• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 09:37
CET 15:37
KST 23:37
  • 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
Rongyi Cup S3 - RO16 Preview3herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational10SC2 All-Star Invitational: Tournament Preview5RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview8RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0
Community News
Weekly Cups (Jan 12-18): herO, MaxPax, Solar win0BSL Season 2025 - Full Overview and Conclusion8Weekly Cups (Jan 5-11): Clem wins big offline, Trigger upsets4$21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7)20Weekly Cups (Dec 29-Jan 4): Protoss rolls, 2v2 returns7
StarCraft 2
General
PhD study /w SC2 - help with a survey! Oliveira Would Have Returned If EWC Continued StarCraft 2 not at the Esports World Cup 2026 [Short Story] The Last GSL Stellar Fest "01" Jersey Charity Auction
Tourneys
$21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7) OSC Season 13 World Championship $70 Prize Pool Ladder Legends Academy Weekly Open! SC2 All-Star Invitational: Jan 17-18 Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament
Strategy
Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[A] Starcraft Sound Mod
External Content
Mutation # 509 Doomsday Report Mutation # 508 Violent Night Mutation # 507 Well Trained Mutation # 506 Warp Zone
Brood War
General
Fantasy's Q&A video [ASL21] Potential Map Candidates BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BW General Discussion Gypsy to Korea
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues Azhi's Colosseum - Season 2 Small VOD Thread 2.0 [BSL21] Non-Korean Championship - Starts Jan 10
Strategy
Current Meta Simple Questions, Simple Answers Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2 Game Theory for Starcraft
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Beyond All Reason Awesome Games Done Quick 2026!
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
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread NASA and the Private Sector Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club! The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How Esports Advertising Shap…
TrAiDoS
My 2025 Magic: The Gathering…
DARKING
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1467 users

How do you macro?

Forum Index > BW General
Post a Reply
1 2 3 Next All
Pacman234
Profile Joined December 2010
United States88 Posts
January 30 2011 02:01 GMT
#1
I just got BroodWar a month ago, and downloaded iccup 2 days ago. Obviously, I did not have good macro when i start, and i still dont. so basically, how do you macro? How can i keep my money low? I just did a computer game where i attacked right before his small push comes, and then i had over 4k minerals and 800 gas. How do i spend it?

I had 5 racks, 1 factory, and 2 starports (but keep in mind i suck, and didnt have all of this at the start or producing all the time), i was constantly producing workers, and never got supply blocked, but GODDANG do i need to macro!

What can you afford on 2 bases, and what do you hotkey? I only use 1 hotkey for all barracks, 1 for all facts, and 1 for all ports. Should I use more? My bar gets filled up.

Please, post in this thread if u can help, or have the same problem.
iamho
Profile Joined June 2009
United States3347 Posts
January 30 2011 02:05 GMT
#2
Don't bother hotkeying buildings at all after early game

You can set f2-f4 for certain locations(shift+f2, etc), i.e one of your macro area, another for your rally point
hotkeys 1-9 should be army + scans
ZeroChrome
Profile Joined September 2010
Canada1001 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:10:34
January 30 2011 02:10 GMT
#3
IIRC terran can afford up to 9 barracks and 2 starports on 2 bases if you have enough SCVs, but you dont want to do that. Optimally you want 6 barracks/1 factory/1 starport OR 6 barracks/2 starports.

As for hotkeys use the f buttons. Plan ahead and build all your production facilities in one area so you can fit them all on one screen. Then bind that screen to either f2, f3, or f4. Bind your rally point area to another f key as well. That way you can easily go back to your macro area and build units quickly without having to scroll around. Then just train yourself to go back to that area every X seconds so that your production cycle stays on track.
Forward
ArvickHero
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
10387 Posts
January 30 2011 02:11 GMT
#4
6-9 Gateways from early-midgame, 0 robo. 9 Stargate in PvZ

once I get more than 4 gates I start using f2-f3
Writerptrk
Luddite
Profile Blog Joined April 2007
United States2315 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:11:50
January 30 2011 02:11 GMT
#5
This is how I macro:[image loading]
Can't believe I'm still here playing this same game
alffla
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Hong Kong20321 Posts
January 30 2011 02:14 GMT
#6
people usually use 1-4 for unit hotkey gruops and 5-0 for buildings

so 1a2a3a4a 5m6m7m or somethnig like that (building marines lulz) then if terran usually 9and 0 are for scans for the 2 scans at ur 2 CCs.
Graphicssavior[gm] : What is a “yawn” rape ;; Masumune - It was the year of the pig for those fucking defilers. Chill - A clinic you say? okum: SC without Korean yelling is like porn without sex. konamix: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!
WuzzupPeeps
Profile Joined October 2009
130 Posts
January 30 2011 02:20 GMT
#7
I'm a zerg and I use 67890 for initial 5 hatches, later hatches i either put it besides my hotkey 8 hatchery (which is my third inbase hatchery zvt) or beside my hotkey 6 hatchery (which is my main hatch in zvp) so i can quickly start using those.

