EPTJust to tell you a little about where I am at the moment; for the past 5 days I have been playing at least 8+ hours a day on ICCUP. I'm getting close to almost 200 games on my account already.
I thought maybe this might help some people who are new, and interested in getting into broodwar, but think it is not possible due to having no experience (because honestly, apart from the years and years of watching broodwar I've started from scratch), and that it would be too hard. I just want to talk about a few key things I have learned thus far. Which brings me to the first part:
The Low Level Community is Still Thriving!
There are always people who only play occasionally, and a lot of people are trying the game out now it seems. It is such a great thing to see. So anyone having doubts about being able to pick up Broodwar should have no worries about being able to find people to play against, who won't just murder you. Honestly, at a Low D/D- level, you will either get someone who has just started learning the game (or maybe just really bad), or someone who is just playing for fun(doesn't care). Yeah, you will get the occasional new account C+ guy and he will wipe the floor with you, but I have had, and still continue to have pretty evenly matched games. As I am starting to move up the ladder a bit, to a D+ level I have noticed a sort of trend:
D+ is Like All-in Bootcamp
So when I first started, I probably lost about 30 games in a row, and was definitely D-. I wouldn't play against anything higher than like 1500. Most games either panned out 2 ways: A pretty standard macro game, where we both just have terrible mechanics, or just a completely WTF build from my opponent, and me trying to figure out what is going on. I've seen some things...terrans going 1 base starport, building 1 wraith and going bio tank.... 1 base zergs covering their bases with creep colonies...just crazy stuff like that where I just have to say WTF is going on. I honestly have had to ask my opponent if he was a real person because I thought I was playing against the AI on accident (The Computer is terrible in broodwar, and does the strangest things). Anyway, as soon as I got confident enough to start playing against D+ people I noticed that a good chunk of them just go all-in or do some kind of gimmicky build every single time. Quick hydra busts with range, 2facts, 4-gate goons, DT rushes, any kind of easy win strategy you can think of. I can't refute that it's a good way to get a higher ranking of course. But hold off that all-in, and you pretty much win against them because they haven't practiced the mechanics to play a full macro game.
Of course, I usually get my face smashed by the all-in, but WOW, I've learned so much as a result. My scouting has gotten so much better, I'm able to keep my little scouting probe alive so long now, without completely screwing up my opener. (I honestly have feelings I can't describe for the little scouting probe at the start of each game <3). Each game I get stronger and stronger at scouting and holding off stuff like that, and every game I learn something. Which brings me around to the final thing I've learned so far:
Getting Better at Starcraft is the Best Feeling Ever
I know it's extremely nerdy to say this, but it's really true. Maybe it's because I have been playing so much and improving so quickly, or maybe it's just because I have never really applied myself to anything this hard before (that's sad I know, but true). But every game I get better and better and better, I see it happening, and it's just so cool. When I catch myself getting those upgrades I used to miss, nailing timings, getting tech buildings I used to forget, having the right amount of gateways, or making pylons without even thinking about it , it seriously blows my mind. It is honestly an indescribable feeling for me, and it makes me so excited to play each day.
One more small thing I have learned. I have watched a ton of Broodwar, followed the meta for quite a while, and could watch a game and talk strategy (he should have done this, he should have done that) with you all day. But wow, none of that means shit. Applying what you have learned outside the game, to what you are actually doing inside a game, is so much harder than I thought. However, going back to what I said before, as the rudimentary tasks of things like pylons, probes, and macro-ing out units becomes instinctual and almost automatic, THEN you start being able to actually use your brain while playing.
I've always loved this game a lot, it's exciting to watch, it's so impressive when someone plays it well, and even more impressive when they come up with amazing strategies on top of that. But actually playing the game, trying to learn and be competitive, and actually succeeding at improving has shown me a whole new side to the beauty of this game.
So that's where I'm at so far. The season ends today I believe, and the challenge of the next season lies ahead. I still have a really really long way to go, but I am going to see what I can do with the time I have.
I will write another blog when I have more to say about the learning process. And as I gain a deeper understanding of each Protoss match-up I hope to create some resources to help new players (it doesn't seem like there are many, I know how daunting reading guides and liquipedia can get).
If anyone is having a hard time getting into Broodwar, or wants to but doesn't know anyone, or anything like that, I will always be willing to help. Just send me a message!
GLHF ^_^
