Starcraft II

[MountainGo]

when RTS games are played competitively then it quickly feels like work. Just very twitchy and little time to think.

I see where you're coming from with this. In my current stage I often completely forget to keep my supply limit up, only to hear the dreaded YOU MUST CONSTRUCT ADDITIONAL PYLONS (or equivalent, depending on my race). I actually find those moments kind of funny, though, and I enjoy the challenge of remembering to do several different things and juggling my time between them. When things go smoothly, I feel like some sort of mastermind. Yesterday I watched a video by Day[9] (http://day9tv.blip.tv/file/3732340/, thanks to Araban for the recommendation) where he talks about how the key is not clicking/typing fast; it's just remembering to do on time everything you have to do. After finishing that video, I booted up the game and tried the "opening gambit" single player challenge that I'd been struggling with and immediately beat it with the gold medal.

[fwiffo]

Well, my copy arrived today. What's the battle.net equivalent of 30 kyu?

[Toge]

Well, my copy arrived today. What's the battle.net equivalent of 30 kyu?

- Looks at the keyboard and asks where this "shift" key is.

I'm getting the game too in some weeks when my new computer arrives. It would be nice to play some cooperative games with you guys. Battle.net's "social" features are bit lacking after all. Also region lock (I'm in Europe) probably restricts contacts further

[ketchup]

I'm getting the game too in some weeks when my new computer arrives. It would be nice to play some cooperative games with you guys. Battle.net's "social" features are bit lacking after all. Also region lock (I'm in Europe) probably restricts contacts further

Actually, didn't they remove that region lock? I'm pretty sure it's playable for everyone right now. I'm going to be waiting before I pick up the normal copy, if I buy it at all. I'm really interested in DotA for SC2, and it'll probably be a while until a really clean version of that is released too. Not to mention, the ladders are probably really volatile right now. I think it's just easier to play casually some month later.

[fwiffo]

I don't like my empty friends list. How do I add you guys?

Edit: Dear FSM, I can't believe I pluralized with an apostrophe. Shoot me now.

[Harleqin]

Whom do you call your "empty friend"?

[Toge]

Actually, didn't they remove that region lock? I'm pretty sure it's playable for everyone right now.

- It's still intact and likely will be in the future. It means that no-one can play against players from different region/continent.

Single player is probably the best thing about the game. All the reviews are based on that and the superb engine which the game is built upon. However, single-player isn't going to last forever and the battle.net experience is going to leave something to be desired. For instance you can only communicate with people you have added to friends list. With no LAN features, Activision-Blizzard is the one calling shots. I'm doubtful something as radically different as DotA could surface on this platform.

Right now everyone is enthusiastic about the campaign and newness of the game. Give it a month or two if you're doubtful.

[Aphelion]

Aphelion.831 on US server here. I will be playing the campaign until I finish it, but I'm willing to play a game here and there with L19x19 members.

[fwiffo]

Fwiffo.852 on the US server. I honestly have no clue what I'm doing, so I'm going to mostly be playing the campaign. But if you want somebody to beat up on, I'll be on a lot this weekend.

[Solomon]

Shobute.983 here. I'm using two accounts, this one for campaign/racking up points and the other for mass laddering/training for the time being. I use this one more frequently though, so hit me up for a game or AT!

[MountainGo]

<-- BillyBanana 755

(I didn't want to post my code at first, so I could make sure it wasn't a way to access my RealID.)

For those who have no idea what you're supposed to be doing, here's what I gather are the very basics:
1. Always be making exactly one worker (SCV, drone, or probe) for each harvesting structure (command center, hatchery, or nexus). Using the queues ties up your resources since you have to pay for the unit when you queue it, not when it's produced. This is Bad because it delays your progress in other areas. Put your harvesting structure on a hotkey and get in the habit of regularly checking back so you can queue up the next worker just before the last one is done. You can usefully have three workers per mineral patch and per refinery, so a standard base with 8 mineral patches and 2 geysers should be manned by about 30 workers. But even once you reach 30, keep making workers so that you'll be able to transfer them over to your next expansion.
2. When you get money, spend it. Day[9] identifies 500 as a number you should never see your minerals go above. The main two ways of spending are building a new unit-producing structure (which should always be producing one unit, just like your harvesting structure) and expanding to a new base. Whatever you do, don't spend it by queuing up more units. I have been tempted to do that in the past, but it is awful. Trust me. When you get in the habit of never using the queues, you'll be amazed at the speed and quantity of your army production.
3. Keep close to your supply limit, but try to never hit it. Watch that upper right. When you start getting close, build a supply depot / overlord / pylon soon enough that you never get "supply blocked". But don't get lazy and build a whole bunch just so you don't have to worry about it for a while.

All that is the main idea behind macromanagement (or "macro"), the first thing a player should improve. The general theme here is this: Gather as much money as possible, and never spend more than you have to at any given point in time.

[explo]

I am explo.427 on the Europe server.

[fwiffo]

Yeah, I saw that tip about keeping money below 500, always building workers, avoid queuing things. At my skill level, just doing all that is very hard, and if I'm trying to do anything with my dudes, I'll be falling way behind (yeah, I am using hotkeys, or I'm trying at least). So, obviously, I have lots of practice ahead of me in the manual dexterity department.

I still need to learn the different buildings, units, tech trees and counters, so maybe it's all too much at once.

[yoyoma]

US, KillerDucky.524, Silver Terran

I'll be at the US Congress so not playing much if at all this week. I'm bringing my DVD though in hopes that I can find other players and some computers to use (Tuesday night / Wednesday could be SC2 time?).

[MountainGo]

Yeah, I saw that tip about keeping money below 500, always building workers, avoid queuing things. At my skill level, just doing all that is very hard, and if I'm trying to do anything with my dudes, I'll be falling way behind (yeah, I am using hotkeys, or I'm trying at least). So, obviously, I have lots of practice ahead of me in the manual dexterity department.

I still need to learn the different buildings, units, tech trees and counters, so maybe it's all too much at once.

Don't worry about sabaki before you know how to make two eyes.