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There is no winner yet: PC Gamer’s October 1, 2026 feature put 16 real-time strategy units into a reader-vote bracket, but its first round was still underway when the article was published. It is a contest of favorites, not a verdict on which unit is objectively strongest.
What the vote is—and what it can decide
PC Gamer’s bracket asks readers to pick a favorite in randomized head-to-head matchups. The feature deliberately leaves “best” open: a voter might care about a unit’s battlefield performance, visual design, usefulness, sound, animation, humor, or place in a game’s world. Its author, Fraser Brown, puts the question plainly: “But what does ‘best’ actually mean? That’s up to you!”
That makes the eventual winner the bracket’s reader favorite, not proof of competitive superiority. The feature offers no shared scoring system that could turn these very different qualities into a single numerical ranking.
The 16 RTS units in the first round
PC Gamer selected one version when a unit appeared in multiple games in a series—for example, the Warcraft 3 Peon. These are the announced matchups and the cases the feature makes for each contender:
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#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter
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| Matchup | What makes each contender memorable |
|---|---|
| Peon (Warcraft 3) vs. Glass Dragon (Rise of Legends) | The Peon gathers resources and builds; the Glass Dragon stands out visually and can destroy tanks. |
| Mammoth Tank (Command and Conquer: Red Alert) vs. Petard (Age of Empires 2) | The Mammoth Tank is a costly, slow, powerful Soviet vehicle. The Petard is a specialist that sacrifices itself to destroy structures. |
| Psyker (Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War) vs. Rohirrim (Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth) | The Psyker’s abilities risk death from the Perils of the Warp; the Rohirrim call to mind a heavily upgraded mounted force. |
| High Templar (StarCraft 2) vs. Pride of Hiigara (Homeworld 2) | The High Templar is known for Psionic Storm’s area damage. The Pride of Hiigara serves as a mobile base and produces and carries capital ships. |
| Mirage Tank (Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3) vs. Ballista (Warcraft 2) | The Mirage Tank disguises itself for ambushes; the Ballista makes its mark with a simple, iconic giant-arrow attack. |
| Attack Cycle (Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun) vs. Executor Super Star Destroyer (Star Wars: Empire at War) | The Attack Cycle is cheap and fast, making it suited to swarming. The Executor is pitched on immense scale and firepower. |
| Atreides Sonic Tank (Dune 2) vs. Dolphin (Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2) | The Sonic Tank pairs an infantry-killing weapon with Dune’s distinctive setting. The Dolphin is fast and lightly armored, with potent sonic attacks when deployed in groups. |
| Peewee (Total Annihilation) vs. Priest (Age of Empires) | The Peewee has an endearing animation and name; the Priest is memorable for its “Wololo” line. |
How to choose a favorite
The bracket does not require voters to use one definition of “best.” Its prompts include which unit would win a one-on-one brawl, which looks better, and even which resembles an ordinary tree. The candidates also invite comparisons of support utility, cost, swarm potential, risk, spectacle, and comic or audio appeal.
- For battlefield impact: weigh a unit’s damage or special abilities against its risks and role. The High Templar’s Psionic Storm and the Psyker’s dangerous powers offer very different cases.
- For utility: consider what the unit does beyond fighting. A Peon’s economic and construction work or the Pride of Hiigara’s mobile-base role may matter more than a flashy attack.
- For spectacle and design: compare the Glass Dragon’s appearance, the Executor’s scale, or the visual trick of the Mirage Tank.
- For personality and nostalgia: a memorable sound, animation, name, or association with a game can be enough. The Priest’s “Wololo” and the Peewee’s charm illustrate that kind of appeal.
PC Gamer’s invitation is simply to vote for a favorite under each pairing. A close matchup can come down to whichever of these qualities matters most to you.
Rank #2
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Has the bracket produced a winner?
Not in the October 1, 2026 article. PC Gamer said the polls would run until Sunday evening and that it planned to start quarter-finals early the following week. Those were plans announced at publication, not confirmation that the schedule held. The article gives no vote totals, percentages, final winner, or quantitative gameplay comparison. Read PC Gamer’s feature for the bracket and any subsequent poll updates.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 5
Best Value
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
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UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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Rank #3
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Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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