Gacha games usually have a bad reputation for having snoozefest gameplay paired with a repetitive and bland combat system. The combat of a game is the determining factor and, in most cases, is the decision maker for the player whether they will play the game or not. Players have to face these predatory practices enforced by the game and if the gameplay is lackluster, then the player will surely divert to another game. Recently, Gacha games have grown more than games for mobile phones as the newer titles put even the best machinery on a stress test.

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Each gacha game has its own unique touches, which make up for a fun and interesting combat system. Players looking for a new gacha game might find this ranking of Gacha Games that have the best combat system.

The combat systems of each gacha game might not be similar to each other. This means that comparing a turn-based RPG with an open-world ARPG is not a fair comparison. This list only recommends the games with the best combat system in their respective genre.

10 Goddess of Victory: Nikke

Shoot Enemies From Covers

Nikke Gameplay

Platform(s)

Android, Microsoft Windows, iOS

Released

4 November 2022

Developer(s)

SHIFT UP Corporation, Level Infinite

Publisher(s)

Level Infinite, Proxima Beta Pte. Limited, Tencent Games, Ubisoft

Genre

Role-playing Video Game, Third-person shooter

At first, Nikke appears to be a thirst trap game that appeals to players looking for seductive anime girls, but at its core, Nikke has more to offer to the players. Nikke features a third-person shooter style combat, but it should not be confused with the likes of games such as Call of Duty as it adds its own touches to the genre.

The battle mechanics of the game require players to be quick with their reflexes when on the battlefield and plan out the entire course of battle with strategic thinking. The combat system of Nikke features a cover system that allows players to strategically position the units to fight against enemies. The cover system adds more choices for the players as they have to decide when to fire, take cover, or use the abilities to win the battle.

The game also features a wide range of enemies with their respective weaknesses and strengths and players have to exploit this information to their advantage all the while switching the characters in the team to overpower the enemies. Goddess of Victory: Nikke stands out as a gacha game with its compelling combat system and players looking for a shooting gacha will definitely find it charming with its fast-paced gameplay.

9 Genshin Impact

Utilize Elemental Reaction To Deal Lethal Damage

genshin-impact-4.4-new-combat-event-trial-characters
Genshin Impact

Platform(s)
Mobile , iOS , Android , PC , PS4 , PS5
Released
September 28, 2020
Genre(s)
RPG , Action , Adventure , Gacha

Genshin Impact made gacha games more mainstream thanks to their explosive popularity among the masses. The game attracted players with its interesting combat system that revolves around elemental reactions. Controlling a team consisting of 4 characters, players can use them to procure a variety of reactions that happen when two or more elements react with each other.

Each character plays a specific role in the team, as players learn how to cycle through each character to maximize the damage dealt by the team by optimizing the rotation, all the while dodging enemy attacks making up for a fun combat system. With everything that Genshin Impact provides, it can be considered as some of the best games to play, assuming players are ready to sink their time in and get across the gacha aspect of the game.

8 Solo Leveling: Arise

Hack And Slash Enemies As You Level Up

extreme evasion in solo leveling arise.
Solo Leveling:ARISE

Platform(s)
Android , iOS , PC
Released
May 8, 2024
Developer(s)
Netmarble
Publisher(s)
Netmarble
Genre(s)
Gacha , Action

At first look, Solo Leveling: Arise felt like a half-hearted attempt to make a cash grab after the surge in popularity of the hit manhwa Solo Leveling. However, the game upon its release proved everyone wrong as it made players experience the ‘System’ that was used by Sung Jinwoo in the story. The game does a fine job of making players experience the world of Solo Leveling from both ends, the strongest hunter – Sung Jinwoo, and other hunters in the story.

The game separates the two as players play solo when playing as Jinwoo, utilizing his skills and the system while fighting monsters. When playing as other hunters, players can form a team with other hunters and can actively use them in combat when fighting the magical creatures.

