• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 20:56
CEST 02:56
KST 09:56
  • 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
Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners7Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection7Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview8[ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies21
Community News
ZeroSpace at Steam NextFest - Last free demo16Weekly Cups (June 8-14): Clem and Solar double, PTR tested0RSL: S6 Finals played at BlizzCon 202611Douyu Cup 2026: $20,000 Legends Event (June 26-28)10[BSL22] Non-Korean Championship from 13 to 28 June4
StarCraft 2
General
StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th Daily SC2 Player Grid - feedback wanted J188 – Nhà Cái Cá Cược Trực Tuyến Đẳng Cấp Châu Á Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview TL Poll: How do you feel about the 5.0.16 PTR balance changes?
Tourneys
GSL CK #4 20-21th June Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2) Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League Douyu Cup 2026: $20,000 Legends Event (June 26-28)
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
Work In Progress Melee Maps [D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3
External Content
Mutation # 530 One For All The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 529 Opportunities Unleashed Mutation # 528 Infection Detected
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Battle cruiser feet vs Carrier fleet Fact based Zerg Upgrade Tier List vespene.gg — BW replays in browser Data needed
Tourneys
CSLAN 4 is Coming! [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Small VOD Thread 2.0 The Casual Games of the Week Thread
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Relatively freeroll strategies Creating a full chart of Zerg builds Why doesn't anyone use restoration?
Other Games
General Games
ZeroSpace at Steam NextFest - Last free demo Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread ZeroSpace Megathread
Dota 2
Looking for a Dota Mentor Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia {D-2} Late to making 20.06.2026 memorable [p]94718
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread [H]Internet/Gaming Cafe Tips and Tricks The Games Industry And ATVI UK Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The HerO Fan Club! The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [TV/BOOK] *SPOILERS* Game of Thrones Discussion
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion Cricket [SPORT]
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Facing Challenges in Mobile App Development
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How To Predict Tilt in Espor…
TrAiDoS
An Exploration of th…
waywardstrategy
I'm an arrogant trash talke…
FlaShFTW
Gauntlet SC2: A Retrospectiv…
Ctone23
Why RTS gamers make better f…
gosubay
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 11710 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
Norway28817 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
Replay Cast
00:00
GSL CK #4 - Day 1
CranKy Ducklings101
EnkiAlexander 59
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RuFF_SC2 64
Dota 2
LuMiX1
League of Legends
Doublelift6360
Counter-Strike
summit1g10700
Other Games
PiGStarcraft4009
JimRising 495
ViBE115
Livibee98
Trikslyr73
Nina34
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1430
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 17
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 111
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Other Games
• imaqtpie1610
• Scarra850
• Shiphtur251
Upcoming Events
WardiTV Spring Champion…
10h 4m
GSL
11h 4m
Maru vs Reynor
Lambo vs Solar
IPSL
15h 4m
Hawk vs Julia
Patches Events
16h 4m
BSL22 NKC (BSL vs China)
18h 4m
Dewalt vs Messiah
Bonyth vs Mihu
TerrOr vs XuanXuan
eOnzErG vs Messiah
Jaystar vs Mihu
Dewalt vs XuanXuan
Bonyth vs TerrOr
Replay Cast
23h 4m
WardiTV Weekly
1d 10h
Monday Night Weeklies
1d 15h
Sparkling Tuna Cup
2 days
The PondCast
3 days
[ Show More ]
Douyu Cup 2020
4 days
Oliveira vs Trap
Jieshi vs XY
soO vs FanTaSy
TY vs Coffee
Douyu Cup 2020
5 days
Neeb vs Impact
MacSed vs Cyan
Scarlett vs Kelazhur
INnoVation vs Dear
Douyu Cup 2020
6 days
Maestros of the Game
6 days
herO vs Classic
Maru vs Serral
BSL22 NKC (BSL vs China)
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-06-19
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Heroes Pulsing #2

Ongoing

IPSL Spring 2026
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
YSL S3
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSL Season 21: Qualifier 1
SCTL 2026 Spring
Maestros of the Game 2
WardiTV Spring 2026
Murky Cup 2026
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
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026

Upcoming

CSL Season 21: Qualifier 2
CSL 2026 Summer (S21)
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Revival: Season 6
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
HSC XXIX
Douyu Cup 2026
BCC 2026
Light HT
Heroes Pulsing #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
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.