So, after watching some pro bw and lots of sayle's stream, plus trying some sc2bw games, im getting a bit bored with sc2, so im thinking about dedicating some time to bw, plus i think it will really improve my rts mechanics in general which is nice. Not to mention, dragoons/reavers vs stalker/colossi is a no brainer

Sadly i don't really know where to start: i have registered on iccup.com, but from there im kinda lost. Should i just practice against the ai until i have half-decent army control and macro, or should i just jump on the ladder and happily get mauled until i get better? Any tips for a complete beginner? Thanks a lot, and wish me luck!

Phyrigian

New Zealand1332 Posts

October 09 2011 11:37 GMT

--- Nuked ---

Kiante

Australia7069 Posts

October 09 2011 11:42 GMT

i'd suggest having a look around the guides on liquipedia, picking some builds that appeal to you or are more standard, play them against people in op teamliquid or an AI until you can replicate it fairly well and then jump into ladder

Djabanete

United States2786 Posts

October 09 2011 11:50 GMT

Just play some people, what are you waiting for?

Amanebak

Czech Republic528 Posts

October 09 2011 12:01 GMT

This thread should help you.
gl

Teoita

Italy12246 Posts

October 09 2011 12:01 GMT

Logging now phyrigian, thanks a lot

edit: sry took me too long. next time man!

Piste

6180 Posts

October 09 2011 12:18 GMT

read some guides, then start laddering

Kipsate

Netherlands45349 Posts

October 09 2011 12:25 GMT

There is a variety of threads in the BW section which can help you, you can use the search function or just scroll the threads. If you have questions, you can ask them in Irc on #teamliquidBW, usually there will be someone willing to answer your questions.

When you join Iccup(assuming youl start there) join op teamliquid, you can find people to play there usually, just ask around. Don't be afraid to ask people for a game, there is alot of D or +D people there and the C people are usually willing to help the D people.

Practice however is key to victory.

Also be wary of siege tanks, they hit like freight treins in this game.

What is your nick on Iccup?Ill add you and maybe we can play at some point, I am a D Terran.

lFrost

United States295 Posts

October 09 2011 12:34 GMT

my advice:
-pick race you want to play
-pick one specific matchup you want to practice, along with a specific map
-choose a solid/standard build order you want to open up with in every game in that particular matchup
-mass games on iccup vs people of similar rank until you get the hang of it, then you can move onto another build order or matchup

also helpful to watch vod/reps of pros - you can get a sense of general army composition and build orders from there

Teoita

Italy12246 Posts

October 09 2011 13:21 GMT

#10

For everyone wanting to play matches/give me a hand, i'm sGs.Teo on iccup.

tryummm

774 Posts

October 09 2011 14:01 GMT

#11

When you first start playing I would recommend practicing against the AI and watching professional VODs almost exclusively. If you play against real players the game will seem impossible and you'll likely become frustrated. This is because there is a ridiculous skill gap in brood war, even among D players on iCCup. If you go on fish (Korean) server, the F players are even better than probably 90% of the iCCup players (This statistic is made up, but its not a ridiculous approximation). So start off by watching tons of VODs and getting an idea of the meta game as you learn hot keys, units, and start getting in the habit of playing the game by playing against the AI. Even professional players practice a great deal against the AI to modify and perfect their strategies. They then test the strategies later against their teammates.

TORTOISE

United States515 Posts

October 09 2011 14:52 GMT

#12

I'm also a pure unadulterated noob on Iccup. I'm mage_slayer and i'd love to play some low level games! Also im protoss.

puppykiller

United States3137 Posts

October 09 2011 15:02 GMT

#13

I suggest doing everything. Learn a build, practice it vs the ai, watch 1 billion reps (of players of every level), play vs ppl as new as you, play vs ppl who stomp you, ask advice from better players, see how far you can get on the ladder, even play bgh or UMS maps, all of these things will push you towards the right direction and only doing 1 or 2 of these things will delay your growth.

The biggest thing I would recommend is for you to start making friends as soon as you get on iccup. This is especially important if you can't host because if you don't have a big /f a list... your gonna have trouble finding games.

EDIT: I guess my advice contradicts trymmmmmmmms, but I really think that when ppl are first starting off, focusing exclusively on trying to play the game the correct way can be extremely difficult as the majority of things high level players do are very cryptic. Don't take this as an insult, honestly I personally feel like I don't learn that much when I watch pro koreans most of the time because it's hard not to just focus on exclusively reaffirming triggers that I already know. At the same time just playing BGH and "just focusing on mechanics for now" won't help you that much either. This is why I recommend doing everything that you feel pushes you in the right direction.