Hey guys, just piping in here with a weird observation I made. When I put on headphones and play SC2, my APM increases significantly. I think it's because I get less feedback from the mouse and keyboard (i.e. I don't hear the sound), which might psychologically make me more inclined to go faster since the actions feel "lighter". I don't know if I really explained that well, but meh.

Has anyone else noticed this? I'd like to get your thoughts on what could be a weird trick to train APM.

By the way I use in-ear headphones which significantly cancel ambient noise.

Djagulingu

Germany3605 Posts

August 03 2011 12:45 GMT

Yes, after I started using my ipod earphones with my laptop, my apm got from 60 to 100-110 at first. I currently play at 140ish. That's why I want to switch into headphones that cover ears completely.

Well, this is BW but earphones probably have the same effect in SC2. My SC2 apm never got above 70-80.

Madera

Sweden2672 Posts

August 03 2011 12:47 GMT

It's the same for me when I have headphones on and playing music. I like to spam a lot more when I can't hear the keys on my keyboard. It's mechanical so it's pretty high-pitched.

101toss

3232 Posts

August 03 2011 12:52 GMT

With bw Terran music, I have noticed a 20+ increase in apm, no joke

mansa

Philippines336 Posts

August 03 2011 12:59 GMT

:/ Actually I have raised APM when I can't hear anything but my mouse and keyboard it increases it by 80+.....

Br3ezy

United States720 Posts

August 03 2011 13:24 GMT

Its all in your head

Finland151 Posts

August 03 2011 13:46 GMT

wtf

Altair

243 Posts

August 03 2011 14:06 GMT

This is funny. Headphones increased your APM?

You should read this thread: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=122917

Severedevil

United States4835 Posts

August 03 2011 14:12 GMT

Absolutely. I find I have a much stronger mental connection to in-game events while wearing headphones.

XXGeneration

United States625 Posts

August 03 2011 14:29 GMT

#10

Maybe I should try this; I need an apm boost lol

snotboogie

Australia3550 Posts

August 03 2011 14:30 GMT

#11

On August 03 2011 23:06 Altair wrote:
This is funny. Headphones increased your APM?

You should read this thread: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=122917

I think you should check YOUR critical thinking. The effect is definitely there for me, and I believe it has to do with divorcing the mind from the outside environment and the auditory feedback from the input, making input faster or increasing focus.

Alejandrisha

United States6565 Posts

August 03 2011 14:50 GMT

#12

Same with me. Not sure if it's because of focus or because you can't hear your clicks/keys. But definitely there

Rotodyne

United States2263 Posts

August 03 2011 15:02 GMT

#13

Not sure about APM, but overall focus increases A LOT when using headphones rather than playing in silence. And Altair, that post makes me want to hit my head with a hammer.

Severedevil

United States4835 Posts

August 03 2011 15:29 GMT

#14

On August 03 2011 23:06 Altair wrote:
This is funny. Headphones increased your APM?

You should read this thread: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=122917

Lucky underwear could also boost your APM since so much relies on your state of mind.

oxidized

United States324 Posts

August 03 2011 16:00 GMT

#15

My APM boosts by about 20% if someone is watching over my shoulder. Unfortunately, it rarely translates to better play

Sotamursu

Finland612 Posts

August 03 2011 16:00 GMT

#16

I feel that my APM is faster and I can focus better while listening to electronic music. It creates a great rhytm for the whole game. I can imagine the headphones doing something similar.

Btw OP you should consider getting a mechanical keyboard, the keys are so much lighter and pressing buttons feels way faster.

Nairul

United States262 Posts

August 03 2011 16:55 GMT

#17

Yes, when listening to music I feel my sense of touch is numbed. Spamming the keyboard feels easier.

Firesilver

United Kingdom1190 Posts

August 03 2011 16:56 GMT

#18

Interesting, I'm using noise-cancelling headphones and I noticed something similar when I first started using them.

Cambium

United States16368 Posts

August 03 2011 18:09 GMT

#19

I don't know about headphones, but I play (BW) a lot faster (10-15%) when I play with sound, but slower if I play with music.

I think it has more to do with focus, than the magical properties of the sounds you are hearing...

Probe1

United States17920 Posts

August 03 2011 18:10 GMT

#20

I rub cheetah blood on my wrists. It's the blood of champions.

xarthaz

1704 Posts

August 03 2011 18:20 GMT

#21

with sound speed in mind, reaction time can be improved by ~3-10ms with headset, allowing for faster APM pipelining

Tyrotoxism

19 Posts

August 03 2011 18:28 GMT

#22

Yeah I found the same thing, i hate hearing the sound of my keyboard and mouse but it makes me misclick things more than make any APM difference. If I move the keyboard slightly off the left edge of the desk and I get a huge APM boost though (250 -> 300+). Also if my gf stfu on msn that helps too.

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