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Terran Exceptionalism

Blogs > MichaelJLowell
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MichaelJLowell
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
United States610 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-10-03 08:53:38
October 03 2011 08:50 GMT
#1
TERRAN EXCEPTIONALISM


Terran exceptionalism refers to the theory that the Terrans are quantitatively different from other races. In this view, Terran's exceptionalism stems from its emergence in StarCraft II, becoming "the most awesome race"[1] and "developing a uniquely micromanagement philosophy, based on Marines, Hellions, Tanks, Banshees, and Vikings". This observation can be traced to Artosis, the first player to describe the Terrans as "exceptionally imbalanced" in 2003.[2] Professional StarCraft II Terran player MVP has argued, "Our beliefs in micro, macro, strategy, tactics, and the well-being of our Marines came out of the beta test. So too did our idea that we Terrans are a special people with a special destiny to lead the world toward liberty and democracy."[3]

The specific term "Terran exceptionalism" was first used in 2004 by former Terran player ElkY while chastising members of Clan Dragon Ball Z Fan Club for believing that Terrans were bound to the Blizzard laws of game balance "due to the fact blizzard wants a balancd game and they dont want terran to be more powerful then the other races omfg why cant you see this".[4]

Although the term does not necessarily imply superiority, many Zerg and Protoss players have promoted its use in that sense.[1][5][6] To them, the Terrans are like the biblical story of David vs. Goliath (except Goliath wins) and are immune to the micromanagement forces and skilled players that have conquered inferior races.[7]

Since the launch of StarCraft II in 2010, "Bronze League scholars" have rejected Terran exceptionalism, arguing that "6-Pool is the strongest strategy in the game" and "you have to block off the ramp before the ling's come through good luck lol". Furthermore, they saw every race as subscribing to some form of exceptionalism, depending on which race these scholars had just lost to on the StarCraft II ladder.[8]

See Also

- List of Overpowered Units (Redirects to "List of Terran Units")
- 2011 Global StarCraft II League August
- Infernal Pre-Igniter
- List of June 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of July 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of August 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of September 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints


****
http://www.learntocounter.com - I'm a "known troll" so please disconnect your kid's computer when I am on the forums.
Heyoka
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Katowice25012 Posts
October 03 2011 08:57 GMT
#2
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.
@RealHeyoka | ESL / DreamHack StarCraft Lead
Jinsho
Profile Joined March 2011
United Kingdom3101 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-10-03 08:59:13
October 03 2011 08:58 GMT
#3
TERRAN PRIDE
WORLD WIDE

+ Show Spoiler +
not actually a T player
MichaelJLowell
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
United States610 Posts
October 03 2011 09:03 GMT
#4
On October 03 2011 17:57 heyoka wrote:
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.

I can promise you that this information comes from some of the most reputable web sites that were once hosted on GeoCities. You have my word.
http://www.learntocounter.com - I'm a "known troll" so please disconnect your kid's computer when I am on the forums.
Azzur
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Australia6267 Posts
October 03 2011 09:13 GMT
#5
I fully agree! Terran is the best race!
251
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States1401 Posts
October 03 2011 09:31 GMT
#6
Great job!

"This observation can be traced to Artosis, the first player to describe the Terrans as "exceptionally imbalanced" in 2003." <-- sick
"If you can chill..........then chill."
BookTwo
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
1985 Posts
October 03 2011 09:46 GMT
#7
On October 03 2011 17:57 heyoka wrote:
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.


errr.... counter counter feint? teamliquid always messes with my head.
PH
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6173 Posts
October 03 2011 10:11 GMT
#8
Artosis chose to play T because it was considered the hardest race to play. I specifically remember him saying during a commentary during one of the TSLs (can't remember if it was 1 or 2) that he was a, "cocky little nerd" or something to that extent.

Lol, I would pay money to hear Artosis say that BW T was ever overpowered or imbalanced, lol. His rants about how OP Z and P are were legendary.
Hello
EvilTeletubby
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
Baltimore, USA22261 Posts
October 03 2011 10:13 GMT
#9
On October 03 2011 18:03 MichaelJLowell wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 03 2011 17:57 heyoka wrote:
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.

