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Best Maps for Beginners to Learn?

Blogs > Carnivorous Sheep
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Carnivorous Sheep
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Baa?21244 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-01-29 06:43:05
January 29 2009 06:42 GMT
#1
So, I decided to follow up on my New Year's Resolution. After years and years of Theorycraft in lieu of Starcraft, I decided to actually play some Starcraft again.

I expect to fail miserably and hover at the D-D- level, but hopefully it'll be fun.

My question is, what are 1-3ish maps that are good for a beginner (assume I played NO Starcraft before this) to start getting familiar with and playing exclusively on for iccup? I plan on failing on just a couple maps exclusively before expanding my horizons to newer and greater lengths of fail.

***
TranslatorBaa!
SpiritoftheTunA
Profile Blog Joined August 2006
United States20903 Posts
January 29 2009 06:44 GMT
#2
although it's hated by many, python is a good foundation on new macro-style play

so is blue storm

and othello

i dunno
posting on liquid sites in current year
Ftrunkz
Profile Blog Joined April 2007
Australia2474 Posts
January 29 2009 06:46 GMT
#3
yeah, learn python first. After that just learn what ever is MotW on ICCup each week and you'll eventually know almost all maps
@NvPinder on twitter | Member of Gamecom Nv | http://www.clan-ta.com | http://www.youtube.com/user/ftrunkz | http://www.twitchtv.com/xghpinder
Ilikestarcraft
Profile Blog Joined November 2004
Korea (South)17731 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-01-29 06:47:24
January 29 2009 06:46 GMT
#4
python blue storm andromeda

Simple macro maps

Longinus and Tau Cross are good too
"Nana is a goddess. Or at very least, Nana is my goddess." - KazeHydra
liger13
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States1060 Posts
January 29 2009 06:47 GMT
#5
yup... you can normaly always grab some people to play on python...

although Colosseum is pretty good as well if your learning some macro
I feel like pwning noobs
DownMaxX
Profile Joined August 2008
Canada1311 Posts
January 29 2009 06:47 GMT
#6
Large 4-player macro maps I guess?

Python (overused anyway), Andromeda, Othello, Colosseum II, ect.

Also Destination (2-player).
parasite
Carnivorous Sheep
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Baa?21244 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-01-29 06:51:18
January 29 2009 06:49 GMT
#7
Okey dokey, sounds good.

Thanks for the input, to Python, away!

edit: I coulda sworn there was some map pack thing for download on this site that included a lot of the currently popular maps. Can someone point me the right way?
TranslatorBaa!
blabber
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States4448 Posts
January 29 2009 06:52 GMT
#8
the TLPD has links for you to download maps. iccup.com also has a map pack.
blabberrrrr
Carnivorous Sheep
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Baa?21244 Posts
January 29 2009 06:54 GMT
#9
Aha, iccup. That's it. Thanks.
TranslatorBaa!
DownMaxX
Profile Joined August 2008
Canada1311 Posts
January 29 2009 06:54 GMT
#10
If you're playing on iCCup, you're going to want their map pack:

http://www.iccup.com/files/view/iCCup_Ladder_maps_01.html
parasite
Chill
Profile Blog Joined January 2005
Calgary25987 Posts
January 29 2009 06:54 GMT
#11
Python.
Moderator
lIlIlIlIlIlI
Profile Blog Joined October 2004
Korea (South)3851 Posts
January 29 2009 06:54 GMT
#12
--- Nuked ---
ramen247
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States1256 Posts
January 29 2009 06:54 GMT
#13
play python until you are like C+ lol.
i hate this ugly firebat. i want a marine.
CDRdude
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States5625 Posts
January 29 2009 06:58 GMT
#14
Like other people have said, Python and Blue Storm. Maybe pick one of the MOTW's each week as well.
Force staff is the best item in the game.
Carnivorous Sheep
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Baa?21244 Posts
January 29 2009 07:00 GMT
#15
On January 29 2009 15:54 ramen247 wrote:
play python until you are like C+ lol.


