EPTI have just come off a shorter laddering session of 5 games this evening, in which I feel I played some really positive and encouraging StarCraft. Though I was only victorious in 2 out of those 5 games, One of my victories was probably the best game I've ever played. Below I have linked the replay for anyone interested in watching, and if I get it casted by a clanmate I will update the post with a VOD link.
http://drop.sc/282436
It's a 32 minute long TvP on Daybreak LE against a Masters Protoss (evenly matched) called SDbLaCkwa. My macro was not 100%, but I feel that it was much better than usual particularly in the mid-game. I often add extra production facilities much too late, and once the first big engagement of the mid-game occurs I struggle to reproduce the lost units. This is especially bad against Protoss and Zerg whose macro mechanics can punish this every single time. In this game, I added 4 extra Barracks as I expanded to my 3rd base, allowing the extra production to kick in for a faster 200/200 and remax potential. The opponent's 3rd base was very late and once I sniped a Colossus, a handful of sentries and 19 workers with a drop in his mineral line, he basically had to go all-in off 2 bases. I was consciously ready for this, having started Ghost production, added an extra Starport, and continued my upgrades for all units.
His first venture on my side of the map nearly won him the game. 4 Colossi, lots of Sentries and a large contingent of Stalkers assaulted my 3rd base and killed it. I couldn't engage to defend yet, as I had to wait for another production round to finish. My very high Medivac count saved me in the end; I had 8 and at one stage there was literally one for each attacking unit that I had on the field. Another production round finished and I was able to kill the last remaining Colossus and mop up the fleeing Stalkers. My counter-attack killed his 3rd base not long after it began operation, and a bit of discussion ensued as the opponent admitted defeat. As we discussed 'how u mass so fast?', I remaxed on a heavy Ghost/Viking composition and waited for him to come at me again. By this stage I had taken 5 bases and a lone Marine manning the forward Xel'Naga tower showed that he was yet to take a 4th. The final engagement was hopelessly one-sided as I spammed EMP over his army before stimming in and obliterating the last of the Protoss forces.
Story-telling aside, I felt very confident playing this game after watching a newly released video from Caster and Tutor extraodinaire Apollo of Team Dignitas. Linked HERE, the video is a revamp of his Terran Tutorial in which he plays on a fresh account in Bronze League to demonstrate simple, efficient macro play. From it I was able to clarify a few uncertainties that I had gained about my build order, and tighten up the opening and mid-game to ensure my macro was heading in the right direction. I highly recommend the video and all future episodes that are bound to hit us soon.
Despite today's triumphs, the last week has been a little shaky overall, with a couple of loss-streaks on the NA server that made me quite frustrated and a little demoralised about the game. I am not one to let these frustrations brew and carry over from day to day, which is helpful because I do not put myself on tilt for very long when it does happen. The next blog that I write will probably be in just over a week, as on the 16th I'm going on holidays for a week. Between now and then I'm aiming to fit in as many games as I can and shoot for a promotion to Diamond League! As always, comments and questions are most welcome and will be responded to!
Yours in StarCraft,
Kezz
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