EPTI guess I will just begin with the first part of the title. One thing I have been pondering recently is: What is 'good' in SC2? It seems like every time I see some Masters player refer to himself (or herself), I hear the often used phrase, "I'm Masters, but I am terrible." Now, I know it's all relative, obviously, but who are they comparing themselves to? The pros? I feel like that is just plain silly. That's like me playing indoor soccer and saying that I am terrible because I can't compete with Oliver Khan. He would utterly demolish me by comparison, but I would never say that I suck at soccer (specifically goalkeeping). I could have played for college, easily, but I chose to just focus on school alone. That is beside the point.
I feel like that negative attitude isn't getting people anywhere, and all I get from it is some sort of fake self-deprecation or unwarranted negativity. If you are masters, you are - by default - pretty damn good. Masters is like doing well at a college sport (in a school that takes sports seriously). No, you probably aren't going to get recruited, or get an NBA/NFL/MLS contract, but who cares. You are good.
The way I view it is, if I am improving, then I am doing pretty well. I don't look at myself in that oh-so-common negative light that all these 'scrub' Masters players do. I don't care if I were Gold, as long as I am getting better with each game and slowly improving my MMR / facing more skilled opponents. Everyone has weaknesses and areas they need to improve, even the pros. Not having the best macro in the world doesn't necessarily mean that you are 'omg, so fucking bad.'
This brings me to the next point I wanted to make. High level players are way too ridiculously hard on people who aren't at least mid-Masters. Players judge other players waaaay to much on one's rank; it's kind of silly. Now, let me interject and let people know that I am not some bronze/silver kid crying about being picked on; far from it. I would tell you my 'rank', but that would mess up what I want to do later on in this blog. Anyway, I feel like part of this is just the separation between leagues. What I mean is, mid-Masters players never really see players who are Diamond and below actually play. At the very least, they don't get a representative sample of the skill that exists in that bracket. And, another part of it is just the typical epeen measuring system. "I'm am higher rank than you, therefore you are a scrub that can't macro, and I will crush your soulllll." I feel like it's a bit extreme, and I think we need to ease up a little. That's just me though.
Lastly, I wanted to do a little experiment. This is the reason that I didn't tell you my actual rank. Attached I have a replay pack (hopefully the upload worked) of my own play. Some ladder, some customs (Daybreak, specifically). I want you, my dear audience, to glance over them and tell me what you think my rank is, based solely on my play (no cheating please!). There is no real bias in these replays either. It is just the last 9 games I have played today.
http://drop.sc/packs/819
Edit: Shit, forgot the link, haha.
This spoiler is my rank. Yet again, no cheating please!
+ Show Spoiler +
Rank 1 Platinum. I do, however, play Diamond people almost all the time now. And my record for the season is pretty good, if you ask me.
So far, I am 44 - 25.
So far, I am 44 - 25.
Some extra info (read after you make up your mind):
+ Show Spoiler +
So, I think my record is pretty solid, and I have been crushing recently. Out of my last 32 games (30 ladder, 2 custom), my record is 24-8. I definitely feel like I am of Diamond skill, but the ladder lock is preventing me from getting a promotion. For reference, I have like 100 more points than second place in my division (I have 700ish, I think).
For those who are remotely interested, here is my Battle.net profile:
http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/profile/293061/1/Verum/
Also, the opponent I played on the last two games I attached (both of the Daybreak ones) asked me my max rank after our two games. He was shocked to hear what I was, and told me that I play like a Masters. Flattering, I know, but how accurate do you think that is? I think he may be exaggerating a little, but I did kinda crush him both games. For reference, he says he is 'mid/high' Diamond, and he was C+ in ICCUP in BW.
For those who are remotely interested, here is my Battle.net profile:
http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/profile/293061/1/Verum/
Also, the opponent I played on the last two games I attached (both of the Daybreak ones) asked me my max rank after our two games. He was shocked to hear what I was, and told me that I play like a Masters. Flattering, I know, but how accurate do you think that is? I think he may be exaggerating a little, but I did kinda crush him both games. For reference, he says he is 'mid/high' Diamond, and he was C+ in ICCUP in BW.
If you made it this far (and especially if you took time to watch some reps or post feedback) I graciously thank you.