I guess I'll be Python forever then xD!
TranslatorBaa!
WindCalibur
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
Canada938 Posts
January 29 2009 07:04 GMT
#16
If you are zerg you can always try medusa...
Vivi57
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States6599 Posts
January 29 2009 07:36 GMT
#17
Destination is fun to play (and I'm pretty bad too)

2 player maps have less positional variation (cross positions vs close, like dropship play on python)
Flash hwaiting! Nal_rA forever!
T.O.P. *
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Hong Kong4685 Posts
January 29 2009 07:46 GMT
#18
On January 29 2009 16:04 WindCalibur wrote:
If you are zerg you can always try medusa...

No, Medusa is like a zerg graveyard.
Oracle comes in, Scvs go down, never a miscommunication.
Not_Computer
Profile Blog Joined January 2007
Canada2277 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-01-29 08:05:32
January 29 2009 08:04 GMT
#19
lol, i tried to get my friend to learn Plasma and after one game he's like "this map is shit, next please"

edit: though he did beat me on medusa and we both seemed to like Chupung-Ryeong
"Jaedong hyung better be ready. I'm going to order the most expensive dinner in Korea."
WindCalibur
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
Canada938 Posts
January 29 2009 08:04 GMT
#20
On January 29 2009 16:46 T.O.P. wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 29 2009 16:04 WindCalibur wrote:
If you are zerg you can always try medusa...

No, Medusa is like a zerg graveyard.

well statistically from progamers the map is quite balanced
GTR
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
51497 Posts
January 29 2009 08:08 GMT
#21
Lost Temple is the best 'basic' map to play on, four bases, an expansion and mineral natural and two islands. Most maps before 2002/2003 revolved around that 8-8-6 theory.
Commentator
Zapdos_Smithh
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Canada2620 Posts
January 29 2009 08:13 GMT
#22
Katrina, Geometry, Wuthering Heights, and Un'Goro Crater ^^

heh just kidding, those are the maps to avoid.

Just go for python, blue storm (just remember to rally your gates/hatch/w.e to the highest ramp), and maybe medusa.
SilverskY
Profile Joined September 2008
Korea (South)3086 Posts
January 29 2009 08:40 GMT
#23
On January 29 2009 17:04 WindCalibur wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 29 2009 16:46 T.O.P. wrote:
On January 29 2009 16:04 WindCalibur wrote:
If you are zerg you can always try medusa...

No, Medusa is like a zerg graveyard.

well statistically from progamers the map is quite balanced

... Have you see the progamers' statistics for PVT?... -_-;

Python, Othello, Lost Temple, Andromeda, and Colosseum are good maps I think. I would especially say Python or Othello.
Graphics
PH
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6173 Posts
January 29 2009 09:20 GMT
#24
Definitely Python...it's a very straightforward map without many gimmicks or terribly unique features.

Othello also follows along the same line...but has a very easily accessible third gas.

Blue Storm is...strange...I could never really get into that map. I also hate Lost Temple with a passion...I HATE the cliffable naturals...it seriously pisses me off.

Andromeda is also an interesting map...especially for macro play.
Hello
Nytefish
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United Kingdom4282 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-01-29 10:39:17
January 29 2009 10:38 GMT
#25
A bit odd how people mention the poorly balanced LT, but not Luna which was very popular before Python (but really bad for TvP rather than PvT).

Python is the best of the boring standard maps, but I don't really like it.
No I'm never serious.
Boblion
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
France8043 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-01-29 10:58:46
January 29 2009 10:57 GMT
#26
Python or Luna.
Fuck gay macro maps with easy third base and shitty pathfiding ( colosseum/andromeda/bluestorm).
fuck all those elitists brb watching streams of elite players.
b3h47pte
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States1317 Posts
January 29 2009 14:45 GMT
#27
python, othello and destination are good maps.
Kennelie
Profile Joined December 2007
United States2296 Posts
January 29 2009 15:10 GMT
#28
IMO beginner maps can consist of BB/BGH/LT/LUNA. BGH for macro practice meh. LT/LUNA have some of the simplest strategies you can get down and practice on BGH. There's a portion of old blizzard maps that aren't to bad with path finding.
ya had ya shot kid!
LemOn
Profile Blog Joined July 2005
United Kingdom8629 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-01-29 15:13:43
January 29 2009 15:12 GMT
#29
Luna, LT are great starters.

