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I’ve been researching mechanical keyboards for months now. Ever since I heard about the Das Keyboard ages ago, I wanted to know what the big deal was. At MLG Providence, I was lucky enough to use  Cheticus’ Filco that has Cherry Blue switches. After lurking in TeamLiquid’s Tech Support sub-forum for a while, doing research on mechanical keyboards, I finally decided to buy one. I found this deal on a Razer Blackwidow and pulled the trigger. Before, I was actually using an ergonomic Microsoft 4000 keyboard. With the Microsoft keyboard, I was playing at a decent pace, probably 80 APM. After getting my BlackWidow? Averaging around 95-100 APM now.
Yeah buddy
Why is this a big deal though? I honestly didn’t understand the big deal around APM at all. I remember I watched  iNcontroL streaming EG’s practice sessions and listened to the guys discuss who had the highest APM. And I was just dumbfounded. I mean,  SjoW is legendary for having low APM and viOLet admitted in his IEM Sau Paulo interview that he also has low APM. So what’s stopping me from being a good player and being a little slow? I mean I know I watched SeleCT at MLG Providence and his fingers were blazing but I’m not a pro. Why should I bother?
In my ladder games, I’ve been trying to do more 2 pronged attacks. As I push with my main, I’ll swing one medivac around to drop. The multi-tasking, or lack of, that I force my opponents to execute almost always pays for itself. Even if I just drop and hold position or shift queue the drop, it almost always does a lot of damage. But for a while, the simple act of shift-queuing the drop and telling it to hold position behind a mineral line and then A-moving my main army was a herculean task for me. Half the time, I would try to split my army into two and then I would have 2 armies...just chilling. I would have these two armies just sitting around not attacking or anything. It then became super awkward as I would partially push, try to manage the drop, then lose much of my main push since I forgot to even attack-move. Awful. I remember one game I went for a triple medivac drop on the first 3 bases you normally take on Tal’darim (Main, Natural, and the Third with the rocks). Instead of disabling his tech and economy in one amazing strike, I just had units randomly plopped in 3 different locations. I won the game but I didn’t get my usual warm fuzzy at the end. I felt super silly instead.
Fast forward a week and again on Tal’darim, I manage to command my medivac to drop my units and then have my little drop squad hold position behind a choke point in the mineral lines. My little squad denied an expansion from mining and helped to starve out my Protoss enemy.
How did I change my play so quickly? Higher APM allowed me to actually manage the two attacks. But even better was that I have finally overcome a hump that has troubled me for so long.
Macro.
The worst feeling in the world was that I would cut SCV production pretty early because I simply couldn’t handle moving around on the map and simultaneously build SCVs at home. Going into the mid game, I’d have this super weak economy with like 40 SCVs on 3 bases. Awful. I could never reload my army. I’d have this grand initial push and then a limp follow up. Not anymore. And in all honesty, it surprises me so much.
Another game on Metalopolis, I was playing a Zerg and I lost my main push and drop. But since I was macroing at home, I didn’t really see any difference in my supply. Scared for a huge backstab, I check my base to see a full bio ball. And then I A-moved to victory. And even more exciting was that the economy tab showed that I had made 76 SCVs. Way way better than my old 60 SCV max.
I just remember reading all these threads on TeamLiquid. Oh I’m a noob stuck in Gold league. How do I get out of Gold purgatory? And then everyone scoffs and says DUH JUST MACRO. Of course that doesn’t really help when you read it but they might have been right. Just making tons of units really helps. Who would’ve thought? Maybe they should put that in the tips during the load screen.
So maybe you don’t need to get a new keyboard and mouse. Maybe you just need to find a setup that fits you. See if you can change your keyboard placement or find a better mousepad position. Regardless, finding a way to increase your APM really helps gameplay. For me, a mechanical keyboard made all the difference. See what works for you.
Now if only I could stop losing my scouting SCV…
+ Show Spoiler [Bonus: A Video of Select's APM] +Just as a little bonus, I thought I’d actually provide proof that SeleCT has sick APM. According to this article, he plays at 348 apm with an eapm of 207. This video is from Saturday 11/19/2011. It’s the Saturday of MLG Providence weekend. SeleCT versus HayprO in the Loser’s Championship Bracket. I believe this is where HayprO began his tear through SeleCT, KiWiKaKi, NesTea, and MVP. I’m sorry the quality is poor. I shot it with my cell phone. Next MLG I go to I’ll definitely bring a better camera or phone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDKlytdGYLk
 
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You can only go so far with APM like SjoW, when sc2 gets compex some day people like him will be left in the dust, and those who have the best strats/multitask/apm will prevail. Generally keyboard shouldn't have any effect on your APM (well in your case with that weird ergo keyboard maybe), but I never understood the mechanical keyboard hype, bought an expensive keyboard with blue switches but switched back to my old one, guess its just preference though. APM comes with time, first you must know what to be doing at all times, and let your hands do everything else, if you think faster your hands will move faster.
