i can't help but feel that laddering is a terrible way to practice. it discourages experimentation and variation in builds. you play a person once, then move on. what i would like to start doing is playing multiple best of five series' each day as an alternative to ladder. in addition to allowing both players to use less standard (more risky) builds, this would also help both players understanding of the 'mind games' behind any best of X series.

the problem with this is finding multiple people around my skill level willing to play a bo5 on iccup at most times, and that is the purpose of this blog. if you are around D+/C-/low C and want to start playing games like this instead of on the ladder, post in the thread or PM me and we'll see if we can't get some sort of system going.

Athos

United States2484 Posts

August 11 2009 01:04 GMT

I'll play with you, I'm a D,D+ player on iccup. I agree, laddering is great if you want to work out kinks and mechanics in your play but its bad if you want to fuck around and try new things. In this respect having a clan can be really helpful.

Cube

Canada777 Posts

August 11 2009 01:07 GMT

On August 11 2009 10:04 Athos wrote:
I'll play with you, I'm a D,D+ player on iccup. I agree, laddering is great if you want to work out kinks and mechanics in your play but its bad if you want to fuck around and try new things. In this respect having a clan can be really helpful.

my clan died and we never really did anything anyway (

)

ill be in op irc as 404.cube if you want to play now ^_^

404.Delirium

United States1190 Posts

August 11 2009 01:07 GMT

This would be a good place to start: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=66983

Mass laddering has worked fine for me. If you want to get better and experiment, don't worry about your record. Just play

I do enjoy having a practice partner at my level or higher in all of my main-race match ups, though.

YPang

United States4024 Posts

August 11 2009 01:15 GMT

Are you terran? Do you TvT? we should do TvT BO5's, my TvT is like Low C Max... so we should be able to create some decent games.

Cube

Canada777 Posts

August 11 2009 01:16 GMT

i do TvT. i would be up for that. (should i add you on smi.gladstone?)

GoShox

United States1844 Posts

August 11 2009 01:17 GMT

Even when laddering, after the game (or at the end) just ask for a re. Or at the start of your first game, say something like 'hey wanna go three/five game series?' It's not uncommon for players to play up to like 7 games at a time against each other on a ladder. I've seen that happen on the matchlists of top players, it probably helps more than playing just one game against a bunch of different people.

Revabug

United Kingdom147 Posts

August 11 2009 01:55 GMT

Yeah I feel the same about laddering but more so in you never play the same thing twice in a row. If you lose vs for example 2 port wraith, watch the replay and go to ladder again chances are you won't be able to improve on it because you'll face something entirely different, and the cycle continues. Guess that's kinda different actually

Anyway I'm a D+ Zerg if you want to play - /f add Revabug/Hundredth on iCCup/op irc

404.Delirium

United States1190 Posts

August 11 2009 02:26 GMT

I've been pretty terrible on top of inactive lately, but I'll work up my PvT with you

That's the hardest matchup for me to stay decent in when I'm not playing a lot.