Python ma be difficult because of the distant 3rd. Othello is a problem because of the walls and different style of fights than usual. And I strongly discourage using Blue Storm as a learning map. It has very unique rally point setting and the gameflow is a lot different from conventional maps.

This is based on my opinion if the first few games I played on them. Experienced players get used to the map and different style it requires after 5-15 games, but it may be harder for beginners.

I would choose a very very standard map, and play only on that one map until you completely understand it. Than proceed to another one.
Much is the father figure that I miss in my life. Go Daddy! DoC.LemOn, LemOn[5thF]
Kennelie
Profile Joined December 2007
United States2296 Posts
January 29 2009 16:41 GMT
#30
BB(blood bath) is a good beginner map to get your starts out to a solid piece of your actual play.

Try Gaia as well. Its like a mix of lost temple and python.
ya had ya shot kid!
koreasilver
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
9109 Posts
January 29 2009 16:43 GMT
#31
On January 29 2009 16:04 WindCalibur wrote:
If you are zerg you can always try medusa...

Medusa blows for ZvP in the midgame. A goddamned nightmare.
Ilikestarcraft
Profile Blog Joined November 2004
Korea (South)17731 Posts
January 29 2009 17:14 GMT
#32
Luna is weird because of the gas issues
"Nana is a goddess. Or at very least, Nana is my goddess." - KazeHydra
ProtossOnly
Profile Joined March 2009
United States10 Posts
April 06 2009 13:35 GMT
#33
I know that when I first started I really liked playing on simple 2 player maps. It helped me to focus on my build order and not worry too much about expansions or scouting as much.

Astral Balance
Jacob's Ladder

Those were my favorites when I started
Michaelj
Profile Joined February 2008
United States186 Posts
April 06 2009 14:35 GMT
#34
Python is a good map since everyone knows how to play on it and you'll always find games. If you're a zerg I guess LT is okay, but I don't know if protoss can forge FE safely on all positions. Also, I know that a lot of toss complain about the cliff next to the natural
---
anderoo
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada1876 Posts
April 06 2009 15:21 GMT
#35
On April 06 2009 22:35 ProtossOnly wrote:
I know that when I first started I really liked playing on simple 2 player maps. It helped me to focus on my build order and not worry too much about expansions or scouting as much.

Astral Balance
Jacob's Ladder

Those were my favorites when I started


Cute!

Definitely use Othello or Andromeda, super straightforward
Tom Phoenix
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
1114 Posts
April 06 2009 16:19 GMT
#36
On January 29 2009 17:08 GTR wrote:
Lost Temple is the best 'basic' map to play on, four bases, an expansion and mineral natural and two islands. Most maps before 2002/2003 revolved around that 8-8-6 theory.


The problem with Lost Temple, though, is that the ridges near the naturals are too easily expolitable by Terran players. Other then that, however, I agree it is a good starter map.

Also, "Python hated by many"? If you go on Battle.net, you will have a hard time finding a game that is NOT on Python.

What about Tau Cross? I am not sure how good it is for basic play, but it is suprisingly balanced according to statistics.
You and your "5 years of competitive RTS experience" can take a hike. - FrozenArbiter
Viledica
Profile Joined May 2008
Canada361 Posts
April 06 2009 17:37 GMT
#37
I agree with Python, Lost Temple, and Othello. All are very straight forward maps with 4 mains, you can really learn your footing in Brood War with these.

I would also suggest Longinus, it's a really nice map that I enjoyed playing on.
You can also find quite a few people who are willing to play on Longinus, so no worries there.
Crunchums
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
United States11144 Posts
July 13 2010 10:52 GMT
#38
A year later, what current maps are good for learning?
I'm looking to play mostly ZvT and up till this point I've been using mostly Fighting Spirit but it feels really hard to defend any expos beyond my nat. Is that just a part of ZvT in general or should I be practicing on a different map?
Also should I use a different map for learning ZvP?
brood war for life, brood war forever
serenidite
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Korea (South)505 Posts
July 13 2010 11:09 GMT
#39
i personally like HBR. but for zergs it might be hard securing that third gas.

fighting spirit - solid 4 player macro map
match point - the 'destination' of this season
" Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway."
krndandaman
Profile Joined August 2009
Mozambique16569 Posts
July 13 2010 12:38 GMT
#40
--- Nuked ---
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