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I've watched Sjow's stream though, he's not thaat slow lol.
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The thing is, everything is relative. "slow" for a pro means slower than other pros, which is still really fucking fast.
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I dont even know how you played starcraft on that old keyboard, all curvy and you gotta reach extra far on the right side of it, I think we all know why your apm increased a bit.
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believe me i have selects apm and at this high of a level, you don't need anymore apm because you can do as much as koreans can do
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@OrangeSoda
I remapped tons of my hotkeys to the left side of the split haha. It worked pretty good. Kinda like that dark grid hotkey setup I suppose.
@Br3ezy
Sc2Gears Screenshot or it didn't happen. =P
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On February 12 2012 12:32 ReketSomething wrote:
The thing is, everything is relative. "slow" for a pro means slower than other pros, which is still really fucking fast.
I lol'ed at this because this is so true. xD
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Come at me bro
Also notice the real time too. in sc2 game time, it equates to about 42 minutes
click here if image doesnt load =P
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On February 12 2012 13:28 Br3ezy wrote:Come at me bro Also notice the real time too. in sc2 game time, it equates to about 42 minutes click here if image doesnt load =P
You have to use the URL to the picture (right click the pic, copy image url), in this case http://s11.postimage.org/7n1rrnwc2/Untitled.jpg.
+ Show Spoiler +
On topic, I went from 30 APM to about 60 APM now that I am used to my SteelSeries 6gv2, though that could be from playing more since the keyboard is so enjoyable. My macro has improved a ton, but my micro is still bad 
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On February 12 2012 15:14 Erzz wrote:Show nested quote +On February 12 2012 13:28 Br3ezy wrote:Come at me bro Also notice the real time too. in sc2 game time, it equates to about 42 minutes click here if image doesnt load =P You have to use the URL to the picture (right click the pic, copy image url), in this case http://s11.postimage.org/7n1rrnwc2/Untitled.jpg. + Show Spoiler +On topic, I went from 30 APM to about 60 APM now that I am used to my SteelSeries 6gv2, though that could be from playing more since the keyboard is so enjoyable. My macro has improved a ton, but my micro is still bad
didnt work still
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I'm confused, are you trying to show off your 285 APM or something?
Oh nvm i see the 900 apm peak lolz.
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On February 12 2012 16:31 Megaliskuu wrote:
I'm confused, are you trying to show off your 285 APM or something?
Oh nvm i see the 900 apm peak lolz.
i'd be impressed if this was sc not sc2.
APM is like dick size, people try to compare it maybe dress it up but in the end it doesn't matter what your dick size is on the avg, all that matters is you can make that girl or guy cum.
On February 12 2012 15:14 Erzz wrote:Show nested quote +On February 12 2012 13:28 Br3ezy wrote:Come at me bro Also notice the real time too. in sc2 game time, it equates to about 42 minutes click here if image doesnt load =P You have to use the URL to the picture (right click the pic, copy image url), in this case http://s11.postimage.org/7n1rrnwc2/Untitled.jpg. + Show Spoiler +On topic, I went from 30 APM to about 60 APM now that I am used to my SteelSeries 6gv2, though that could be from playing more since the keyboard is so enjoyable. My macro has improved a ton, but my micro is still bad
I never understood this oh new expensive keyboard more apm, simply put it's a boost in confidence and you're trying harder, jaedong hit 400 apm avgs on cheap 8 dollar keyboards as did many pros, savior own osl's and msl avging some of the lowest apm for his time around 230apm. People shouldn't buy mech keyboards to improve in a game nothing scientific is proven in that category, all they end up buying is snake oil, confidence.
I never practiced trying to spam commands to keep me at a pace, but what i did do was actually try to learn timings of when things would be done and how fast things move, and ofc i can always spam command moves when i needed to for micro. I still was able to hit B- with 120apm in season 1 and 3 of iccup. Because for the largest part of being better is understanding the game, although being a macro whore can't hurt.
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On February 12 2012 17:15 semantics wrote:Show nested quote +On February 12 2012 16:31 Megaliskuu wrote:
I'm confused, are you trying to show off your 285 APM or something?
Oh nvm i see the 900 apm peak lolz. i'd be impressed if this was sc not sc2. . People shouldn't buy mech keyboards to improve in a game nothing scientific is proven in that category, all they end up buying is snake oil, confidence.
Hey thats not true I went from silver to gold on my filco!!!
