[Trusty]

Originally Posted by breadfan

So I guess the question is now, when do I expand from this style of build focus? Diamond? Masters? GM?

Never, keep doing it.

See a cool thread on TL that has a build you want to try? Chuck it in one of your match ups, spam it.
See someone do a sick timing in GSTL? Watch the vod. Break the build down on paper. Use it, spam it.

Literally, your goal should be that if you loaded a replay of you, and one of MVP - there should be no difference till the 'deviation' parts in the build. Him doing a 2rax should be the same as you doing a 2rax (obviously his micro will be better :P).

That's your goal, hit all the benchmarks. Don't be late on any of your stuff.


Here's a cute example I like to say to my students (I use PvP as an example).
There are 2 guys, A & B. Both play protoss.
- Player A only practices 4gate. He can do it perfectly, hitting a 5:34 warp-in every time. Regardless.
- Player B 'just does' a variety of builds. He doesn't care about hitting perfect benchmarks. He does a variety of 1gate tech 'stuff', and just puts it down to 'build order loss' when he loses to 4gate.

For examples sake, Player B cannot get a sentry out vs suspected 4gate by 5:25 when he's doing 1gate Robo/Stargate/TC - he hasn't practiced and refined his builds enough.

They meet in a tournament, best of 5.
What do you think is going to happen if player A decides to 4gate 3 games in a row?

He's going to Dominate player B.
- Player B has no idea on the exact time he needs to scout in order to afford a Sentry by 5:25.
- He doesn't know the exact time he needs to add his 2nd and 3rd gateway.
- He doesn't know how to position his units on a secondary-ramp like Shakuras nat.
- He doesn't know to use 3 cb's on WG, and save a 4th at the 'danger time' (5:10 -> 5:35).
- He is only able to warp-in one panic-sentry, then falls over and dies.

Practice makes perfect. Don't cut corners in your practice. If you can't hit similar timings as Nestea/Mc/Mvp, then keep practicing till you can.
Don't make excuses.
Don't compare yourself to your friends/peers around you on the ladder.

Someone bitches to you when you 4gate them? Calls you a noob? Tells you "You'll get nowhere doing that, noob"??
You just tell them: "Where do you think you'll go if you keep losing to it?".

Final note: Don't plateau. If you think you've mastered a build, start a new one. Keep learning.

Quick Comments

	breadfan:	Wow, that edit turned this into a real gold mine. You have been amazingly helpful this thread
	FlashVeno:	amazingly true
	FSBenAD:	Great post!
	rezyn8:
	Nemo:	Thanks, very interesting.
	SLCN.Kez:	Motivational!
	illpot: