• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 09:14
CEST 15:14
KST 22:14
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt2: News Flash8[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt1: New Chaos0Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - Presented by Monster Energy12ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT30Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book20
Community News
Weekly Cups (March 23-29): herO takes triple5Aligulac acquired by REPLAYMAN.com/Stego Research3Weekly Cups (March 16-22): herO doubles, Cure surprises3Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool49Weekly Cups (March 9-15): herO, Clem, ByuN win4
StarCraft 2
General
What mix of new & old maps do you want in the next ladder pool? (SC2) herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational Weekly Cups (March 23-29): herO takes triple Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - Presented by Monster Energy Aligulac acquired by REPLAYMAN.com/Stego Research
Tourneys
Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL Season 4 announced for March-April StarCraft Evolution League (SC Evo Biweekly) WardiTV Mondays World University TeamLeague (500$+) | Signups Open
Strategy
Custom Maps
[M] (2) Frigid Storage Publishing has been re-enabled! [Feb 24th 2026]
External Content
Mutation # 519 Inner Power The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 518 Radiation Zone Mutation # 517 Distant Threat
Brood War
General
[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt2: News Flash BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Pros React To: SoulKey vs Ample ASL21 General Discussion RepMastered™: replay sharing and analyzer site
Tourneys
[ASL21] Ro24 Group E [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL21] Ro24 Group D [ASL21] Ro24 Group C
Strategy
What's the deal with APM & what's its true value Fighting Spirit mining rates Simple Questions, Simple Answers
Other Games
General Games
Starcraft Tabletop Miniature Game Nintendo Switch Thread General RTS Discussion Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Darkest Dungeon
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
G2 just beat GenG in First stand
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine The Games Industry And ATVI European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books Movie Discussion!
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion Cricket [SPORT] Tokyo Olympics 2021 Thread General nutrition recommendations
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
[G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Money Laundering In Video Ga…
TrAiDoS
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
FS++
Kraekkling
Shocked by a laser…
Spydermine0240
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2865 users

Has anyone experienced this?

Blogs > ShinSa.NokCha
Post a Reply
NokCha
Profile Blog Joined January 2007
Korea (South)410 Posts
May 24 2009 22:08 GMT
#1
I just recently came back to starcraft from taking a pretty long break because of college.

What i noticed was that i actually improved from taking a real long break o_O. Has anyone experienced this? My apm went from 170-180 to 200-215. Although i've mainly played python for my games, i feel like i understand the game alot better than i did before.

Anyways, is there any players out there who are willing to help me get familiar with the new maps? My iccup ign is NrG.NokCha so if theres any players out there who are C+++ that are willing to help me familiarize myself on the new maps thatd be great.

Liquid`Jinro
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
Sweden33719 Posts
May 24 2009 22:12 GMT
#2
Yeah, I've had the same feeling a bunch of times. Maybe not after REALLY long breaks, but after breaks at least.
Moderatortell the guy that interplanatar interaction is pivotal to terrans variety of optionitudals in the pre-midgame preperatories as well as the protosstinal deterriggation of elite zergling strikes - Stimey n | Formerly FrozenArbiter
ShoCkeyy
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
7815 Posts
May 24 2009 22:13 GMT
#3
for some reason this happens to me a lot lol...
Life?
obesechicken13
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States10467 Posts
May 24 2009 22:18 GMT
#4
there was a thread about this. One theory was that you care more about your games, but that care goes away later.
I think in our modern age technology has evolved to become more addictive. The things that don't give us pleasure aren't used as much. Work was never meant to be fun, but doing it makes us happier in the long run.
ilistis
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
United States828 Posts
May 24 2009 22:19 GMT
#5
That's how I got to D+.
"The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."-William Faulkner *_*_*_Kolll FAN_*_*_*
Tyrant
Profile Joined September 2003
Korea (South)234 Posts
May 24 2009 22:23 GMT
#6
There's a scientific term for this phenomenon, but I don't remember what it's called. I haven't experienced it with playing SC, but playing cello and piano I definitely have. I've taken a 3 month break from the cello and when I picked it up I could play certain pieces I had a lot of trouble with much easier.

It supports the idea of everything in moderation, even the things that we consider "good for us".
ZoW
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States3983 Posts
May 24 2009 22:27 GMT
#7
It's related to functions in the brain. Example:

I play fighting games, and try to practice combos and stuff when I wake up/before i go to sleep. This allows muscle memory to "settle" in and gives your brain time to process the information, so after a while it feels more natural and your faster than you originally are.
the courage to be a lazy bum
Fontong
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States6454 Posts
May 24 2009 22:31 GMT
#8
Hi nokcha! Your drawings are cute.

Yep I've experienced this before, but actually when I practice flute I prefer to just be hot hot hot.
[SECRET FONT] "Dragoon bunker"
PH
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6173 Posts
May 24 2009 22:32 GMT
#9
It's only related to muscle memory? Like technique/mechanics type stuff?

That doesn't explain a whole lot.
Hello
Liquid`Drone
Profile Joined September 2002
Norway28781 Posts
May 24 2009 22:45 GMT
#10
ive had apm improvements after long breaks but other aspects of the game ive had to sort of, re-get, especially with new maps.

but in games where im trying my hardest now i consistently have 200 apm, back when I was at my best I usually wasnt above 160.
Moderator
Hammy
Profile Joined January 2009
France828 Posts
May 24 2009 22:49 GMT
#11
I think there are too many factors that come into play in SC to stick this on muscle memory. Like for example, why is it that when you try a completely different build your apm doesn't drop? Sometimes it actually goes up!
Muscle memory is extremely important in SC, but when it comes to what the OP is talking about, I think that when you play a lot you start playing a bit brainlessly (and sometimes even carelessly). When you come back from a break you're fresh and more focused.
R3condite
Profile Joined August 2008
Korea (South)1541 Posts
May 24 2009 22:49 GMT
#12
mmm nope i got worse

haha
ggyo...
anderoo
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada1876 Posts
May 24 2009 23:12 GMT
#13
yeah i've noticed after a short break certain aspects of the game feel more simplified, i guess you've just had time to process the game more
Nytefish
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United Kingdom4282 Posts
May 24 2009 23:29 GMT
#14
Many times, not only do I play better, I have more fun too.

Well at first you're kinda sloppy and mess up a lot but it comes back quickly, at least for me.
No I'm never serious.
Racenilatr
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
United States2756 Posts
May 24 2009 23:47 GMT
#15
That happens to me from time to time
Seraphim
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
United States4467 Posts
May 25 2009 00:46 GMT
#16
Happens to me also.
Hermes | Bisu[Shield] Fighting~!
Dromar
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States2145 Posts
May 25 2009 01:37 GMT
#17
Yeah I do this all the time. Taking a week or so break from the game, and thinking about it rather than playing it, really helps you understand matchups better, and keep your head while you're ingame. Thinking about your mechanics can improve them too.
Racenilatr
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
United States2756 Posts
May 25 2009 02:20 GMT
#18
I like to think of it as the stuff you learned has to be given time to sink into your head so that you can understnad and play faster with a more mental-esque about your moves. I sometimes convince myself that its good to have breaks and therefore I take a bit too many extended ones ^^
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
WardiTV Team League
11:00
Group B
WardiTV677
IndyStarCraft 161
TKL 159
Liquipedia
Sparkling Tuna Cup
10:00
Weekly #125
CranKy Ducklings135
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
IndyStarCraft 161
TKL 159
SortOf 122
ProTech116
Rex 87
LamboSC2 9
StarCraft: Brood War
Flash 4065
Bisu 3405
EffOrt 924
actioN 481
Mini 453
Larva 426
Stork 419
firebathero 417
Snow 262
Hyuk 253
[ Show more ]
PianO 220
Soma 135
Dewaltoss 89
Sharp 86
hero 82
ToSsGirL 74
Backho 68
Sea.KH 64
HiyA 59
sSak 58
Barracks 57
JulyZerg 55
[sc1f]eonzerg 43
sorry 26
Noble 22
Bale 19
GoRush 14
Shine 13
SilentControl 9
Icarus 7
Terrorterran 4
Dota 2
qojqva828
BananaSlamJamma550
syndereN211
Counter-Strike
pashabiceps876
kennyS679
zeus461
byalli442
x6flipin322
markeloff123
edward72
oskar46
Other Games
singsing2307
B2W.Neo1050
Liquid`RaSZi937
hiko447
Lowko303
crisheroes249
XaKoH 218
Fuzer 144
Sick100
QueenE85
Mew2King78
ArmadaUGS48
Organizations
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 19
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• musti20045 24
• CranKy Ducklings SOOP4
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• iopq 1
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV824
League of Legends
• Nemesis2467
• TFBlade542
Upcoming Events
PiGosaur Cup
10h 46m
Replay Cast
19h 46m
Afreeca Starleague
20h 46m
BeSt vs Leta
Queen vs Jaedong
Replay Cast
1d 10h
The PondCast
1d 20h
OSC
2 days
RSL Revival
2 days
TriGGeR vs Cure
ByuN vs Rogue
Replay Cast
3 days
RSL Revival
3 days
Maru vs MaxPax
BSL
4 days
[ Show More ]
RSL Revival
4 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
5 days
BSL
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Acropolis #4 - TS6
WardiTV Winter 2026
NationLESS Cup

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
CSL Elite League 2026
CSL Season 20: Qualifier 1
ASL Season 21
RSL Revival: Season 4
Nations Cup 2026
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual

Upcoming

CSL Season 20: Qualifier 2
Escore Tournament S2: W1
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
StarCraft2 Community Team League 2026 Spring
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.