Combat plays a key role in defining the beauty and excitement of any video game. It's the thrill of the battle, the strategizing, and the triumph after defeating an enemy that keeps gamers hooked. For those in search of the best combat-based PC games, this carefully curated list showcases some of the most invigorating combat experiences that the world of gaming has to offer.

1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

CD Projekt's masterpiece, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, takes the first spot on our list. This game, based on Andrzej Sapkowski's fantasy novels, features a deep, complex combat system. Players are faced with a vast array of enemy types, each requiring different strategies to conquer. One has to balance between swordplay, magic, alchemy, and defensive tactics to overcome these challenges. The combat experience is fluid, addictive, and rewarding, making this game a must-play for combat enthusiasts.

2. Dark Souls III

FromSoftware's Dark Souls III is another heavy hitter with a ruthless and unforgiving combat system. The game's visceral, atmospheric battles against the grotesque creatures of a dying kingdom demand cunning, patience, and skill from the player. Every enemy encounter is a challenge, and every boss fight is a unique, memorable experience. Fraught with danger, the combat in Dark Souls III truly tests your gaming mettle.

3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Also developed by FromSoftware, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice offers an electrifying mix of stealth, exploration, and high-paced combat. This game replaces the stamina-based combat of the Dark Souls series with a focus on precision, timing, and strategy. Coupled with its unique posture system, the fights require the player to deflect attacks and exploit enemy weaknesses, making this combat experience a gripping tactical challenge.

4. For Honor

For Honor by Ubisoft brings together Vikings, samurai, and knights in a historically-fantasy setting. The game showcases a unique 'Art of Battle' combat system, where players control their weapons' movements with a precision-based mechanic. This game offers a perfect fusion of strategy and direct confrontation, providing an extremely satisfying, tension-filled multiplayer combat experience.

5. Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Kingdom Come: Deliverance by Warhorse Studios is a medieval RPG that accurately recreates 15th-century Bohemia's martial arts. The combat is slow-paced and methodical, emphasizing realism and historical accuracy over fantasy. The game rewards patience and strategy over brute force, providing a challenging yet rewarding experience for those willing to learn its intricacies.

6. Mount & Blade: Warband

Mount & Blade: Warband, created by TaleWorlds Entertainment, is an action-RPG game that stands out for its large-scale combat. It allows players to command their own warband and fight in massive battles with an intense and accurate medieval combat system. The thrill of leading your troops into battle, combined with strategic decision-making, makes the combat an exciting and gratifying endeavor.

7. DOOM (2016)

id Software’s reboot of the classic shooter, DOOM (2016), brings back the series' high-paced action in grand style. It boasts one of the most exciting and fluid combat experiences in shooting games. Emphasizing speed and aggression, this title keeps the player constantly moving, chaining together kills and using a variety of weaponry to obliterate the demonic forces.

8. Divinity: Original Sin II

Larian Studios' Divinity: Original Sin II adds a healthy dose of strategy to its combat. This role-playing game features a turn-based combat system that requires thoughtful decision-making. Interactive environments, elemental interactions, and the vast range of skills available provide layers of complexity to battles, making for a deeply rewarding combat experience.

9. Dragon Age: Inquisition

Bioware's Dragon Age: Inquisition offers a rich fantasy world combined with engaging and dynamic combat. The game allows players to switch between characters and control their abilities throughout battles, offering both strategic depth and direct confrontational combat. Altogether, the combat experience in Dragon Age: Inquisition caters to both action and strategy game lovers.

10. Monster Hunter: World

To round out our list, Capcom's Monster Hunter: World needs to be mentioned. Players hunt down massive beasts using a variety of weapons and equipment. Each hunt becomes a pulse-pounding experience, with the need to take down increasingly powerful monsters. The combat consists of weapon mastery, timing, positioning, and tracking, making every successful hunt feel like a hard-earned victory.

In conclusion, each of these games provides a unique take on combat, be it through raw action, intricate tactics, or sheer epic scale of battles. If you're always in for a superb fighting experience, these titles are worth the time and effort they demand. Go ahead and unleash your inner warrior!