I found this interesting blog that discusses the best way to watch a replay. The key points are listed below:
- Watch the replay BACKWARDS in steps.
- This allows you to know the outcome before you see the events unfold that lead to the outcome.
- Before you go to the timeline/ section before, you need to actively question yourself on how you think these events came about and what should have happened to change the outcome.
- You then go back a step in the replay and see what really happened.
- This is important because when you are watching the previous section you are able to analyse it in more depth and more critically evaluate what happened beforehand because you already know what is going to happen.
- Also, because it is less enjoyable to watch a replay backwards, you are able to focus on analysis and watching a timeline evolve rather than watching a cool battle unfold or whatever.
Reading this post I realise I do a lot of these things but never put them into words before! I always try to stress watching reps for macro and thinking critically when I'm coaching. But this brings a lot more clarity as a comprehensive list ill definitely be passing this list onto everyone I coach! I find truly analyzing replays is quite time consuming but doesn't need to be done that often as most of the time there are simple macro errors or obvious points where you reacted poorly. Skimming replays for this sort of info is fine but when the metagame shifts and a MU starts really confusing you that's when you have to start watching those replays backwards!
My guideline when watching a replay, mine or other's, is the "Ctrl A" tab (Army and Workers pop), production tab "D" (is the player producing from he's buildings) and secondly "Ctrl R" witch is number of units and over all workers lost.
When watching those figures, I generally know the probable outcome of the game from them. Army composition and engagements gains more importance as the level of the players increases.
mine is usually D (production so u can see what's happening in the background) and then the rest i relie on mini-map and what is on the big screen. it really does help if you look the production tab 1st then the big screen then mainly if there is nothing happening vs you and your opponent usually there is something happening on the mini-map.
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