• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 17:02
CET 23:02
KST 07:02
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners12Intel X Team Liquid Seoul event: Showmatches and Meet the Pros10
Community News
BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced6[BSL21] Ro.16 Group Stage (C->B->A->D)4Weekly Cups (Nov 17-23): Solar, MaxPax, Clem win3RSL Season 3: RO16 results & RO8 bracket13Weekly Cups (Nov 10-16): Reynor, Solar lead Zerg surge2
StarCraft 2
General
SC: Evo Complete - Ranked Ladder OPEN ALPHA BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced When will we find out if there are more tournament Weekly Cups (Nov 17-23): Solar, MaxPax, Clem win Weekly Cups (Nov 10-16): Reynor, Solar lead Zerg surge
Tourneys
Constellation Cup - Main Event - Stellar Fest Tenacious Turtle Tussle [Alpha Pro Series] Nice vs Cure RSL Revival: Season 3 $5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 501 Price of Progress Mutation # 500 Fright night Mutation # 499 Chilling Adaptation Mutation # 498 Wheel of Misfortune|Cradle of Death
Brood War
General
Which season is the best in ASL? A cwal.gg Extension - Easily keep track of anyone BW General Discussion soO on: FanTaSy's Potential Return to StarCraft BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues Small VOD Thread 2.0 [BSL21] RO16 Tie Breaker - Group B - Sun 21:00 CET [BSL21] GosuLeague T1 Ro16 - Tue & Thu 22:00 CET
Strategy
Game Theory for Starcraft How to stay on top of macro? Current Meta PvZ map balance
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread The Perfect Game Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Beyond All Reason Should offensive tower rushing be viable in RTS games?
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Artificial Intelligence Thread YouTube Thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion NBA General Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023 TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Where to ask questions and add stream? The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Esports Earnings: Bigger Pri…
TrAiDoS
Thanks for the RSL
Hildegard
Saturation point
Uldridge
DnB/metal remix FFO Mick Go…
ImbaTosS
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1295 users

Late to the sc2 party, Where to start?

Blogs > Roija
Post a Reply
Roija
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States84 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-22 02:12:18
September 22 2011 02:11 GMT
#1
Dear TL.net,
SC2 noob here, I have been waiting to play sc2 since beta but couldn't afford a decent computer, I purchased sc2 today and am receiving a new gaming computer tomorrow. I was wondering where to start.
I played some games during beta and watched a few pro matches such as TSL3, but i am not sure where to start out with the game.
I'm sure i will be playing protoss, and was wondering if i should start with some replays or just learn by getting my ass handed to me a few dozen times? I played BW in iccup a couple years ago so im not a complete noob.
If anyone can recommend me websites for replays or good learning vods such as day9 dailys for new players and any advice on how to improve quickly it will be greatly appreciated.

P.S. i will keep the blog updated on my progress

*****
blabber
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States4448 Posts
September 22 2011 02:25 GMT
#2
first thing I did when I got the beta on day one was start a ladder match. you have experience in RTS so you don't need time to get yourself used to the UI so just play and learn.
blabberrrrr
cive
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Canada370 Posts
September 22 2011 02:26 GMT
#3
Welcome to SC2 and Good Luck!

Protoss is a fun race to play. Just based on what you saw on TSL3 and what you know from SC1 (forge expand vZ, etc.) should be enough IMO. I honestly think watching replays at this stage will not help you much because you just won't know how it feels to face certain strategies. You wouldn't know how to tweak a 3 gate or 1 gate robo depending on your observation.
Play Terran
Fishgle
Profile Blog Joined May 2011
United States2174 Posts
September 22 2011 03:06 GMT
#4
First get used to the hotkeys and units. After that, play 5 games on ladder, lose badly, and get placed in bronze. Afterwards, come back here to TL, go to the liquipedia, and learn a few basic builds for each matchup. 4gate, 3gate Expo, FFE, 2gateRobo i think covers the basics.

Unlike the other races, protoss is much less about macro, but more about tech timings. Refine macro, get into gold at least. After that, come here for more advice. Search function is your friend.

Look up some good protoss replays once you think you've got the basics. I suggest Huk, HerO, MaNa, WhiteRa. WhiteRa especially due to his low apm.

Also try not to rage. No one likes it when people balance whine.


But most importantly,

GL HF GGs ♥
aka ChillyGonzalo / GnozL
Demonhunter04
Profile Joined July 2011
1530 Posts
September 22 2011 03:22 GMT
#5
You can play practice league until you feel comfortable playing, then skip the rest.
"If you don't drop sweat today, you will drop tears tomorrow" - SlayerSMMA
Fishgle
Profile Blog Joined May 2011
United States2174 Posts
September 22 2011 03:38 GMT
#6
On September 22 2011 12:22 Demonhunter04 wrote:
You can play practice league until you feel comfortable playing, then skip the rest.


