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Welcome to my blog!
A brief introduction - my name is DinoMight, currently a Diamond Protoss playing under the handle [NEFN]SadDino (more on that one later....) on NA server. Used to be Masters for a season and now I'm working hard to get back into it.
Started out with StarCraft way back when SC1 and BW came out. I used to play casually with my friends on LAN (yes, we had actual LAN parties) and on Battle.Net 1.0.... where I played games like "2v2v2v2 BGH NO KOREANS!!!!!" So needless to say I wasn't exactly playing high level StarCraft. Then SC2 came out and I jumped on it on release day. Played through the campaign and then started playing 2v2s and 3v3s online. Hardly touched 1v1s.
A couple of years ago I was talking to a friend of mine from college and he convinced me to join a group of players for "Fight Night" - basically an evening of friendly customs. I joined up and got into my first match. My opponent was a Terran player named Adobewedge who played the game on a Macbook with a touchpad. He made nothing but Marauders and ROFLSTOMPED me. I was furious. How could this possibly work? The first thing I thought to myself was that concussive shells seemed incredibly imbalanced. But then I realized that you could use sentries to limit the Marauders' kiting and kill them with Zealots.
And so my long journey into StarCraft 2 began.
Soon after that evening I found myself getting into professional SC2. I started watching pro games and trying to mimic some of the strategies that I saw. I began laddering! I finally started playing 1v1 online... and was introduced to a WORLD OF PAIN. Baneling busts, proxy Reapers, Dark Templar (at least this one I knew from Brood War...). I felt totally helpless, but I kept at it. Silver became Gold. Gold became Platinum. And after watching countless pro games, after going through every day 9 daily and benchmarking my builds against the AI... I finally made it to Diamond. I was now in the top 20% of StarCraft players, and I was pretty proud of myself.
But for some reason, the better I got at the game the less rewarding it felt and the more I felt the need to improve. As sweet as victory tasted, defeat was frustrating and nerve wrecking. For every brilliantly executed "sentrydrop=>ramp forcefield=>blink into the main and wreck his whole base" play, there was a sloppy "my observer was slightly to the left of where it needed to be and 1 DT killed every worker at my expansion" game. You spent one less chrono on your warpgate than your opponent did? You lose. Your forcefield was one hex to the right of where it should have been? There are 300 Zerglings in your main now. You lose. Your observer wandered a milimeter too close to his Marines and now his 1/1/1 is wrecking your face? Too bad, you lose. After hundreds of games like this, I realized..
This game is fucking hard.
Initially, I felt incredibly frustrated because I would blame all my losses on my own mistakes. It's still something I do to this day. I find that incredibly competitive people always focus on what they did rather than what their opponents did. "If I chrono boosted my Storm it would have finished before he arrived at my base," I'd tell myself (when of course, there was no way for me to know that he'd attack at that precise time). The Blizzard matchmaking system is designed to keep you at a 50% winrate.. so whenever I started winning and feeling good about myself, I'd start facing tougher opponents and losing 7-10 games in a row. And I'd get mad at myself, not realizing that my loss wasn't really my fault... I lost because my opponent specifically attacked me at that time because he knew Storm wouldn't be done yet. But that was little consolation. I found myself dedicating more and more time to this game, to the point where every loss felt like a waste of the hours of my life that had gone into getting to my current skill level. I became borderline delusional - I'd play 20 or so ladder games and break even.... but the losses weighed on me so much that I would THINK that I went 5-15 until I checked my match history. I would rage a lot (never at my opponent, just after the game) and I ended up breaking several headsets and a keyboard out of frustration.
Somewhere in that time I made Masters. I was incredibly proud of myself when I first got it. Like it was the realization of a life long dream or something. About 2 weeks after Masters I pretty much stopped laddering because I was so afraid I'd get demoted. Truth be told I think it's incredibly stupid that I valued a "title" so much. In a damn video game. The competitive aspect of the game had completely overtaken the fun that I got out of it. I ended up taking a break from SC2, only logging on to play some casual games with friends and started dicking around with Dota2.