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On February 12 2012 12:24 Megaliskuu wrote:
You can only go so far with APM like SjoW, when sc2 gets compex some day people like him will be left in the dust, and those who have the best strats/multitask/apm will prevail. Generally keyboard shouldn't have any effect on your APM (well in your case with that weird ergo keyboard maybe), but I never understood the mechanical keyboard hype, bought an expensive keyboard with blue switches but switched back to my old one, guess its just preference though. APM comes with time, first you must know what to be doing at all times, and let your hands do everything else, if you think faster your hands will move faster.
this man knows what he is talking about. apm is very important. do not listen to people saying, "grubby is wtf slow but he pro". there is simply too much you can do with more apm. and i am not talking about spam but effective apm. once hots and void come out with micro intensive and skill based units, you will be able to use them with high apm. Not just one but three. not just two pronged attacks, but 3+. it's gonna be fun.
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Some people play better with high apm and some play worse. I'm quite comfortable at 180. But some are more comfortable at higher or lower numbers. As long as your mechanics are in the right spot with your apm you'll be in grand shape.
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The key thing is to have "good" APM, on the ladder I've met a lot of people with 250 APM, who basically spammed 141414141414 throughout the whole game. That's bullshit.
Speed comes with practice, the more knowledge you have, the faster you'll be able to play the game.
I have pretty quick hands and I am starting to get kinda fast in sc2 (about 180 APM, redundancy < 20 %), and I think that I will break the 200 soon. But it won't happen, because I spam like a retard. It will just happen naturally, as I'm getting better and faster.
I think my personal "maximum speed" should be around 230 APM, more than that seems to be unnecessary for my style of play.
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On February 12 2012 17:15 semantics wrote:Show nested quote +On February 12 2012 16:31 Megaliskuu wrote:
I'm confused, are you trying to show off your 285 APM or something?
Oh nvm i see the 900 apm peak lolz. i'd be impressed if this was sc not sc2. APM is like dick size, people try to compare it maybe dress it up but in the end it doesn't matter what your dick size is on the avg, all that matters is you can make that girl or guy cum. Show nested quote +On February 12 2012 15:14 Erzz wrote:On February 12 2012 13:28 Br3ezy wrote:Come at me bro Also notice the real time too. in sc2 game time, it equates to about 42 minutes click here if image doesnt load =P You have to use the URL to the picture (right click the pic, copy image url), in this case http://s11.postimage.org/7n1rrnwc2/Untitled.jpg. + Show Spoiler +On topic, I went from 30 APM to about 60 APM now that I am used to my SteelSeries 6gv2, though that could be from playing more since the keyboard is so enjoyable. My macro has improved a ton, but my micro is still bad I never understood this oh new expensive keyboard more apm, simply put it's a boost in confidence and you're trying harder, jaedong hit 400 apm avgs on cheap 8 dollar keyboards as did many pros, savior own osl's and msl avging some of the lowest apm for his time around 230apm. People shouldn't buy mech keyboards to improve in a game nothing scientific is proven in that category, all they end up buying is snake oil, confidence. I never practiced trying to spam commands to keep me at a pace, but what i did do was actually try to learn timings of when things would be done and how fast things move, and ofc i can always spam command moves when i needed to for micro. I still was able to hit B- with 120apm in season 1 and 3 of iccup. Because for the largest part of being better is understanding the game, although being a macro whore can't hurt.
should really just read this post
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Yea selects fingers are incredible, once I got a mechanical keyboard I was definitely faster, and I did improve, allowed me to do alot more APM intensive stuff like multi prong attacks, controlling stuff like the void ray stalker all in got 100x easier and what not. love love love mechanical keyboards, and now I just generally like typing more, wish I had one of these when I was writing all of my college papers!
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btw highest bw pros have 450-500 apm (by.hero by.great or something, not sure about clan tags), with 10 dollar keyboard, just throwing that out there.'
EDIT: APM discussion has been solved for a long time, more effectiv apm never hurts. Its like giving values to your skills, macro is 500, micro is 200, etc etc, apm would be 200 too for example, you can improve and get good withotu investing to apm, but it never hurts to have more apm. Also sc2 lvl of play isnt that high yet to really imply high apms (i mean in bw you can watch a game where both player play perfect, but one loses horribly, but in sc2 you can see basic mistakes from even the best of the best).
EDIT: btw there is bug in sc2 gears, where if you press s and hold d (build drone or any unit)) even if the recources finish and you still have larve, then the game still thinks your building, when you are actually not, so sc2 gears can read it as massive apm spike/you build more drones then actually according to sc2gears.
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EPT![[image loading]](http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/_base_v1/products/natural-ergonomic-keyboard-4000/mk_nek4000_large.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://postimage.org/image/uoicxevzj/)
![[image loading]](http://s11.postimage.org/7n1rrnwc2/Untitled.jpg)
