• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 02:21
CET 08:21
KST 16:21
  • 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
ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT28Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book19Clem wins HomeStory Cup 289HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview13Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info8
Community News
Weekly Cups (Feb 16-22): MaxPax doubles0Weekly Cups (Feb 9-15): herO doubles up2ACS replaced by "ASL Season Open" - Starts 21/0243LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals (Feb 10-16)46Weekly Cups (Feb 2-8): Classic, Solar, MaxPax win2
StarCraft 2
General
ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT How do you think the 5.0.15 balance patch (Oct 2025) for StarCraft II has affected the game? Oliveira Would Have Returned If EWC Continued Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book Weekly Cups (Feb 16-22): MaxPax doubles
Tourneys
StarCraft Evolution League (SC Evo Biweekly) Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) PIG STY FESTIVAL 7.0! (19 Feb - 1 Mar) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament How do the "codes" work in GSL?
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ? [A] Starcraft Sound Mod
External Content
Mutation # 514 Ulnar New Year The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 513 Attrition Warfare Mutation # 512 Overclocked
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ ACS replaced by "ASL Season Open" - Starts 21/02 TvZ is the most complete match up CasterMuse Youtube A cwal.gg Extension - Easily keep track of anyone
Tourneys
Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 1 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [LIVE] [S:21] ASL Season Open Day 1 Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Fighting Spirit mining rates Simple Questions, Simple Answers Zealot bombing is no longer popular? Current Meta
Other Games
General Games
Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread Beyond All Reason Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread New broswer game : STG-World
Dota 2
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 Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread Mexico's Drug War Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Ask and answer stupid questions here!
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion TL MMA Pick'em Pool 2013
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Inside the Communication of …
TrAiDoS
My 2025 Magic: The Gathering…
DARKING
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1644 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
Norway28747 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
Next event in 1h 40m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft: Brood War
GuemChi 2019
Sea 585
Tasteless 272
Snow 130
Dewaltoss 41
910 38
NaDa 14
ToSsGirL 12
sorry 11
Dota 2
febbydoto16
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K804
m0e_tv565
Other Games
summit1g8531
WinterStarcraft427
C9.Mang0309
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1070
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 13 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Light_VIP 15
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Rush1331
• Stunt576
Upcoming Events
CasterMuse Showmatch
1h 40m
Light vs Queen
WardiTV Winter Champion…
4h 40m
OSC
16h 40m
The PondCast
1d 2h
Replay Cast
1d 16h
Korean StarCraft League
2 days
CranKy Ducklings
3 days
SC Evo Complete
3 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
[ Show More ]
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Wardi Open
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-02-22
LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Acropolis #4 - TS5
Jeongseon Sooper Cup
Spring Cup 2026
WardiTV Winter 2026
PiG Sty Festival 7.0
Nations Cup 2026
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025

Upcoming

[S:21] ASL SEASON OPEN 2nd Round
[S:21] ASL SEASON OPEN 2nd Round Qualifier
ASL Season 21: Qualifier #1
ASL Season 21: Qualifier #2
Acropolis #4 - TS6
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
RSL Revival: Season 4
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
FISSURE Playground #3
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
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.