Which sucks because they're so fucking rare. I collect these games, and because I was introduced to them first, before traditional RTS games, they are now my preference. If you don't have an avatar, then you are capable of observing your units and assume control of them directly. Sometimes you are no different from the units you create. Sometimes you are godly, and meant to throw yourself into the fray to turn the tide. Sometimes you are weak and helpless and must surround yourself with your army. In those games, you almost always take control of just one avatar, and from there your options vary. If you build ranged units, you can shoot along side them. An Action RTS games is one in which if you build melee units, you can melee with them.