A few friends and I started playing Dota 2 and it was such a change from StarCraft. I wasn't logging on to "work on my PvT" or use up some of my bonus pool. I was just playing fucking video games for fun. We had no idea what we were doing... we'd pick heroes like Sniper, Tinker, Zeus and go around shooting lasers at things and laughing hysterically whenever Zeus pressed the R button and killed their whole team. But then we started dying to some heroes that seemed to hard counter ours and I thought wait a minute, there has to be a way to do something about this (admittedly Lycan is imba as shit and fuck Lycan). I went online and started reading about Dota and eventually found myself looking up pro skill and item builds. I started watching pro games and tried to figure out ways to beat certain heroes.
And then I realized that what drove me away from SC2 would eventually drive me away from Dota too. Every game is hard when you care SO MUCH about being really really really ridiculously good at it. My competitive spirit was simultaneously the reason I enjoyed these games and the reason they made me miserable. It's a strange thing really.
I'm back to playing SC2 now. I went on a losing streak recently and changed my handle from [NEFN]DINOMIGHT to [NEFN]SadDino about the time that Arthur was eliminated from WCS and "retired." I've been playing a lot less though, and I've started playing a lot of team games with my friends. The key for me has been to balance the 1v1 competitive side with the 4v4 LOLOLOL fun side. Whenever I lose to Swarm Hosts in 1v1 and get mad, I just jump into a team game and go mass Swarm Hosts myself. I find that it's a much better way of relieving stress than hurling my headset across the room. And cheaper.
So this was a bit all over the place but I have a lot more to write. Hopefully some of you can relate to a few things I've talked about.
-Dino
 
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Its the midnset that you only did one thing wrong and lost the game cause of one mistake. When i was high masters i could look at ny replay and see tons of things that i had done wrong. You simply arent on the level that i lost because of one dt killed all of my probes cause my obs was to the left. You shoulda have been, oh i need to watch the minimap more.
This way you fix more than on problem at a time
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Thanks for reading. I agree with you that for the most part no one mistake is deciding games. This is especially true in macro games when you have time to recover and you can do other things to regain an advantage. But there are definitely situations where one little error can mean the difference between losing outright or not. Holding off a 4 gate, for example - 1 missed forcefield is all it takes to lose whereas landing that forcefield buys enough time for your Immortal to finish, Photon Overcharge to get ready, etc. Sometimes, an epic misclick can straight up cost you the game (for example, mass recalling my Mothership Core 5 milimeters to my natural Nexus instead of using Photon Overcharge). Or forgetting to put your Zealot on hold position and losing half your workers to a ling runby.
I was playing a game the other day where I started a bit behind and was able to fight my way back into an even situation. One slightly out of place observer allowed him to EMP every single one of my Templar and end the game instantly. This even happens at the pro level sometimes.
The game is really hard. But I think it's unrealistic to expect to perform everything correctly 100% of the time. You'd never lose. It's natural to blame yourself in this situation, but lately I've been of the mindset that my opponent's play probably forced out some of these mistakes.. if I can comfortably set up all my observers everywhere I want and get my upgrades and tech etc.. yeah sure I should never get EMP'd. But if my opponent is dropping me every which way then it starts to tax my multitasking a bit and all of a sudden I become more error prone.
Still it's frustrating.
PS you can't see DTs on the minimap :p (but I get your point)
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You can see the, your base is under attack notification o scouting better. I do believe it is unrealistic to perform everything better, but i also think its unrealistic to go i lost that game cause my observer didnt see the dt. In the next game ill be sure to move it 1 space closer. I think a better mindset to have is, this i one area that i really nees to work on. Like i used to put a sticky note on my comp saying look at mini-map take watchtowers. That is significantly more helpful than oh i missed one chrono here.
If you make a mechanical mistake just move on. Or practice ff in a custom game for a couple of minutes and go back to laddering.
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On September 27 2014 03:49 MysteryMeat1 wrote:
Like i used to put a sticky note on my comp saying look at mini-map take watchtowers. That is significantly more helpful than oh i missed one chrono here.
If you make a mechanical mistake just move on. Or practice ff in a custom game for a couple of minutes and go back to laddering.
Yeah I agree with you. I used to do that actually (sticky note). Maybe I need to start again.
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I had the same problem about being really frustrated after losing, and i would blame one mistake. Sometimes in games like the 4 gate example its completly true. But you're at the level that you know what build orders are, how to micro how to macro. Focusing more on improving fundamentals is immensly helpfuly. Even though i would lose a game, as long as i knew that i looked at the mini-map more or made sure i had better vision i would be less mad cause i had made efforts to improve.
