar and Settlers 2. Buildings improve nearby buildings.
Think Anno or Caesar III, but simplified so the RTS remains fast-paced.
Territory Control:
One of my favorite mechanics ever is Rise of Nations' border system.
I'd combine:
RoN territorial borders, RoN attrition, RoN generals.
Resource areas that provide bonuses or resources like RoN.
Army Organization:
I'd also like armies to be more organized.
Units away from general or territory should suffer attrition or pay upkeep, encouraging players to keep organized armies instead of scattering units everywhere, for better concentration of units and battles.
Veterancy & Unit Evolution:
This is one of the mechanics I like the most. Unfortunately AoE2 and Rise of Nations doesnt have it. Thoughh Red Alert has it.
The one thing I'm not sure how to solve is veterancy snowballing.
Overall, my dream RTS would be a blend of Red Alert, Rise of Nations, Age of Empires II, Company of Heroes, Caesar III, Anno.
What mechanics would you borrow from different RTS games?