EPT
When I looked into my calender I realized that I'm playing SC2 for three and a half weeks again. I don't have the time to mass games as I did around August/September 2010, but I play as much as I can.
The biggest change for me so far is, that I've started playing 1v1, instead of sticking with 3v3 RT. After my placement match (single one) I was put into Silver and started playing more and more games. I try to play as much as I can until I run out of steam (which is around five games in a row, most of the time). So far I did 40 games in the last two weeks, with a record of 17:23.
What made me go for 1v1?
I played 3v3 RT most of the time in season 1. I was in Diamond league at around 900+ and felt pretty confident with my play. But after returning from my 25 week long break I felt a big slump... All my confidence had gone and I realized I was looking at my team mates for mistakes (which screwed the games) instead of looking at my own play. So I took a step back and decided to play more 1v1. I did my placement match and SHAZAM(!!) was in Silver. That showed me my place and I'm very happy about it.
Why do I like being in Silver league?
Honestly, it shows my flaws in thinking. I'm not good at SC2, just because I can win a 3v3 RT and outmacro the other five players. In a 1v1 it's just me and MY mistakes and MY macro, and my map control etc. Now that I play more and more 1v1 I see the big flaws in my play and especially my macro and decision making. It's hard to lose a lot, but I gladly take it, because from most of my losses I learn something.
What did I learn so far?
Well, I took some notes after some significant/stupid/unexpected losses and after watching TSL3 games or Day[9] Dailies. Here is what I wrote down:
1) If I get cannon rushed, delay him and build a Forge of my own to ward him off.
2) PvT: vs MMM upgrade Armor first (with a quick forge after expanding). That's something I learned from watching the TSL3 Ro32/16.
3) Harass: If you pick out workers in your opponents base, aim for the gas workers. (Got that from a Day[9] Daily)
4) You can get 2:2 in upgrades on two bases, with only Gateway units (actually Adelscott did that against QXC).
5) Push to protect a new expansion.
6) Push Timing: Whenever a critical upgrade finishes, push.
7) Don't be aggressive in PvT if you attack up a ramp, just contain him and reenforce. (That one was a really hard lesson I had to learn
)8) Don't attack without a chance (i.e. a lot of Siege Tanks wait for you. No!!! No!!! No!!) [That one was my dumbest mistake so far, running my whole force into unsieged tanks just to see them siege while his Marauder meatshield defends...
As you can see I have a lot to learn, I mean A LOT. I do so many mistakes that it sometimes really hurts to watch my replays, but it's paying off eventually.
What about 3v3 RT?
When I've done about five 1v1 ladder games I go for one to three 3v3 RT games. I realized that my game in 3v3 has improved a lot. Especially macro and positioning. Also base timing. It's just wow! I mean, I only spent 40 games in 1v1 and it already helps my other game.
A note on my builds.
Well I wrote here that I stole a build using Day[9]'s method. I decided to steal a 2 gate robo into Expand build, which is followed up by two starport phoenix (in the replay). BUT in ladder games against Terran I never use the two starport transition. I was fiddling around with 2 robo immortals or Robobay Colossus. I just can't find my build... Well ok, until today. I decided to really go for macro and learn that properly first, so I will go 2 gate robo Expand into Blink Stalkers and try to outmacro my opponent.
What's up next?
CecilSunkure strongly recommended to have a fixed goal, so I made up my mind. I'm currently a Silver league player, so my goal will be as follows:
I want to be promoted to Gold league AND I want to win 25 games on the way to get the Stalker portrait (sorry, I love getting new portraits ), AND I want to play all the games using a stolen build order (see above), WHICH I learn using day[9]'s method!
That was the goal I took for myself and I will stick to it. I still want to be promoted, but I now know it will take a LOT of time, because I barely win in Silver league and I have so many leaks in my play. But I will keep on playing and trying to improve. Therefore I decided on a new intermediate goal:I want to be promoted to Gold league AND I want to win 25 games on the way to get the Stalker portrait (sorry, I love getting new portraits ), AND I want to play all the games using a stolen build order (see above), WHICH I learn using day[9]'s method!
I want to reach the top 8 in my league and have a record of 50% W/L or better. Therefore I will refine my two builds (4 gate and 2 gate robo expand) to know them better than now and learn a third build (will be a PvZ build) to extend the variety.
I will close my long ramble here and continue playing. I now know that I have to do three things
1) Play ladder games.
2) Watch replays and learn from my mistakes.
3) Play the AI to further refine my build orders.
[optional] 4) Keep on watching Day[9] Dailies and TSL3 VODs.
Best regards
ionize