I have a similar although not really optimal style for terran and protoss, I keep the production buildings around my main cc/nexus and I double click 6 everytime and i start clicking away. I never used the F keys because my fingers feel awkward trying to press them :/ But for optimised play I do strongly suggest you get used to using the F keys
therockmanxx
Profile Joined July 2010
Peru1174 Posts
January 30 2011 02:21 GMT
#8
Move army Then move ur screen back to ur production facilities
Just click your buildings manually and use them is not that difficult O.o
4k Minerals ... whts ur apm 50 or u just play sc2 xD
Tekken ProGamer
Ilikestarcraft
Profile Blog Joined November 2004
Korea (South)17733 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:30:04
January 30 2011 02:23 GMT
#9
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=63183#2

Just add raxes when you need the money. I don't really know anyone who hotkeys their facts and ports. You can do it if you want. Its just usually you end up using 1-5/6 for your army and 098 for scan you usually only have 1 or 2 keys left to use, that most people just hotkey one of their raxes because your facts/ports will usually be in the general location of your raxes anyways. You can use one of the fkeys for that too.
"Nana is a goddess. Or at very least, Nana is my goddess." - KazeHydra
Spekulatius
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany2413 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:33:52
January 30 2011 02:28 GMT
#10
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons which my left hand normally hovers over?
I always wondered how people could use the buttons 7+. I'm kinda confined to 1-6, it works fine, but I'm curious. Anyone?
Always smile~
Pacman234
Profile Joined December 2010
United States88 Posts
January 30 2011 02:31 GMT
#11
ty guys, especially for the f2-f4 trick OMG FREAKING JIZZ IN MAH PANTS!
Ilikestarcraft
Profile Blog Joined November 2004
Korea (South)17733 Posts
January 30 2011 02:32 GMT
#12
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons, that it normally hovers over?

I don't get what you are saying. You mean how do you hotkey something to zero?
"Nana is a goddess. Or at very least, Nana is my goddess." - KazeHydra
puppykiller
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States3137 Posts
January 30 2011 02:34 GMT
#13
you have to memorize the unit completion times. Also watch an fpvod or something where you can see how someone with experience fits macro into their play.
Why would I play sctoo when I can play BW?
lyAsakura
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States1414 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:38:46
January 30 2011 02:37 GMT
#14
On January 30 2011 11:05 iamho wrote:
Don't bother hotkeying buildings at all after early game

You can set f2-f4 for certain locations(shift+f2, etc), i.e one of your macro area, another for your rally point
hotkeys 1-9 should be army + scans


What I do.
I do feel wrong though, when I see random progamers replays and they are scrolling through two production facilities the entire game, although I really don't see the point



On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons which my left hand normally hovers over?
I always wondered how people could use the buttons 7+. I'm kinda confined to 1-6, it works fine, but I'm curious. Anyone?


You just reach over and press it. Don't put army into those keys. Put stuff you only need to use occasionally like scans, dropships, scouting rax, etc. Jaedong doesn't use 8-0, so you're not the only one. There is no real secret, just hand accuracy on the keyboard.
WeMade FOX would be a deadly SC2 team.
Spekulatius
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany2413 Posts
January 30 2011 02:37 GMT
#15
On January 30 2011 11:32 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons, that it normally hovers over?

I don't get what you are saying. You mean how do you hotkey something to zero?


I guess I phrased it wrong. Sure I can bind it, but it's just not practical at all for me to use it from then on, because if I try to reach the hotkeys (7-0) blindly, I miss them or I have to move my hand and then miss the other buttons that I came from (wasd,123etc).
Always smile~
Ideas
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States8152 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:41:33
January 30 2011 02:40 GMT
#16
On January 30 2011 11:37 Spekulatius wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 11:32 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons, that it normally hovers over?

I don't get what you are saying. You mean how do you hotkey something to zero?


I guess I phrased it wrong. Sure I can bind it, but it's just not practical at all for me to use it from then on, because if I try to reach the hotkeys (7-0) blindly, I miss them or I have to move my hand and then miss the other buttons that I came from (wasd,123etc).


the keys on the right half of the keyboard take a lot longer to get used to pressing than the left half. even today i still have problems hitting 8,9,0 (not to mention u,i,o) on the keyboard when im in a hurry.

when i first started i actually put a piece of tape on the U key since i kept missing it in the heat of battle and losing all my lurkers because they wouldnt burrow lol. eventually i got to the point where i was able to take it off
Free Palestine
puppykiller
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States3137 Posts
January 30 2011 02:41 GMT
#17
On January 30 2011 11:37 Spekulatius wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 11:32 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons, that it normally hovers over?

I don't get what you are saying. You mean how do you hotkey something to zero?


I guess I phrased it wrong. Sure I can bind it, but it's just not practical at all for me to use it from then on, because if I try to reach the hotkeys (7-0) blindly, I miss them or I have to move my hand and then miss the other buttons that I came from (wasd,123etc).


