[cruxis]

Hey, I'm just a lowly Gold Zerg, trying to rise up the ranks. I watch streams and VoDs, and of course read SC2SEA/TL. And one thing that I've always seen, is that you have to keep playing to get better.

Now, that's all well and good.

But I was thinking. When I go to the gym, I can't train every body part, everyday, as that will actually cause damage. The muscles need to relax and regenerate before putting them trough such stress again. Then, every couple of months, I take a week off. When I come back, I've found I'm just better at most things in the gym.

So, with this logic, how would taking a break from SC2 improve/set back my progress? Anyone done something like this and noticed how their game play changed?

[iMSystem]

One day, I woke up and decided to ladder after a 12hour sleep, and went 10-0

But I always take a 30min - 1hr break at random times of the day when I'm laddering, and often I don't ladder at all for a couple of days.
Playing without any breaks will tire you and you will play poorly compared to when you start playing after a full rest / a few days without thinking about the game.

I find my play stays at worst, consistent and it only improves.. But I suppose it differs from person to person

[mGMUSE]

It'll be much much more efficient in terms of the total amount of hours you put in. Bad & stubborn mistakes tend to disappear after a period of hiatus and it's almost like you're playing the game with a fresh mindset but still retaining the mechanics.

The hard part, however is if you're able to take a break... it's pretty hard

[Xeen]

Taking some time off playing can help. Your mechanics will diminish, but as others said, it can give you some time to think about things and not get too burnt out playing the game.

Stay away for too long and you'll just get worse, though. There's a reason the people who practice the most perform the best.

[NoxMortus]

I feel a good comparison to gaming would be study. You don't sit there studying for copious hours on end without breaks and expect to absord the information nor feel fresh. The same can be said for gaming. Your brain can only handle so much until it is 'fried' and needs a break and that will differ between people just as study habits differ.

One of the techniques I have used over the years of gaming was when I needed a break from RTS I would switch games for an hour or so (or days) and go play a FPS or RPG...something mindless where you don't really need to think.

You could equate changing games to working different muscle groups in the gym as each genre requires different levels of intensity and awareness.

[FvRScrewby]

I usually take a break every 2 hours and have a snack or watch some anime. I notice my attention lowers the more I play so it helps.

[inFeZa]

I Havnt played ladder in 2 days, just messing around in 4v4 and stuff and offracing ect..
but yeah i find its always good to stop the grind every now and then and just get your head clear, watch some streams, come up with some crazy ideas and come back fresh.

[nirvAnA]

breaks are good they give u a fresh perspective

like writing a thesis then putting it down doing other stuff and looking at it 1 week later
you see lots of things differently