Noooo don't do practice league. (it still has those awful rocks, doesn't it?)

Just play customs or vs Ai first. Skip Practice League entirely.
aka ChillyGonzalo / GnozL
rebuffering
Profile Joined December 2010
Canada2436 Posts
September 22 2011 03:40 GMT
#7
hotkeys hotkeys hotkeys!! you can play in the practice league as someone as pointed out, you can also hop onto custom games, but mainly, start memorizing what keys you need to make probes/pylons/cyber core, etc, to me, that is a good 1st step. Also, the campaign does do a good job teaching you the basics, or should i say, re-teaching you, as you obviously have some experience with RTS games in general, i just hope you dont turn into a filthy terran! lol
http://www.twitch.tv/rebufferingg
Azzur
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Australia6260 Posts
September 22 2011 03:41 GMT
#8
Play against Very Hard AI - the computer doesn't cheat (unlike Insane), and if you can beat it regularly, it will give you good practice getting your macro mechanics in order.
Roija
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States84 Posts
September 23 2011 23:49 GMT
#9
Thanks for all the tips guys. I somehow won all my placement matches and got into diamond!
The White-Ra reps were useful in learning a couple builds. im slowly learning the basics but i feel i am making good progress for my first day.
if anyone wants to practice or throw me some tips let me know.
Ulfsark
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States958 Posts
September 24 2011 00:42 GMT
#10
First place to start once you learn the basics is find some buddies to practice with. Laddering can be stressful so it is great and stress free practice to play with friends.

Also, I know you probably wanna get gosu quick, but don't forget to enjoy the game. Nobody who starts playing wants to be told that making only phoenix will never win them any games and that its a terribly strategy.
They want to have fun and experiment with the units.

So my advice to you, is to have fun first and foremost.

GL!

pm me on NA if you have any questions about playing protoss, I know a few simple builds in all matchups.
RevUlfsark.627
gg wp
infinity2k9
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United Kingdom2397 Posts
September 24 2011 09:19 GMT
#11
If you played on ICCUP you will have no problems at all. Just jump in i wouldn't bother with any resources, assuming you've not lost all mechanical skill from BW you'll do fine and work it out quickly.
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
The PiG Daily
20:15
Best Games of SC
Clem vs Solar
Solar vs herO
herO vs ByuN
Reynor vs Nicoract
Clem vs herO
Solar vs MaxPax
PiGStarcraft482
LiquipediaDiscussion
LAN Event
18:00
LANified! 37: Groundswell
Discussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
PiGStarcraft482
mouzHeroMarine 477
White-Ra 260
JuggernautJason68
Vindicta 26
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 3523
Rain 1810
Hyun 171
Bonyth 123
NaDa 16
IntoTheRainbow 9
Dota 2
syndereN237
League of Legends
rGuardiaN57
Counter-Strike
byalli6161
Super Smash Bros
C9.Mang0210
Mew2King56
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu481
Other Games
Grubby5864
FrodaN2706
fl0m637
Beastyqt596
Lowko270
Sick175
ArmadaUGS130
ZombieGrub45
nookyyy 43
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream164
Other Games
BasetradeTV94
StarCraft 2
angryscii 38
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 20 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 40
• HeavenSC 28
• davetesta17
• Kozan
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• sooper7s
• intothetv
• Migwel
• IndyKCrew
StarCraft: Brood War
• FirePhoenix22
• mYiSmile14
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota21002
• Ler102
League of Legends
• HappyZerGling123
Other Games
• imaqtpie1335
• Shiphtur326
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
58m
Replay Cast
10h 58m
WardiTV Korean Royale
13h 58m
OSC
18h 58m
Sparkling Tuna Cup
1d 11h
WardiTV Korean Royale
1d 13h
Replay Cast
2 days
Wardi Open
2 days
Monday Night Weeklies
2 days
StarCraft2.fi
2 days
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
3 days
Wardi Open
3 days
StarCraft2.fi
3 days
PiGosaur Monday
4 days
Wardi Open
4 days
StarCraft2.fi
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
The PondCast
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

SOOP Univ League 2025
RSL Revival: Season 3
Eternal Conflict S1

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
YSL S2
BSL Season 21
CSCL: Masked Kings S3
Slon Tour Season 2
META Madness #9
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2

Upcoming

BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
RSL Offline Finals
WardiTV 2025
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026: Closed Qualifier
eXTREMESLAND 2025
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.