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Get started with SC2 - how?

Blogs > RobJ
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RobJ
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Belgium38 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-22 13:06:53
April 22 2011 13:06 GMT
#1
Hi guys,
I've finnaly decided to start playing SC2, as I watched recently a lot of streams (DH,Copenhagen, Gagdet show) and I think I start to like the game more and more. Althought I had almost 0% RTS background.

But I've no clue how to start with it, i've not bought the game yet, but I already have a goal : Try to become the best in my country (Belgium) and Benelux (Belgium - Netherlands) if possible. Also the race Zerg looks really cool tbh.

I currently have a laptop with following specs :
Acer Aspire 7520g
3 GB DDR2
Amd Turion 64 X2 2.1ghz
Nvidia geforce 8600m GS

Is this good enough for SC2? (I've tried the game once and it ran smoothly I think on low settings), also got a seperate cooler for my laptop.

Do you really need an external keyboard? I'm quite used to this laptop and I don't think I have lots of space on my desk (or I have to sit on a very strange way).

And for last, what kind of tips do you guys can give to me? Any tournament websites ,... (I've also been thinking to go back to the gym)

Greets,
Rob

HI
DocNemesis
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
Philippines446 Posts
April 22 2011 13:21 GMT
#2
Hiya.

Regarding your specs, I must say they look damn good enough to run SC2, though just to make sure, you might check out System Requirements Lab.

Like you, I play SC2 on a laptop and imo they aren't ideal for hotkeys. Each button looks and feels the same when I am trying to punch a hotkey.

Zerg is from what I heard emphasizes more on the micromanagement. I never started out with Zerg because I wasn't that good with it, I was more of a Terran kinda guy anyway.

If you are starting out, what better way to help you out than Day 9 Dailies. He streams on a daily basis on Team Liquid via Justin tv or you can always search for him via his YT channel or his most recent videos through Blip. Look for Newbie Tuesdays!

If you want a piece of advice, don't waste 50 games on practice leagues. If you want practice, there is always custom games which are unranked.

Here to kick ass....with Violence. And I got a blog site: http://nemesistrestkon.wordpress.com
Saechiis
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Netherlands4989 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-22 13:27:31
April 22 2011 13:25 GMT
#3
I would make some more realistic goals lol, because you'll probably get disappointed hard in becoming Benelux's best player. Ret is Dutch and one of the best Zergs in the world, Grubby is also on his way to becoming a fantastic Protoss.

Welcome to SC2 though, start reading the Strategy section and Liquipedia: (http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Main_Page) for matchup and build information. Just pick the race you like most, practice a solid build for each matchup and start laddering, exploring and adapting

Zerg is not a micro race btw, it's almost pure responsive macro.
I think esports is pretty nice.
Schwopzi
Profile Joined August 2010
Netherlands954 Posts
April 22 2011 13:26 GMT
#4
Your laptop should be sufficient to run it on low settings, especially with extra cooling.
External keyboard is kinda dependant on how hard you spam I guess, a cheap logitech keyboard is easily replaced whereas your laptop keyboard is a different story.
Teamliquid has links to most tournaments, seeing as you've seen a few of them allready you should have a idea of the different races. From there I'd say play 15-20ish games with the different races to get a feel for the basics & what race you prefer, and then it's all up to you (play for laughs, play to get better etc.). There is a really good guide in the strat section on how to improve at starcraft 2.
Only the dead have seen the end of war
Xiberia
Profile Joined September 2007
Sweden634 Posts
April 22 2011 13:31 GMT
#5
I don't have much experience with laptop hardware but i'd guess your computer will run SC2. You will however likely run into issues in big engagments in longer games with that weak of a CPU. Having a separate keyboard is a big edge if you're ever gonna play in LAN tournaments. They generally let you use your own keyboard and mouse when you play but with a laptop keyboard that's probably not going to be possible which might have an impact on your performance. And as for newbie advice.. just don't take losses too hard. You will likely lose a lot in the beginning no matter what you do. Losing is really the best way to learn how to play this game if you take advantage of it. Look at your losses and ask yourself what went wrong and improve on it. If you can't figure out what went wrong, go back and look at the replay or get a buddy (especially if he's better than you) to do it with you.

Good luck!
RobJ
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Belgium38 Posts
April 22 2011 13:33 GMT
#6
On April 22 2011 22:25 Saechiis wrote:
I would make some more realistic goals lol, because you'll probably get disappointed hard in becoming Benelux's best player. Ret is Dutch and one of the best Zergs in the world, Grubby is also on his way to becoming a fantastic Protoss.

Welcome to SC2 though, start reading the Strategy section and Liquipedia: (http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Main_Page) for matchup and build information. Just pick the race you like most, practice a solid build for each matchup and start laddering, exploring and adapting

Zerg is not a micro race btw, it's almost pure responsive macro.

Belgian best player is also cool
HI
DocNemesis
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
Philippines446 Posts
April 22 2011 16:59 GMT
#7
On April 22 2011 22:25 Saechiis wrote:
I would make some more realistic goals lol, because you'll probably get disappointed hard in becoming Benelux's best player. Ret is Dutch and one of the best Zergs in the world, Grubby is also on his way to becoming a fantastic Protoss.

Welcome to SC2 though, start reading the Strategy section and Liquipedia: (http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Main_Page) for matchup and build information. Just pick the race you like most, practice a solid build for each matchup and start laddering, exploring and adapting

Zerg is not a micro race btw, it's almost pure responsive macro.


Oh yeah, I was gonna say macro. I keep confusing between the two. I think it's the Protoss that are more micro oriented.
Here to kick ass....with Violence. And I got a blog site: http://nemesistrestkon.wordpress.com
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