I'm not a high level player, I basically look at replays from big tourneys (MLG DH etc), and see if I can replicate them against the very easy AI, try to match the timings. And then If I feel confident about it I try to use it in the ladder, otherwise I play with it with clan people and see if it works, and if I like it, I take it to the ladder and try it out. At my league, if you can follow a build accurately, you can more or less win most ladder matches (hopefully I will be getting out soon ).
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