Starcraft 2 tips?

[clippen05]

So I just purchased SC2 as it was on sale for $20 in preparation for the expansion. The main reason I bought it would be for the multiplayer. (I'm also going to play the campaign, but I'm not a fan of VSing the AI) So in hopes that I can stand a chance in one of the most competitive games ever, I was wondering if anyone can offer some advice to a newbie like me? I'm not a noob to the RTS genre, I also play Age of Empires III and Company of Heroes, but both those games are very different from SC2. I know a little bit, as I watch HuskyStarcraft from time to time, but it won't be nearly enough to be competent at the game. Any help escapists? For the record, I plan on playing Terran, please don't try to change my mind.

 

[Qitz]

Build a supply depot, barracks and the barracks tech at the front of your ramp if your facing zergs, they'll rush you all the time, or try to, and that's the best way to keep their asses out. Same goes for Cannon Rushing Protoss scum.

That said, cheesing the shit out of the enemy is a COMPLETELY legit strategy. Get used to doing it and fending it off.

Research Siege Mode anytime you plan on building tanks. You don't need to in HotS but for WoL you will. Don't know if they'll change it in a patch but if not get it right away when tanks roll out.

The only other thing from that is learn what you units get bonus damage against and use it.

 

[Vault101]

is it me or is playing custom games in offline mode waay to easy?

I probably should out the difficulty up

 

[Zeh Don]

1. Play Terran. If you're not playing Terran, you're playing wrong.
2. Learn their Race-specific early rushes and all-ins.
3. After point 2., you'll hit med-level diamond with minimal effort.
4. That's it. You're now "good" at Starcraft II. Yes, I'm being completely serious.

 

[Auron]

look up Teamliquid, their wiki will be most enlightening the forum is also pretty good. It's the best place to learn and read, if you would like some instructive videos instead of endless walls of text I suggest http://www.youtube.com/user/day9tv and http://www.youtube.com/user/dignitasApollo



PS - you'll likely place in a lower league at first which will allow you to develop your skills as you go pretty gently, the system will not match you with people who'll steamroll you, not after the placement matches at least.

 

[skywolfblue]

Play through the "challenges" at least once. They're basically a kind of bare-bones intro to some helpful things to know in PvP.

Also watch Day9. Specifically "Newbie Tuesdays". His video's are extremely helpful, and he goes to great lengths to explain "WHY" you should or shouldn't do this or that.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

So I just purchased SC2 as it was on sale for $20 in preparation for the expansion. The main reason I bought it would be for the multiplayer. (I'm also going to play the campaign, but I'm not a fan of VSing the AI) So in hopes that I can stand a chance in one of the most competitive games ever, I was wondering if anyone can offer some advice to a newbie like me? I'm not a noob to the RTS genre, I also play Age of Empires III and Company of Heroes, but both those games are very different from SC2. I know a little bit, as I watch HuskyStarcraft from time to time, but it won't be nearly enough to be competent at the game. Any help escapists? For the record, I plan on playing Terran, please don't try to change my mind.

If you're watching replays there's not a lot of basic, low level information anyone can impart to you. You probably already have a grasp of most of the fundamentals. I guess we could run down a few things...

1. Be pro-active. Try to keep your opponent reacting to you, rather than the other way around. You can very easily end up on the ropes all game if you let your opponent set the pace. Resist the urge to turtle up in response to pressure.
2. Don't worry about the early scout if you're a new player. You're going to have your hands full anyway, and you likely wouldn't know what to do with the information you gathered even if you scouted successfully. Work on establishing a solid build order, on getting your first expansion up, and on getting some forces on to the field.
3. Have a backup plan. Don't get locked into a single troop makeup, even if you're doing well with it. Have the infrastructure in place to smoothly change gears when necessary.
4. Macro, macro, macro. Macro is where most low level players will lose the game. It's awesome to watch a pro stutter-step their marines all over the place and obliterate someone with high level micro, but if you're microing your ass off while forgetting to expand and replace lost troops you are going to lose the game.

I'm likely getting HOTS myself, so if you want a sparring partner after it launches give me a shout. I haven't played in a couple of years so I'm going to be absolute rubbish.

PS - you'll likely place in a lower league at first which will allow you to develop your skills as you go pretty gently, the system will not match you with people who'll steamroll you, not after the placement matches at least.

I don't know...the matchmaker can be a tad...whimsical. Generally speaking it will feed you 50/50 wins/losses, but in some unusual streaks. I remember playing silver level 2v2 with a friend and we were getting fed platinum/diamond 2v2 pairings out of the blue, long after placement.

 

[Bostur]

This in an old video for a simple opener that generally works well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQe6UqvCOT4

In the video it is used for an early rush which is often worthwhile, but it doesn't put you at a disadvantage if you choose to hold back and expand instead.
An early rush is very often a good idea though. Even if you can't kill your opponent outright, you will get useful scouting information, get used to being active, and you can force your opponent on the defense. But don't assault against superior forces. It's better to poke a bit and pull back if the assault doesn't work out.

3 barracks, 1 factory, 1 starport is generally a solid Terran opening that can be varied to suit the circumstances. After establishing an expansion you would want to build more production facilities, either more barracks and/or an extra starport or factory.

The reason to go quickly to starport is to get medivacs to support your marines, for the healing and the potential marine drops it allows you. Having a tank or two can also make it very easy to defend against aggression.

For scouting I agree with guppy that it's usually not worth it for a new player to spend much time scouting, but if you play on a 4 player map with more than 2 base location you do need to use an SCV to spot where the opponent's base is. Then you can use scanner sweeps to scout after that. Even on a 2 player map it can be worthwhile to send an scv towards the opponent to spot potential cheese. If the opponent doesn't have a base, or have no production facilities something weird is probably going on like some kind of proxy play. Having a few seconds warning can help a lot in those circumstances.

It can help to practice the build order against the AI. You can practice your building order, and practice advancing with units while keeping your production going. These are very handy skills to master and if you do you will do well in Bronze league. There are also some training scenarios designed to defend against rushes, another skill that can prove very handy in low level league play.