SC2SEA.com - Starcraft 2 SEA eSports Community Site

Whats up guys.
For a whole bunch of you guys that don't know, BSGCL grand final is this week. Already 3 games have been played, in which Clanless is up 2-1 over FaDe A. In case you didn't read my earlier blog some time ago, I also represent FaDe A. And I'll be discussing the preparation I've done coming into the Grand Final.

BSGCL Grand Final is a BO5, and so I can be playing either 4th or 5th. Generally the latter spots mean that you may not get to play many games, or any at all but it doesn't mean you still can't be prepared. You may be called on at any moment, and you have to be prepared to play. It's like getting caught with your pants down...not a pretty sight.

Being a , there's always something you can work on. Macro, Creep spread, larva injects, overlord spead, the list goes on and on. And I find the best way to work on these mechanics is either:

1. Verse a very easy computer, simulate yourself scouting and then go for the mechanic you were aiming for. Focusing on larva injects? Don't miss one throughout the entire game. Everything else you'll notice will slip, but it doesn't matter. Keep practising hitting your larva injects, I'm sure you'll see an improvement in your game, I certainly have. Same can apply for creep spread and overlord spread and macro. Focus only on one thing, do more and you'll start to struggle with your larva injects, or your creep spread and so on.

2. Training partners/Clan Mates. There's an awesome channel called PRACBUD where a lot of people go to play 1v1s and practice. Hit it up and ask to prac with someone, I'm sure someone will oblige happily. Otherwise you can always grab your friends. Don't have a clan? Forever alone? So ronely? Find a clan! sc2sea.com has plenty of clans recruiting at different times. Put your name out there asking for a clan to join. We all know playing this game is more fun when you have friends to chill around with also.

3. Ladder. Although you will probably lose focusing on one thing in a ladder game, if you don't mind epic losses then I suppose this is also an option. But it would be better if you did the numbers 1/2 up there.

Other Way of Improvement:

I find a very good way to improve is to ask a higher level friend or clanmate to face me. If you get smashed, then watch the replay together and find out why you failed. I hate losing, but you have to swallow your pride as you know you'll most likely lose/pwned/swaffled/destroyed/obliterated/punished/slaughtered/listgoeson (I mean come on, igold vs idiamond?). Don't just think that you'll lose though. Have the confidence to say 'I'm good enough to beat this guy.' The best part though, is that if you get smashed, you can find out what your clanmate/friend was thinking in that process, and then compare it to the game. What did I know? What did I do wrong? Communication is key here, talk about your thought process and why you lost. Ask your clanmate/friend about what you did wrong. They're in a higher league for a reason, find out and learn from their experiences. If you win, awesome. Then find out how you won. Did they go 1 rax FE and you countered with early speedling pressure that denied his natural and then busted his main to eat the scvs inside? Find out how you won. Some games you might have blindly countered and fluked it.

Of course, take everything they say with a grain of salt (as in don't take everything they say as truth, same thing as you read this blog, what works for me might not work for you, I'm just sharing my experiences). If you say 'don't hatch in ZvZ' they will say 'why not? You certainly can'. It's because they have better mechanics, however you don't and for example a 10 overpool you might die to, they can easily hold off while playing Skyrim and shooting someone in the knee with an arrow at the same time.

Race Matchups:

I hate this part. I am in no way really qualified to really tell you wtf to do in a zvz, zvp, zvt.
Everyone has their own style of play, it evolves as you carry on into the game. You'll find some players to be macro beasts, others to have a seemingly berserk style ala JulyZerg. Others you'll find enjoy playing SC2 as a game of luck. The best way to experience these matchups, is to play. Pro-replays and tournaments are awesome to watch (Blizzard Cup finals MMA vs DRG anyone?), and you can take things from there. However, nothing ever beats you playing the game yourself. It adds to your experience, and if you analyse losses, you'll surely come out better than you were before.

And so the best advice I can give you in terms of having a weak match up is to practice it. Find a friend, find a clanmate, find a random off the street. Doesn't matter as long as you practice the matchup. Learn all the different types of openings they can possibly do. Try different unit compositions. Okay, so you found out that roach hydra dies to 4 colloball of imbadeath. Damn those balls of collo. How do you counter that? Find out what works.

My ZvP was definately my weakest. So I sought out a protoss player from Clan FaDe and asked to verse him. He destroyed me despite my best efforts. But I also learnt so much from playing against him.

Rico's Last Pieces Of Advice

Sc2 is a game. Stop playing if you stop enjoying and having fun with it.

Edit: I just realised this blog is a bit similar to my other one...but I hope it's still a good read nonetheless!