Losing in tournaments however is a whole another beast
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it doesn't sound like you practice very deliberately, you just kind of play games and base your emotional reaction on whether you win or lose in whatever fashion.
try working on specific things instead of just clicking the find match button
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On September 27 2014 06:56 Gamegene wrote:
it doesn't sound like you practice very deliberately, you just kind of play games and base your emotional reaction on whether you win or lose in whatever fashion.
try working on specific things instead of just clicking the find match button
in my opinion theres no point in "practicing deliberately" if youre not trying to win money in tournaments or whatever. in my experience nobody hates this game more than high master players who try really hard and practice a lot but aren't on a level where they can do anything with it, they're always the most burnt out and pessimistic about the game because they make it a chore. im in diamond and even i get the feeling of the "chore" of playing "correctly", and when i do, instead of thinking "oh man id better do macro drills" i just hop on protoss and offrace some hilarious 1base blink allins to shake up my game experience
of course if you really just crave competition and want to take things seriously for the joy of improving your game, whatever, i guess that's the best thing for you, but i think for a lot of people it takes away more fun than it adds
idk, i dont think a competitive spirit is necessarily a good thing. i have a drive to succeed in the things that matter, providing for myself, treating others correctly, but proving i can master a video game? eh. ive enjoyed advancing as far as i have, but when it reaches the point where im saying "fuck this game" and raging on ladder i just say goodbye and find something else to do. i think that's healthier than having some kind of primal instinct to win at games that exist to entertain our free time
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I wouldn't bother posting that if I didn't get the impression from the OP that winning and "competing" on the ladder is important to him. It's certainly important enough to him if he's willing to continue playing even after feeling negativity.
Why are you taking it personally?
i just hop on protoss and offrace some hilarious 1base blink allins to shake up my game experience...
ive enjoyed advancing as far as i have, but when it reaches the point where im saying "fuck this game" and raging on ladder i just say goodbye and find something else to do. i think that's healthier than having some kind of primal instinct to win at games that exist to entertain our free time
It's great that you feel that way and that you clearly separate yourself from the toxicity of being too competitive.
I don't disagree that gaming isn't the best use of people time, but looking down on wanting to improve in a game is just casual bullshit.
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Also, why is improving in a game somehow unattached to enjoying the game?
Telling that to anyone who's very invested into their discipline, hobby or career is pretty rude...
in my experience nobody hates this game more than high master players who try really hard and practice a lot but aren't on a level where they can do anything with it, they're always the most burnt out and pessimistic about the game because they make it a chore. im in diamond
? Sounds like bullshit to me.
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1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts
i enjoy the game because i cheese a lot
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I guess I struggle to not take the game SO seriously when I'm playing. I can't help but feel a certain way. I played a game the other day that I lost because of a few small mistakes and I got so angry at myself I wanted to punch a wall or scream into a pillow or something. Part of me always wants to be really good at what I'm doing. It's the reason I couldn't play casual Dota for more than a few times before I started trying to improve. And sometimes when I don't play as well as I think I can I disappoint myself.
I really think that I have it in me to be Masters again and I really want to achieve that. But at the same time I want to remind myself why I play this game and that it's basically just entertainment. I'm never going to be a pro...
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On September 27 2014 12:33 lichter wrote:
i enjoy the game because i cheese a lot
Lol maybe I should cheese more. I'm one of the most decent respectable Protosses on the NA ladder :p
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My competetive spirit is what keeps me playing the game. Although I haven't gotten to Diamond or Platinum yet, but it's the constant improvement that keeps me going.
Fight Nights are what make it fun! =P
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On September 29 2014 21:23 brambo wrote:
My competetive spirit is what keeps me playing the game. Although I haven't gotten to Diamond or Platinum yet, but it's the constant improvement that keeps me going.
Fight Nights are what make it fun! =P
Brambo! Welcome to Teamliquid (Brambo is also a soldier of the NEFN army).
For me the most difficult thing was when I stopped getting better. Actually, I feel like I'm getting worse these days... When you're just starting out in Bronze/Silver you feel like the sky's the limit, but I've been stuck in Diamond purgatory for so long that I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just not talented enough to get to Masters.