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The combat system of Solo Leveling: Arise is well crafted with smooth mechanics that revolve around precise dodges, QTEs, utilization of i-frames, and abilities. The tight gameplay that demands a certain level of learning along with fluid animations and a wide variety of abilities to use, the combat of Solo Leveling: Arise stands out among other gachas as it attracts long-time fans of the series as well as newcomers who enjoy fast-paced combat.

7 Aether Gazer

Fight Enemies With AI Controlled Teammates

Battle Starting in Aether Gazer
Aether Gazer

Platform(s)
Android , iOS
Developer
yostar games
Publisher
yostar games
Genre(s)
Action

After Genshin Impact came out, there has been a rise in action RPGs as the market for gacha games keeps on expanding. Aether Gazer dives into this trend with its unique take on the combat system. While the game feels similar to games like Honkai Impact 3rd and Punishing: Gray Raven, Aether Gazer uses a different approach as it focuses on a single character while the player is in the battle instead of deploying a team to fight enemies. The remaining two characters on the team are commanded by AI as players fight together with them to defeat the foes.

The combat system also features a new Correction mode, and when players enter this mode, they move into a new space where the enemy is stunned, as they can attack the enemy without any interruptions. Players can also chain the ultimate skills of many characters together to perform a synchronized attack. Aether Gazer adds its unique touches to the action gacha games as it stands out among the list of gachas that have come out in recent times.

6 Honkai Impact 3rd

Fluid Gameplay With Beautiful Battle Choreography

Honkai Impact 3rd
Honkai Impact 3rd

Platform(s)
PC , Android , iOS
Released
October 14, 2016
Publisher
Genre(s)
Action , RPG , Adventure

Honkai Impact 3rd is an addictive game that charms players with its well-developed fight mechanics. The game offers more than great cinematics, impressive visuals, and a deep storyline that hooks the player to the game.

While the game is now more than 7 years old, the battle mechanics of the game still stand up against any action gacha as players get involved in a fight against giant monsters. Players have to make the most out of each Valkyrie in the battle, as every decision counts. The combat system has some depth to it, as players have to understand when certain conditions are triggered and how to utilize each mechanic of the game. With all being said, Honkai Impact 3rd provides some of the best combat systems that work smoothly across all devices from a mobile phone to a PC.

5 Wuthering Waves

Fast-Paced Combat In An Open World

chixia in a combat in wuthering waves.
Wuthering Waves

Platform(s)
Android , iOS , PC
Released
May 22, 2024
Developer(s)
Kuro Games
Publisher(s)
Kuro Games
Genre(s)
Action RPG , Open-World

Kuro Game’s latest hit, Wuthering Waves, is an open-world ARPG that is stylish if it were to be described in a word. The flashy combat is a one-of-a-kind experience as players control a team of 3 characters with them wielding quirky weapons ranging from swords to pistols to a rectifier.

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From dodging enemy attacks at near-hit moments to unleashing a barrage of bullets on the enemies or slamming enemies in midair. The combat system of Wuthering Waves raises the bar for any ARPG. Each character has its own unique playstyle and the game requires players to learn the mechanisms and master them to truly survive in the wilderness of Solaris-3.

4 Brown Dust 2

Tactical Combat On A Grid Layout

beatrix attacking enemy

Platform(s)

Android, Microsoft Windows, iOS

Released

June 22, 2023

Developer(s)

NEOWIZ

Publisher(s)

NEOWIZ

Genre

RPG, Turn-based

Gacha games generally carry a bad perception with them, as people think they carry boring and repetitive gameplay that has nothing much to offer to the players. However, this belief doesn’t apply to the sequel of Brown Dust 1.

Building upon its predecessors and working on its shortcomings to create a game stronger than the previous one. Brown Dust 2 offers a fine-tuned combat system revolving around dungeon crawling, turn-based strategy. The battles in Brown Dust 2 play out as a strategic match of chess as players take control of the combat that takes place on a grid-based layout which is three blocks wide and four blocks long.