You have to practice hitting these keys till you can do it. personaly I put some tape on the 8 key to make it easier to tell where the other kes around it are.

Im suprised this hasnt been moved to strategy yet considering it's title is a dead give away.
Why would I play sctoo when I can play BW?
Spekulatius
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany2413 Posts
January 30 2011 02:42 GMT
#18
On January 30 2011 11:40 Ideas wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 11:37 Spekulatius wrote:
On January 30 2011 11:32 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons, that it normally hovers over?

I don't get what you are saying. You mean how do you hotkey something to zero?


I guess I phrased it wrong. Sure I can bind it, but it's just not practical at all for me to use it from then on, because if I try to reach the hotkeys (7-0) blindly, I miss them or I have to move my hand and then miss the other buttons that I came from (wasd,123etc).


the keys on the right half of the keyboard take a lot longer to get used to pressing than the left half. even today i still have problems hitting 8,9,0 (not to mention u,i,o) on the keyboard when im in a hurry.

when i first started i actually put a piece of tape on the U key since i kept missing it in the heat of battle and losing all my lurkers because they wouldnt burrow lol. eventually i got to the point where i was able to take it off


So I'm not the only one encountering problems there... Good to know
Always smile~
Sentenal
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States12398 Posts
January 30 2011 02:43 GMT
#19
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons which my left hand normally hovers over?
I always wondered how people could use the buttons 7+. I'm kinda confined to 1-6, it works fine, but I'm curious. Anyone?

I imagine that Zerg and Terran wouldn't use the 0 hotkey that much. They probably would use it for stuff like scans, or other things they seldom need to us, but never for control groups or anything. Protoss often uses it for Nexus', since 0 is right next to the p key (for probes). When you need to press it, you actually move your hand over! lol
"Apparently, Sentenal is a paragon of friendship and tolerance. " - Ech0ne
Spekulatius
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany2413 Posts
January 30 2011 02:49 GMT
#20
On January 30 2011 11:43 Sentenal wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons which my left hand normally hovers over?
I always wondered how people could use the buttons 7+. I'm kinda confined to 1-6, it works fine, but I'm curious. Anyone?

I imagine that Zerg and Terran wouldn't use the 0 hotkey that much. They probably would use it for stuff like scans, or other things they seldom need to us, but never for control groups or anything. Protoss often uses it for Nexus', since 0 is right next to the p key (for probes). When you need to press it, you actually move your hand over! lol


So my lack of manual dexterity, that prevented me from learning the guitar when I was young, comes haunting me again?

Dammit.
Always smile~
1 2 3 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
OSC
13:00
King of the Hill #235
SteadfastSC123
iHatsuTV 11
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Rex 123
SteadfastSC 123
Creator 67
MindelVK 6
StarCraft: Brood War
Rain 12235
firebathero 3771
Shuttle 1096
Jaedong 956
Horang2 687
Larva 667
Mini 617
EffOrt 410
Hyuk 396
BeSt 276
[ Show more ]
Zeus 177
Last 144
Soulkey 132
hero 117
Sharp 96
sorry 85
Hyun 78
Sea.KH 71
Hm[arnc] 70
Mind 41
Yoon 37
Backho 36
yabsab 28
zelot 25
ToSsGirL 23
910 20
Noble 18
scan(afreeca) 17
Shinee 13
Shine 11
Bale 11
ZergMaN 10
Terrorterran 8
Icarus 5
eros_byul 1
Stormgate
BeoMulf43
Dota 2
qojqva2392
canceldota79
Counter-Strike
byalli440
edward146
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King43
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor313
Other Games
B2W.Neo2260
singsing2089
Hui .280
crisheroes172
Sick157
XaKoH 132
KnowMe30
Organizations
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 18 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Adnapsc2 10
• Kozan
• Laughngamez YouTube
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• sooper7s
• Migwel
• intothetv
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
StarCraft: Brood War
• blackmanpl 41
• Michael_bg 5
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 4404
League of Legends
• Jankos4161
• TFBlade934
• Stunt524
Upcoming Events
BSL 21
23m
QiaoGege vs Sziky
Dewalt vs Bonyth
Mihu vs TBD
Replay Cast
9h 23m
Replay Cast
18h 23m
RongYI Cup
20h 23m
Maru vs Cyan
Solar vs Krystianer
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
21h 23m
BSL 21
1d
Replay Cast
1d 9h
Wardi Open
1d 23h
Monday Night Weeklies
2 days
OSC
2 days
[ Show More ]
WardiTV Invitational
2 days
WardiTV Invitational
3 days
The PondCast
4 days
Korean StarCraft League
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Escore Tournament S1: W5
OSC Championship Season 13
NA Kuram Kup

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Rongyi Cup S3
Underdog Cup #3
Tektek Cup #1
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025

Upcoming

Acropolis #4 - TS4
Escore Tournament S1: W6
Escore Tournament S1: W7
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
Nations Cup 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
ESL Pro League Season 23
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 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.