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Hi guys, this is my first blog on TL
first of all I just turned 18 and I'm a student from Germany.
I was following the competitive scene quite a lot since SC2's release and it simply blew my mind when I realized that it was possible to earn money with this game and even being able to play it fulltime. I was a spectator for most of the time and just 6 months ago I decided to get a new PC and see good I can become. Simply following the proffesional scene didn't satisfy me anymore, I wanted to compete, don't get me wrong my goal was not to become the best player or something. Back then I simply wanted to reach a level where I can win some smaller online tournaments from time to time.
First I thought I improved rather fast and I noticed that I probably improve faster than most other players...
Today 6 months later I am a high masters player on the EU server. I came fairly close to reaching GM at some points but never actually made it. As of rightnow I have 1400 points on the EU server. I am usually top 100-200 masters on the whole server. I play a lot, this season for example I have 861 1v1 games played, (454 wins, 407 losses.
Now you might ask why are you telling me all this?
Well the reason is I am starting to doubt myself. I spent the majority of my freetime playing this game in the last 6 months and I am not satisfied with my results. I had no concrete goals how good I wanted to be 6 months after I started practicing hard but now thinking about it it would be nice if I was at least mid GM level. I play way more than the average player, I believe there are only a couple of players in EU masters who played more than me this season, link: http://sc2ranks.com/ranks/eu/master
I don't have any practice partners, I just ladder. I don't participate in any online cups either as I feel its a waste of time. The chance of me winning a cup is very small and its simply not worth the time as I could have played way more laddergames in this time.
I am simply looking for methods to improve faster and I hope you guys can help me. What do you think is the most efficient methods to improve? How many replays of proplayers should I watch for example? I noticed I don't watch many replays but I just spam games. Do you think its hindering me from improving quicklier or should I just go on spamming games? What are the best replay sites?
I really want to become better, but I feel maybe I'm lacking something or I approach the game the wrong way... I also noticed that I need some kind of motivation. For example I noticed as far as I meet many proplayers on ladder (indication for high mmr) and sometimes even win vs them (indication for me not being completely shit) I am much more motivated to play and I spend less time not practicing.. its not like I dislike the game, but I think I need more motivation than just the enjoyment of the game. I think I would have already stoped playing if I wasn't at least close to GM at some points.... I know most people don't think GM means much but for me it would mean a lot since I would finally see my practice pay off a little bit.
What are good methods to keep motivated?
thanks
 
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Sounds like playing in online cups that you are so quick to discard as worthless is exactly what you need. First of all, you're likely to run into some very skilled players, possibly even 'successful' pros there which would be a very good learning opportunity for you; secondly, playing in a tournament - even an insignificant online cup - is very different from ladder as players will generally try harder and use a much wider array of strategies; last but not least, it's a very good source of motivation - it's a lot more satisfying to get results in a tournament, even if it's something completely noname, than grinding games on ladder.
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Take time to think about other angles of playing.
Watch replays from time to time because they will show you other ways people have come to deal with the problems you face.
Watch vods for the same reason.
However, spend more time playing than all of the above.
Watching your own replays and noticing where you arent spending money, could have changed things around (for example, expanding before building the rest of your army etc)
Decision making is huge as well. You need to cut out bad engagements from your play, and improve scouting.
Also, you may want to find some practice partners. Playing people and talking about the games is important because they can often have a lot of input. And I've gotten good advice from people who weren't my level as well, so don't always discredit lower level practice partners.
Edit: Also, don't forget that skill will come with time. There are people who are GM now that have played broodwar for years beforehand, so don't get discouraged.
GL
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just a diamond on the NA server, take advice w/ a grain of salt:
what always helps me keep motivated is playing in those online cups/tournaments that you said you don't like to play in. because i'm bad, i always get crushed rather easily, but playing in BO3-7 settings really helps me improve. I have to come up with different playstyles for each game to change it up. Have you perfected different kinds of builds/styles, so you can do well in a BO3? I find that playing with different units/going for nutty strategies helps me explore my race's depths, and I'm always interested in how this relates with the current meta. Hope to see you improve, keep us updated!!! glgl~
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I don't want to sound harsh, but please ask yourself:
If someone would tell you they want to get pro but don't have motivation to play, what would you think?
Thats basically what I thought your problem is when I first read your post. However now after reading it again i notice you say that you played really a lot, so I'm a bit confused ;o
Well maybe the thing is that you just play mindlessly, and therefore just learn very little from each game.
Do you have a plan before you enter a game? Something special you want to work on?
Do you think after every game right after you played it? About why it went the way it did, things you did good and about what you should work on in the future?
EDIT:
Your mindset is critical to be successfull. For example, noobs just rage if they lose, while pros see every lose as an opportunity to learn.
What do you think is the most efficient methods to improve? How many replays of proplayers should I watch for example?
Every person is different, you have to find that out yourself!
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Watch pro games, replays, vods, find a favorite pro and study him.
Practice one build for every matchup until you get it dialed.
Also, PLAY! Pros play 30+ games a day!
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I'll start off with the reality check: Don't think you can make a living out of playing SC2, because it appears that it's your long term goal. Very very few people succeed at doing this. Get a job, go to college, do something else instead of playing SC2 fulltime, so you don't over-commit. The Koreans will simply own you because they do it fulltime, in a proper environment with proper practice partners.
Now about improving yourself: Play in those online cups that you dismissed. You can play with people who are much better than you, and if you can win a bit of money (3rd place), it'll motivate you immensely. It's better than laddering when battle.net is infested with maphackers. Also, look at your replays, identify what's weakest, be it a matchup or a particular skill), and practice it until it gets solidified.
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Don't play to be a pro, do what Stephano did and basically say, I'm going to take X year(s) off to play this, however far I get is however far I get, and I'll be happy with that :D. You are already much farther along than most of us and if you quit playing so aggressively you will still be very good in the future. Now is the time to play online tourneys and kick ass like Maynard ^^.
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EPT