In the interesting turn-based combat system, players get to choose their character, their abilities, turn, and position on the grid. Players have to carefully plan out the battle and positioning of the units and enemies to win the battle. The game does not hold back, as even the weakest enemies pose a threat and players can not just press buttons to complete the stage. The complex combat System of Brown Dust 2 is challenging but intriguing, and it rewards players as better positioning of the units is more rewarding than obtaining rare characters and leveling them up, which makes Brown Dust 2 worth a try for anyone who likes to dabble in this genre.

3 Honkai: Star Rail

Well Made Turn-Based Combat With Stellar Attack Animations

Kafka performing her Ultimate attack in Star Rail
Honkai: Star Rail

Platform(s)
Android , iOS , PC , PS5
Released
April 26, 2023
Genre(s)
RPG

It would not be an exaggeration if someone said that Honkai: Star Rail has one of the best turn-based combat systems for a gacha game. The game is a perfect blend of alluring characters, a captivating story, and engaging combat that can keep players hooked on the game for hours.

The turn-based combat is cleverly crafted in a way that requires players to strategize in crucial fights and also has an auto-battle feature to ease the tedious grinding aspect of gachas. Great character designs are a strong forte for Star Rail and, with unique attack animations and a wide list of characters to choose for the team, everything makes up for a fun combat that players can enjoy for a considerable time.

The sheer versatility of forming teams grants players the power to experiment with characters. The battles in Star Rail appeal to both the casual players who just want to enjoy a good story and the hardcore players who enjoy the thrill of difficult battles and overcoming challenges. Overall, Star Rail does a great job at charming players of any kind.

2 Punishing Gray Raven

Feel The Rush Of The Battle

Alpha fighting twins
Punishing: Gray Raven

Platform(s)
Android , iOS
Released
December 5, 2019
Developer
Guangzhou Kuro Technology Co., Ltd.
Publisher
Guangzhou Kuro Technology Co., Ltd.
Genre(s)
Action

While there are a number of action RPGs gachas to play, it is not wrong to say that Punishing: Gray Raven deserves a spot in the top bracket for it, especially thanks to its great combat system. The game’s combat system is fluid, stylish, and challenging. It requires players to learn the intricate mechanisms and utilize them to their fullest while facing off enemies.

The fast-paced combat makes the player feel the rush of the battle, as players can dodge around and attack enemies in a beautiful manner that is akin to beautiful battle choreography. The combat system is unique in itself as it uses RNG orbs to fight enemies, and players have to use them to perform combos to gain special attacks. The QTE system in PGR is also one of a kind, as players are required to meet specific conditions to trigger it which results in additional damage dealt to foes.

Punishing: Gray Raven takes inspiration from games like Honkai Impact 3rd and Nier but adds its own unique touches to the game. It results in the birth of something new and fascinating and fans of games like Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, or Nier will definitely like this game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world.

1 Arknights

Be The Last Line Of Defense

Arknights
Arknights

Platform(s)
Android , iOS
Released
May 1, 2019
Developer(s)
Hypergryph
Publisher
yostar limited
Genre(s)
Strategy

Arknights is a tower defense game made by Hypergryph and published by Yostar. While the tower defense style of combat would not appeal to everyone, it certainly has a charm of its own as players get to control a team full of adorable characters that are equipped with a variety of skills to fend off enemies.

The way the battle system works is that the players control units called operators, and they deploy them on the battlefield to fight enemies and prevent them from coming in. The game requires players to strategize and carefully plan the battle. There is more than one way to overcome a battle and players can find their own unique solutions to them.

While players can just brute force through many levels by leveling up the operators, in many stages of the game, it forces you to form a strategy to win. Each level in Arknight is created in a certain way and this nature of Arknights differs it from its counterparts as brain-dead strategies are met with an early demise. Carefully utilizing each operator in their respective class is fundamental for the game and tower defense fans looking for a game that is a mixture of fun and challenges will find Arknight to be a delicious treat.

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