I can promise you that this information comes from some of the most reputable web sites that were once hosted on GeoCities. You have my word.


Ahahahahaha
Moderatorhttp://carbonleaf.yuku.com/topic/408/t/So-I-proposed-at-a-Carbon-Leaf-concert.html ***** RIP Geoff
turdburgler
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
England6749 Posts
October 03 2011 10:32 GMT
#10
one planet under god
wonderwall
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
New Zealand695 Posts
October 03 2011 10:49 GMT
#11

Lol, I would pay money to hear Artosis say that BW T was ever overpowered or imbalanced, lol. His rants about how OP Z and P are were legendary.


I remember some ancient post of Artosis where he claimed that just because Terrans had a 50/50 winrate on a map that map wasn't balanced. Terran was in a bad state at the time and had pretty low ratios (rationes?) on most maps so in order for the map to be balanced Terran should really be getting like a 60-70% win ratio on that specific map

Artosis logic....
Djabanete
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
United States2786 Posts
October 03 2011 11:05 GMT
#12

- List of June 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of July 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of August 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints
- List of September 2011 IdrA Balance Complaints

Nice!
May the BeSt man win.
turdburgler
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
England6749 Posts
October 03 2011 11:08 GMT
#13
On October 03 2011 19:49 wonderwall wrote:
Show nested quote +

Lol, I would pay money to hear Artosis say that BW T was ever overpowered or imbalanced, lol. His rants about how OP Z and P are were legendary.


I remember some ancient post of Artosis where he claimed that just because Terrans had a 50/50 winrate on a map that map wasn't balanced. Terran was in a bad state at the time and had pretty low ratios (rationes?) on most maps so in order for the map to be balanced Terran should really be getting like a 60-70% win ratio on that specific map

Artosis logic....


it was widely considered that at the same time, all the best players in the world were terran, and they still only went 50/50. that was artosis's point. at the moment in sc2 noone knows who collectly has the best set of players, id argue its still terran but that doesnt rule out imbalance
figq
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
12519 Posts
October 03 2011 12:49 GMT
#14
That's because Terrans have mothers - to tell everyone that they are special. (please Jessica, don't take it personally)

Meanwhile Zergs pop up from dirt, and Protoss warp in from the void. So no one gives a damn.
If you stand next to my head, you can hear the ocean. - Day[9]
m0ck
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
4194 Posts
October 03 2011 12:54 GMT
#15
(South Korea only)
pyaar
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States423 Posts
October 03 2011 13:14 GMT
#16
On October 03 2011 18:03 MichaelJLowell wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 03 2011 17:57 heyoka wrote:
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.

I can promise you that this information comes from some of the most reputable web sites that were once hosted on GeoCities. You have my word.


hahahahaha I logged on just to 5/5 you for that.
Darpa
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
Canada4413 Posts
October 03 2011 14:14 GMT
#17
On October 03 2011 18:03 MichaelJLowell wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 03 2011 17:57 heyoka wrote:
I can't help but notice you don't link any of your sources. It really calls into question the validity of this whole concept.

I can promise you that this information comes from some of the most reputable web sites that were once hosted on GeoCities. You have my word.



hahahahaaha awesome response!
"losers always whine about their best, Winners go home and fuck the prom queen"
Sufficiency
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Canada23833 Posts
October 03 2011 14:52 GMT
#18
No references
https://twitter.com/SufficientStats
OopsOopsBaby
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
Singapore3425 Posts
October 03 2011 15:01 GMT
#19
5/5. +1 for sniping heyoka.
s3x2-2 xiao3x2+2 bone3+2+2
Celial
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
2602 Posts
October 03 2011 15:08 GMT
#20
Actually, Artosis promoted Protoss superiority in the Broodwar days, leading to the official motto of MicroMedia: "We would all be progamers already if we played Protoss".
Do not regret. Always forward, never back.
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