Starcraft 2 Advice?

[EcHoFiiVe]

I'm anticipating getting Starcraft 2 for Christmas, or if not for Christmas, I will be buying it soon after. I have never really played games like Starcraft. I played WoW for a year or so in middle school, so I have experience with Blizzard games, and I used to play a lot of Age of Empires, so I have experience with that style of game, like build and create units etc. but I know neither of those games is similar at all to Starcraft. I was just wondering if there are anythings I should know about the game, so I don't go into is completely lost and just continuously getting thrashed. I was thinking I would play Protoss, because I did some research and Protoss appears to be the middle ground between defensive (Terran I believe) and offensive (Zerg).

 

[Skorpyo]

Starcraft 2 is really good at bringing the player up-to-speed on commands and unit types. It's really easy to get into.

As for what campaign you choose, you've got the offensive/defensive correct. Just choose accordingly.

 

[EcHoFiiVe]

Starcraft 2 is really good at bringing the player up-to-speed on commands and unit types. It's really easy to get into.

As for what campaign you choose, you've got the offensive/defensive correct. Just choose accordingly.

So it should just come naturally to me? And what kind of APM should I get up to in order to be able to win at least half of my games, I know when I first start out I'm going to be terrible, but after a while I would like to actually win some games lol.

 

[Zacharine]

The single player is fairly easy on the easiest setting - I've been playing RTS for over a decade (my first one was Dune 2) and I found I could play through the missions almost in my sleep. On the easiest, the campaing shouldn't be too hard for for a total beginner.

On online play, the netsite Teamliquid.net is a great staarcraft 1 and 2 resource. There are beginners guides, as well as advanced strategy and build-order discussions and tips there. They also link to a whole bunch of live streams of people playing the game online.

But most important, if you plan to get to the top levels of online play is to learn all races along with their strategies, to learn a few good basic build-orders (highly optimized early-game solutions that tell you what to build and when) and practice them down to the second, and finally learn to improvise and respond based on what your opponent does.

Just one rule of thumb: If you are accumulating resources and you do not have a clear upgrade etc you are saving for, then it means you are not spending fast enough - that means your upgrades are lagging behind, your army size is less than what it could be etc. Resources gathered are only good if you spend them and as a counterpoint if you constantly find yourself lacking resources then you are not gathering them fast enough.

 

[Zacharine]

Starcraft 2 is really good at bringing the player up-to-speed on commands and unit types. It's really easy to get into.

As for what campaign you choose, you've got the offensive/defensive correct. Just choose accordingly.

So it should just come naturally to me? And what kind of APM should I get up to in order to be able to win at least half of my games, I know when I first start out I'm going to be terrible, but after a while I would like to actually win some games lol.

I personally have beaten several 150+ APM players with my own 60+ APM.

It's not about spamming orders, it's about getting all you need done. If you play wiser and more precisely, the less you need to do. That said, the competitive players in the scene all have 200+ APM when required, but these are the guys who practice the game 6-8h a day minimum.

 

[EcHoFiiVe]

The single player is fairly easy on the easiest setting - I've been playing RTS for over a decade (my first one was Dune 2) and I found I could play through the missions almost in my sleep. On the easiest, the campaing shouldn't be too hard for for a total beginner.

On online play, the netsite Teamliquid.net is a great staarcraft 1 and 2 resource. There are beginners guides, as well as advanced strategy and build-order discussions and tips there. They also link to a whole bunch of live streams of people playing the game online.

But most important, if you plan to get to the top levels of online play is to learn all races along with their strategies, to learn a few good basic build-orders (highly optimized early-game solutions that tell you what to build and when) and practice them down to the second, and finally learn to improvise and respond based on what your opponent does.

Just one rule of thumb: If you are accumulating resources and you do not have a clear upgrade etc you are saving for, then it means you are not spending fast enough - that means your upgrades are lagging behind, your army size is less than what it could be etc. Resources gathered are only good if you spend them and as a counterpoint if you constantly find yourself lacking resources then you are not gathering them fast enough.

I'll probably do the single player just because I see no reason to kick my own ass by getting matched up with some beast at the game, when I don't even know how to play. I don't know what that last part means entirely, but I'm sure it'll make perfect sense when I start playing the game. Thanks for the advice good sir.

 

[Legion IV]

Starcraft 2 is really good at bringing the player up-to-speed on commands and unit types. It's really easy to get into.

As for what campaign you choose, you've got the offensive/defensive correct. Just choose accordingly.

So it should just come naturally to me? And what kind of APM should I get up to in order to be able to win at least half of my games, I know when I first start out I'm going to be terrible, but after a while I would like to actually win some games lol.

Seasoned Starcraft player here.

You really cant controll your apm like the way you put it. Your apm should be as fast as you can handle. once it becomes so fast you dont know what your doing its a problem. Myn is around 100+ but i've seen great players with 40-50 apm in diiamond league.

I guess my biggest advice to anyone new to starcraft is. Economics. Or in Starcraft terms "Macro" I play zerg so am always expanding. Just never stay on one base always expand when you can. Also the most valuable advice i learned 10 years ago. "The best time to expand is when your attacking" or "Theres no point in doing drops if they only have 2 bases" Protoss sounds like a good race for you. Please dont fall into traps of just doing cheese like viodrays or cannon rushes, they only damage you as a player.

 

[EcHoFiiVe]

Starcraft 2 is really good at bringing the player up-to-speed on commands and unit types. It's really easy to get into.

As for what campaign you choose, you've got the offensive/defensive correct. Just choose accordingly.

So it should just come naturally to me? And what kind of APM should I get up to in order to be able to win at least half of my games, I know when I first start out I'm going to be terrible, but after a while I would like to actually win some games lol.

I personally have beaten several 150+ APM players with my own 60+ APM.

