I put out a blog post quite a long time ago saying that I was going to record my progress through Bronze league. Well, I hit some hard times, and couldn't really update. Starcraft is updating right now, since I reformatted my computer due to a crazy virus. Wednesday this week though, I decided that I was finally going to ladder a bit harder. Well, I played ten games and lo and behold, I was promoted to Silver league. In all of my matchups, I've been going 1/1/1 opening with fast Banshees and transitioning into mass bio with heavy upgrades off of two bases. I take the second when my harassment starts.

What exactly should I expect from Silver and Gold league players? Will there be much of a difference from Bronze?

Torte de Lini

Germany38463 Posts

May 27 2011 20:07 GMT

You should be expecting slightly less cheese and more structured builds. Nothing too significant, but consider other builds since you seem to have mastered your current one.

Dalguno

United States2446 Posts

May 27 2011 20:09 GMT

Expect better pushes earlier. Builds tend to be more efficient.

Firruu

Canada28 Posts

May 27 2011 20:11 GMT

Well, I suppose that's good. I need a bit more of a challenge, since I was kind of just rolling over everyone in Bronze.

Backpack

United States1776 Posts

May 27 2011 20:14 GMT

To be honest, Bronze/silver/gold leagues are all one big melting pot of skill levels. The way the promotion system works, people usually end up in the wrong league down there for a long time before they get sorted correctly.

Destro

Netherlands1206 Posts

May 27 2011 20:20 GMT

dont cheese until diamond +

you arent doing yourself any favors.

StrangrDangr

United States291 Posts

May 27 2011 20:23 GMT

If your trek through silver and gold turn out to be anything like mine then their is probobly going to be a large differance in skill levels between each match. Many people play at the level you faced in Bronze, while others may have some idea of proper builds that have a strong push. The main problem is that so many people in those leagues are of the skill level to be in a higher league but just havn't played enough games to get to the correct league yet. I would imagine that the majority of your opponents will be just slightly stronger than the Bronze leaguers you faced, while some will be stronger still and others will make you question how they managed to make it out of Bronze.

TheGiz

Canada708 Posts

May 27 2011 20:29 GMT

On May 28 2011 05:06 Firruu wrote:
What exactly should I expect from Silver and Gold league players? Will there be much of a difference from Bronze?

I did all my learning in 1v1s and all my practice in Co-op games (pure refinement, that is). I play a lot of 4s now and I see a lot of players who are Bronze or no-league 1v1. The gaps in knowledge, skill, and timing between Bronze and Platinum is massive. You can always tell when someone is bad just by looking at their base and seeing what they have at a certain time. Sometimes those people come through, but more often than not they don't.

Where shall I start? Higher leagues just means better cheesers. In games where you don't get cheesed you're going to be playing bad macro vs. bad macro and if you're learning anything at all you'll out-bad-macro him for the win every time.

Most decent players in these leagues will have a specific build that almost everyone will follow. Learn to beat the most common builds and you'll advance pretty quickly. I learned certain things that helped me. Here are a few samples:
- PvP is just War of the Worlds: 4gate and win or out-Colossus and out-upgrade the other guy.
- All Terrans go for the 3rax Stim push: Stop it to draw the game out and win most of the time.
- Just Fucking Kill Him: If you scout a player going for fancy shit like Banshees, quick expansions, Void Rays, Mutalisks, etc. the easiest way to beat them is not to prepare for those units but army up and outright destroy them before it is even possible.

Firruu

Canada28 Posts

May 27 2011 20:34 GMT

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

mole

44 Posts

May 27 2011 20:37 GMT

#10

From playing in Bronze/Silver/Gold/Plat as Random in EU :
Bronze, nothing much, rarely expand unless main is mined out.
Silver, Alot of one unit massing (Mass Lings, Mass Marines), barely expanding.
Gold, More builds and unit compositions that makes sense. Expands around 8-9min
Plat, Have basically only hit Terrans since I got here so... Tanks, tanks everywhere.

This is my own experience, I would suggest you to start trying to control the map/scout more and more in your games if you aren't already it will help the further you go on the ladder.

also, Gratz on being promoted

StrangrDangr

United States291 Posts

May 27 2011 23:54 GMT

#11

- Just Fucking Kill Him: If you scout a player going for fancy shit like Banshees, quick expansions, Void Rays, Mutalisks, etc. the easiest way to beat them is not to prepare for those units but army up and outright destroy them before it is even possible.
Last edit: 2011-05-28 05:32:38

Very important concept, while in silver I think twice cloaked banshees hit before I had observers, but by A-moving my army to their base it resulted in wins.

Basically at this level few of your opponents will be able to do something fancy and macro at the same time. So anytime you get dropped or harrased, even if it does considerable damage don't worry too much because they are likely falling behind as well.