• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 21:31
CEST 03:31
KST 10:31
  • 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
[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: In A Tizzy7[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Holy Diver5[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Rough Waters10[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Siren's Call8[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Summer's End9
Community News
Weekly Cups (Sep 13-20): herO scores triple1BSL Season 235Weekly Cups (Sep 7-12): SHIN, ByuN, MaxPax double down1StarCraft open world shooter announced at BlizzCon101Weekly Cups (Aug 30-Sep 7): herO thrives amid growing schism10
StarCraft 2
General
How do you feel about the StarCraft shooter announcement at BlizzCon 2026? Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool The Death of Cheese: From a Professional Cheeser Weekly Cups (Sep 13-20): herO scores triple Balance hotfix patch 5.0.16b (July 16)
Tourneys
2026 GSTL Announcement Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL Revival: Season 6 - Qualifiers and Main Event RSL goes to London! 2026 Offline Finals Nov 21-22 SC2 AI Tournament 2026 Fall
Strategy
[H] ZvP Mid-Late Game: Stalkers Collossi HT
Custom Maps
Nexus Wars 2021 GUIDE [M] (2) Industrial Park
External Content
Mutation # 544 Double Trouble The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 543 Enhanced Defenses Mutation # 542 The Ascended
Brood War
General
Bot on ladder new ranked ladder hack? New 3v3 BGH Ladder (and more) on ShieldBattery! [ASL22] Ro8 Preview: In A Tizzy an AI researcher's take on the ladder bot
Tourneys
[ASL22] Ro8 Day 1 [IPSL] IPSL is Back With Winter 26-27! [BSL23] SM: Ret vs TerrOr -> DragOn vs StRyKeR [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Cliff Jump Revisited (1 in a 1000 strategy) Replay Review Process - What do you do? Simple Questions, Simple Answers Odyssey Mineral Stack Saturation
Other Games
General Games
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread EVE Corporation Diablo IV
Dota 2
Dota 2 Champions League Season 3 Begins April 25! Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Artificial Intelligence Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine All you football fans (soccer)! Russo-Ukrainian War Thread
Fan Clubs
MarineLorD Fan Club The Creator Fan Club The ShoWTimE Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece Diablo Animated Series on Netflix
Sports
Football (Soccer) Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
Gaming Intensity, Problemati…
TrAiDoS
38 yo Retired SWE loo…
PurE)Rabbit-SF
Can Bots Beat Pros?? Starcr…
namkraft
[meme] I finally understa…
LUCKY_NOOB
Regacy Esports:Our Goa…
regacyesports
Dreaming of BW patches (mod…
c3rberUs
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 9404 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
Norway28894 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 8h 30m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RuFF_SC2 118
SpeCial 62
WinterStarcraft15
EnDerr 4
StarCraft: Brood War
Rain 2083
GuemChi 1548
Artosis 623
Shuttle 311
910 35
NaDa 9
Dota 2
monkeys_forever513
NeuroSwarm162
febbydoto17
Counter-Strike
taco 129
minikerr21
Super Smash Bros
hungrybox397
Mew2King32
amsayoshi30
Other Games
summit1g10633
Liquid`RaSZi4312
JimRising 640
shahzam551
C9.Mang0314
Day[9].tv276
Maynarde165
Livibee101
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1009
BasetradeTV42
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 98
• davetesta14
• mYiSmile18
• intothetv
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota21890
League of Legends
• Stunt172
Other Games
• Scarra684
• Day9tv276
Upcoming Events
Sparkling Tuna Cup
8h 30m
Afreeca Starleague
8h 30m
Light vs EffOrt
OSC
10h 30m
PiGosaur Cup
22h 30m
Kung Fu Cup
1d 9h
The PondCast
2 days
Replay Cast
2 days
Korean StarCraft League
4 days
CranKy Ducklings
4 days
GSL
5 days
[ Show More ]
Yamato Cup
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Afreeca Starleague
6 days
WardiTV Weekly
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Super Anchor Qualifying S3
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Big Dog Cup 2026 Div 1

Ongoing

ASL Season 22
CSL 2026 AUTUMN (S22)
Acropolis #5
Acropolis #5 - GSA
Calamity Invitational
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #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

Upcoming

Acropolis #5 - GSB
Acropolis #5 - GSC
BSL Season 23
SC4ALL II: Brood War
BSL 23: Non-Korean Championship
HSC XXX
Stellar Fest 2: Lunar Cup
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
Copium Cup
PGL Major Singapore 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 6
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
IEM Beijing 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 5
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
1win Private Club #2
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #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.