I've been posting quite a few blogs recently, but it's not against the rule right? :P
After losing a ZvZ in Masters Cup (so frustrated, I could've got to Ro8 ), I dedicated a day yesterday to improve on my ZvZ.
I sat down, grabbed a notebook and a pen and turned on MLG Summer Championship VOD to study Violet's ZvZ.
The series I studied was of Violet vs Gix. Although Gix isn't really the top notch player, I thought looking at Violet's play would help alot.
First game, he went for an early third play on Daybreak.
The thing I noticed him do is he makes mass lings after his third to protect/pressure the opponent's third, and after that (although it's like the most basic thing to do in ZvZ) he non-stop drones. I just don't know how he can be so confident, droning up to nearly 75 and he makes no Roaches unless it's absolute necessary (I'm assuming he wants to save gas for infestors). I think that was what I was lacking. Not being afraid to drone when you're pressuring, as well as to be conservative with your gas, to only make units when necessary.
I guess I need to not miss my injects and always have larvae available to be able to do what Violet does
Second game, Violet went for a 2 base Muta play.
I loved this style, and couldn't wait to try it on the NA ladder.
I always thought "8 Mutas, meh, what are they going to do?"
I realized that those mutas can do ALOT in ZvZ. It may not kill drones nor Queens, but killing Overlords really gave him the map control. Violet's minimap was just beautiful to look at. He had EVERY attack path covered with Overlords and he would know when any attacks were coming.
I tried this out on NA server, and it was just satisfying to see my vision compared to my opponent's vision while watching the replay.
I think I like the Muta style more
Now the question I have in my mind is:
-What to do when your opponent also goes for Mutas?
Do I have to stick with mass mutas or should I transition to infestors? A game I played with sRWinter on ladder, I felt that having even one less muta gives away the map control to the opponent. I can't spread my overlords and I am in blind most of the time. Do I just stay passive and slowly takes bases while I make a Roach/Hydra/Infestor army?
Tonight, I'll probably study Violet vs Stephano and see what the both players do
From now to November, I really want to commit to getting better at Starcraft II. I've got to low GM MMR on NA without really studying the game, by just grinding. But I think it's time to put some quality time in it if I actually want to improve.
I'll be joining any online tournaments I can, and study lots of replays and VODs, something I should've started a long time ago.
Then in November, I'll be attending MLG Dallas to meet new people as well as compete in the open bracket. Hopefully I'll get pass round 1 >< (I don't want to be worse than Maximusblack)
There, I'll get to meet Moonglade again who I met in Korea WCG2011
If anyone wants to practice against me, I'll be happy to, so please give me a PM!
Oh and real life blog, I started my community college in US today. It's a painful process to go through as I couldn't straight up transfer to an university in US but that's life. On the positive side, the only attractive girl in my Economics class approached me after class. **** yeah.
You should watch nerchio vs violet from IEM. I think there was about 2 games were both players go muta vs muta so defs worth the watch if you're wanting to learn muta vs muta.
Well you should probably just watch nerchio play in general as he almost always opens muta xD
When I go muta vs muta my understanding (probably wrong) is upgrade the mutas as quick as possible, always have named in mineral lines/ontop of ramps and attack with lings whenever you can and then slowly transition into ling festor.
Ninja is the master of muta vs muta. I'm absolutely appalling at it but I know most of what you're meant to do:
1) Drones at 3rd are unimportant, you just need gas.
2) Carapace upgrades are ftw as it stops bounce damage!
3) Don't stop muta production!
4) Use extra queens rather then spores to help as only 1 spore will ever take part in a muta battle whereas all 6 queens can come to defend and use mass transfuse on your mutas! (Nerchio used this vs violet).
5) Having some banelings can be nice but more important is putting all your gas into mutas and just massing lings on the ground to stop their lings from causing significant damage. You have to just be on the ball constantly making sure you don't lose 30 lings to an enemy baneling!
6) Use a spine at your 3rd to aid defense incase you get caught off guard.
7) A nice trick is even in muta battles to bring your lings right underneath your mutas to absorb the bounce damage! This actually makes a huge difference
8) Ling counters squads are vital!
9) Don't attack with mutas unless you have a damn good reason! Every muta lost is a big setback!
Ninja is the master of muta vs muta. I'm absolutely appalling at it but I know most of what you're meant to do:
1) Drones at 3rd are unimportant, you just need gas.
2) Carapace upgrades are ftw as it stops bounce damage!
3) Don't stop muta production!
4) Use extra queens rather then spores to help as only 1 spore will ever take part in a muta battle whereas all 6 queens can come to defend and use mass transfuse on your mutas! (Nerchio used this vs violet).
5) Having some banelings can be nice but more important is putting all your gas into mutas and just massing lings on the ground to stop their lings from causing significant damage. You have to just be on the ball constantly making sure you don't lose 30 lings to an enemy baneling!
6) Use a spine at your 3rd to aid defense incase you get caught off guard.
7) A nice trick is even in muta battles to bring your lings right underneath your mutas to absorb the bounce damage! This actually makes a huge difference
8) Ling counters squads are vital!
9) Don't attack with mutas unless you have a damn good reason! Every muta lost is a big setback!
7) seems like a really cool trick!
OR OR, I could upgrade overlord speed and have mass of them in my army xD
and few people suggested Violet vs Nerchio, so I'll sure check that out tonight
In Muta vs Muta, unless you have a hidden base somewhere which guarantees you a greater gas income than your opponent you have to stick to muta.
What you also need to do is drone hard or 'ling hard', and defend/pressure the opposite option you chose. If you can deny your opponents gas for 30 seconds, your ahead and vice versa.
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