It's not about spamming orders, it's about getting all you need done. If you play wiser and more precisely, the less you need to do. That said, the competitive players in the scene all have 200+ APM when required, but these are the guys who practice the game 6-8h a day minimum.

Yeah I'm not planning on getting really really good at the game, mostly because I don't play games on the computer all that much. I'm getting the game as a fun thing to do when I'm too lazy to hop on the PS3 lol. But yeah I would still like to be able to win the games I play, so I'll work on my APM. But I'm sure that just comes with more game experience.

 

[EcHoFiiVe]

Just to clarify, "macro" is like expansion and stuff like that, while "cheese" is like creating a big enough force at the beginning to just wipe out what little your opponent has constructed at that point right?

 

[Molander]

Starcraft 2 is way harsh if you start with the Online part. But basic is as SakSak said use resources gather them quick, and if you have much resources you're not spending them well enough.

Small advices as Protoss, learn to use the Powerfield and the strength of your troops to the maximum.

Protoss do get outnumbered!

In order to MAX the Output from the mineral fields and Vespene Geysers 3 Workers Per Field/Geyser.

Cannons don't require population so if you have minerals over use them.

As a protoss player, maximize control of your units and expext the other player to try to lay pressure on you since protoss with a big/balanced army is nearly unstoppable.

Just some advices happy Playing Starcraft 2 =)

 

[Legion IV]

The single player is fairly easy on the easiest setting - I've been playing RTS for over a decade (my first one was Dune 2) and I found I could play through the missions almost in my sleep. On the easiest, the campaing shouldn't be too hard for for a total beginner.

On online play, the netsite Teamliquid.net is a great staarcraft 1 and 2 resource. There are beginners guides, as well as advanced strategy and build-order discussions and tips there. They also link to a whole bunch of live streams of people playing the game online.

But most important, if you plan to get to the top levels of online play is to learn all races along with their strategies, to learn a few good basic build-orders (highly optimized early-game solutions that tell you what to build and when) and practice them down to the second, and finally learn to improvise and respond based on what your opponent does.

Just one rule of thumb: If you are accumulating resources and you do not have a clear upgrade etc you are saving for, then it means you are not spending fast enough - that means your upgrades are lagging behind, your army size is less than what it could be etc. Resources gathered are only good if you spend them and as a counterpoint if you constantly find yourself lacking resources then you are not gathering them fast enough.

I agree but i must say a few things. Back in sc1 in like 99 i played only zerg i could play the others great but i didnt play them. I still did very well in tournaments. You dont have to play the other races to know there tricks. I'd just talk with my other friends who specilized with another race. Its highley recommended you just stick to one. The games so deep your best choice is to attempt to master one race (that never happens though)

Also not all apm is spam. am 100+ and its not just mindless spam. You move as fast as your needed to. But ya i agree team liquied is AMAZING. Best site ever. Also if your watching youtube i'd aviod watching HDstarcraft and Husky. There entertaining but they dont really give the best information. Subscribe to Nevake or check out day 9. Watch the gsl. those guys are all great.

 

[Legion IV]

Just to clarify, "macro" is like expansion and stuff like that, while "cheese" is like creating a big enough force at the beginning to just wipe out what little your opponent has constructed at that point right?

Macro is Production of units and managing your econmy. Expanding upgrading and spending your money wisely. Ya thats macro.

If your wondering Micro is control over your units.

 

[EcHoFiiVe]

The single player is fairly easy on the easiest setting - I've been playing RTS for over a decade (my first one was Dune 2) and I found I could play through the missions almost in my sleep. On the easiest, the campaing shouldn't be too hard for for a total beginner.

On online play, the netsite Teamliquid.net is a great staarcraft 1 and 2 resource. There are beginners guides, as well as advanced strategy and build-order discussions and tips there. They also link to a whole bunch of live streams of people playing the game online.

But most important, if you plan to get to the top levels of online play is to learn all races along with their strategies, to learn a few good basic build-orders (highly optimized early-game solutions that tell you what to build and when) and practice them down to the second, and finally learn to improvise and respond based on what your opponent does.

Just one rule of thumb: If you are accumulating resources and you do not have a clear upgrade etc you are saving for, then it means you are not spending fast enough - that means your upgrades are lagging behind, your army size is less than what it could be etc. Resources gathered are only good if you spend them and as a counterpoint if you constantly find yourself lacking resources then you are not gathering them fast enough.

I agree but i must say a few things. Back in sc1 in like 99 i played only zerg i could play the others great but i didnt play them. I still did very well in tournaments. You dont have to play the other races to know there tricks. I'd just talk with my other friends who specilized with another race. Its highley recommended you just stick to one. The games so deep your best choice is to attempt to master one race (that never happens though)

Also not all apm is spam. am 100+ and its not just mindless spam. You move as fast as your needed to. But ya i agree team liquied is AMAZING. Best site ever. Also if your watching youtube i'd aviod watching HDstarcraft and Husky. There entertaining but they dont really give the best information. Subscribe to Nevake or check out day 9. Watch the gsl. those guys are all great.

Yeah my two friends who convinced me to get this game actually play Zerg and Terran respectively, so when I do delve into multiplayer I'm sure I'll be playing them in a few friendly games just to get used to playing against another person. This morning I was actually watching HDstarcraft lol. I was looking for IdrA games to watch and that guy came up. And I'll definitely check out that website and youtube channel!

 

[Ashcrexl]

terran is definitely the easiest to play. i dont know about defensive or offensive, but they are the most balanced in terms of cost and power. also, battlecruisers! build tons of battlecruisers! make sure you have allies covering your ass during your battlecruiser accumulation phase though. if you want to be protoss, carriers! maxed out carrier fleet! yeah!

(disregard my advice. i suck at this game.)