[Seagal]

As a gold player i have vsed a couple of diamonds in customs and lose alot more than i win, and i was wondering; wat are the main differences between someone at a gold level and someone at a diamond level?

[Xeen]

Basic mechanics. Build order execution and macro.

That's about it. You don't need any more to make diamond.

[Satu]

Basically everyone says one word when hearing this question. Macro.

But it can come down to the finer points of your mechanics that lead your macro to be a bit off. For you, since you're zerg, one of the harder things to do is consistently inject larvae every 40 seconds of the game, drone timings, gas timings, overlord timings. But more importantly is the ability to remember the timings and actually perform the correct actions at the correct times in game due to you having this memory. How do you get the ability to remember what to do perfectly?

You practice, instead of blankly playing the game. Look at the game timer a lot and take note of when your actions are being performed and when they should be coming out based on your build order. I think there would be a practice map or two based on this.

If you can do that and you still lose, then look at your scouting and decision making as well. But it gets to the point where if your opponents can consistently still beat you while you can do that, they are actually genuinely good.

[Seagal]

wat about the difference between gameplans of the two leagues. Like in gold, i think ill just get some roachs against toss and then get hydras and then get corruptors if i see collosus. Would a diamond player be thinking a more complex plan than a gold?

[Skitz]

Originally Posted by Seagal

wat about the difference between gameplans of the two leagues. Like in gold, i think ill just get some roachs against toss and then get hydras and then get corruptors if i see collosus. Would a diamond player be thinking a more complex plan than a gold?

I would assume a diamond would be thinking more about how to force their opponent to different tech paths, but it seems all you need to get into diamond is decent mechanics.

one day I'll get there.

[Xed]

Originally Posted by Seagal

wat about the difference between gameplans of the two leagues. Like in gold, i think ill just get some roachs against toss and then get hydras and then get corruptors if i see collosus. Would a diamond player be thinking a more complex plan than a gold?

I've watched pro's actually pulling off this type of strategy in YouTube. I guess the difference between gold and diamond players is that even though they have the same strategies in mind, the diamond players will execute the strategy very smoothly. Meaning, constant worker production, not getting supply blocked, scouting, resource management and all that good jazz. Basically, macro. Just like what the others said.

[Seagal]

its so wierd, these last few weeks the only thing ive been really focusing on when i play are injecting and also contant overlord scouting, these 2 things have like improved my play 10fold as i am now beating friends of mine in diamond quite confidently aswell as randoms in diamond and plat on custom games. Are these things ive been practicing considered macro?

[Cute]

As the others say, macro and a solid build order for each matchup will get you into diamond. The skill difference between low diamond and gold is actually rather small. I lose to gold players all the time

[flatline]

I have climbed through all the leagues from copper(beta) -> diamond and I can safely say that most players from the bottom to low-diamond are 1-trick ponies. They do not have any firm grasp in the fundamentals and mechanics of the game, they simply regurgitate build orders they see online and once you beat that, the game suddenly becomes a lot easier as they fumble around and screw themselves.

Or they try to cheese, fail, then leave.

[Xeen]

A lot of over-estimate what 'diamond' means. Diamond does not mean you understand the game. It does not mean you have complex gameplay. It just means you can make a lot of units and 1a, or cheese competently.

tbh Diamond is not so much an achievement of skill, but where you start learning how to play Starcraft and developing skill.

[tin]

difference is decision making / reaction but you can make it into diamond and still not understand the fundamentals.i have a friend that made it to diamond on tatics rather then solid play

[ToRXypha]

IMO diamond is where your real learning begins, its where your start to adapt those build orders you've solidly learnt to get you there, now the standard build wont always work and you will be out played because you are predictable. Now you have to learn to adapt to your opponent and execute that change while giving minimal waste with poor decisions or time thinking what should i do now.

I personally got to diamond then found myself playing less, having to really think about why i lost or won the last few games. if i dont know why i asked a friend to watch the replay and tell me what they thought.

[DRFT]

i think its just the experience u get from playing, it boosts your confidence & u make better decisions.
how many times hav u watched a replay & though FK if only...!!!
then after this happens several times u finally drill it into your brain & u play diff
i havent played for a while, but i dont think ive ever lost to a player in gold league since ive been in platinum - except one time when i was experimenting with a thor rush against a protoss player in blistering sands, i knew he was going mass zealot rush because no gas, but for some reason, like a fool, i still went along with my thor rush & that was GG as you could imagine ^^ lol - still haunts me to this day...

[dennistoo]

ive not been playing with standard built order recently. just mix and match and see how it works well. oh well, i still lost to gold sometimes when i do 1v1 laddering. hate PVP match up most where most of the toss will go 4G all in.

[Stroggos]

a vast combination of things makes up the difference, there is no real answer as it is different for every gold and diamond player. You cannot just say its macro, micro and build order ect.