Sometimes I think the one season I made Masters was just a fluke, but then I think about it and realize that I was actually playing really well back then. I was unemployed, I had tons of free time, and I played all day. Hopefully with more efficient practice I can get back there.. we'll see. I know for a fact I won't be satisfied until I am.
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On September 29 2014 22:32 DinoMight wrote:
Sometimes I think the one season I made Masters was just a fluke, but then I think about it and realize that I was actually playing really well back then. I was unemployed, I had tons of free time, and I played all day. Hopefully with more efficient practice I can get back there.. we'll see. I know for a fact I won't be satisfied until I am.
Damn employement, always getting in the way of true greatness!
Putting in the time definitely gets you better, I moved from Bronze to Gold in less than 6 months, but during that 6 months I was playing everyday for at least 3 games/day (Constantly asking questions, studying builds and videos, and laddering.)
Ultimately, you have to look at it like, you graduated high school, and are off to college, where you know nothing and have to be schooled again, then graduate college to get a job, where you know nothing again and have to learn the ways of the office.
Each step up is a new beginning!
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I mean, if I was still unemployed and kept getting better at the same pace by now people would be like "Zest who?"
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You have to beat it out of your system.
just grind till the suffering no longer hurts... become numb to losing.
If you play enough games no situations are new and mechanics get oiled to perfection
you make the right decision because you will have made the wrong decision numerous times
then losing will become the exception
playing 1 or 2 games a week of serious ladder wont get you there.
Play like 50 games a week.
man up
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On September 29 2014 22:32 DinoMight wrote:
For me the most difficult thing was when I stopped getting better. Actually, I feel like I'm getting worse these days... When you're just starting out in Bronze/Silver you feel like the sky's the limit, but I've been stuck in Diamond purgatory for so long that I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just not talented enough to get to Masters.
Sometimes I think the one season I made Masters was just a fluke, but then I think about it and realize that I was actually playing really well back then. I was unemployed, I had tons of free time, and I played all day. Hopefully with more efficient practice I can get back there.. we'll see. I know for a fact I won't be satisfied until I am.
Believe me when I say this: anyone can make Masters.
You sound like a competent individual who's thoughtful enough. Unless you have some sort of physical ailment (maybe age) or mental disability, I truly believe everyone is more than capable of making Masters with a bit of practice and know how.
Again, I would recommend figuring out what the flaws are in your play and tackle problems one at a time. The only thing that separates Masters players and everyone else is basic proficiency with making probes + pylons, having a good build order and knowing what you need to do to win (read: close out) games.
You've barely scratched the surface of the game. The real "fun" and meat of the game is there and you need to have confidence that you can do it... because you can!
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On September 30 2014 10:07 Gamegene wrote:Show nested quote +On September 29 2014 22:32 DinoMight wrote:
For me the most difficult thing was when I stopped getting better. Actually, I feel like I'm getting worse these days... When you're just starting out in Bronze/Silver you feel like the sky's the limit, but I've been stuck in Diamond purgatory for so long that I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just not talented enough to get to Masters.
Sometimes I think the one season I made Masters was just a fluke, but then I think about it and realize that I was actually playing really well back then. I was unemployed, I had tons of free time, and I played all day. Hopefully with more efficient practice I can get back there.. we'll see. I know for a fact I won't be satisfied until I am. Believe me when I say this: anyone can make Masters. You sound like a competent individual who's thoughtful enough. Unless you have some sort of physical ailment (maybe age) or mental disability, I truly believe everyone is more than capable of making Masters with a bit of practice and know how. Again, I would recommend figuring out what the flaws are in your play and tackle problems one at a time. The only thing that separates Masters players and everyone else is basic proficiency with making probes + pylons, having a good build order and knowing what you need to do to win (read: close out) games. You've barely scratched the surface of the game. The real "fun" and meat of the game is there and you need to have confidence that you can do it... because you can!
I think "having a good build order" is where I fall short. My macro and micro and multitasking are really good, and I've gotten way better at strategic decision making. I just feel like there are better ways to optimize the order that I build my stuff in. For PvP and PvT at least. I'm a God PvZ (MAN TRAIN ERRY DAY haha).
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EPT
