• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 11:33
CET 17:33
KST 01:33
  • 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
RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners12Intel X Team Liquid Seoul event: Showmatches and Meet the Pros10[ASL20] Finals Preview: Arrival13
Community News
[TLMC] Fall/Winter 2025 Ladder Map Rotation13Weekly Cups (Nov 3-9): Clem Conquers in Canada4SC: Evo Complete - Ranked Ladder OPEN ALPHA8StarCraft, SC2, HotS, WC3, Returning to Blizzcon!45$5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship7
StarCraft 2
General
[TLMC] Fall/Winter 2025 Ladder Map Rotation Mech is the composition that needs teleportation t RotterdaM "Serral is the GOAT, and it's not close" RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners
Tourneys
RSL Revival: Season 3 Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Constellation Cup - Main Event - Stellar Fest Tenacious Turtle Tussle Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2)
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 499 Chilling Adaptation Mutation # 498 Wheel of Misfortune|Cradle of Death Mutation # 497 Battle Haredened Mutation # 496 Endless Infection
Brood War
General
FlaSh on: Biggest Problem With SnOw's Playstyle BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ What happened to TvZ on Retro? SnOw's ASL S20 Finals Review BW General Discussion
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues Small VOD Thread 2.0 [BSL21] RO32 Group D - Sunday 21:00 CET [BSL21] RO32 Group C - Saturday 21:00 CET
Strategy
PvZ map balance Current Meta Simple Questions, Simple Answers How to stay on top of macro?
Other Games
General Games
Clair Obscur - Expedition 33 Should offensive tower rushing be viable in RTS games? Path of Exile Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread
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
TL Mafia Community Thread SPIRED by.ASL Mafia {211640}
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Artificial Intelligence Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread Korean Music Discussion Series you have seen recently...
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion NBA General Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023 TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
SC2 Client Relocalization [Change SC2 Language] Linksys AE2500 USB WIFI keeps disconnecting Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Dyadica Gospel – a Pulp No…
Hildegard
Coffee x Performance in Espo…
TrAiDoS
Saturation point
Uldridge
DnB/metal remix FFO Mick Go…
ImbaTosS
Reality "theory" prov…
perfectspheres
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2388 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)17731 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)17731 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 States8143 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
Next event in 3h 27m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
TKL 377
SteadfastSC 112
Railgan 66
MindelVK 27
IndyStarCraft 13
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 26486
Horang2 1791
EffOrt 1191
GuemChi 928
Soma 701
Mini 578
Stork 487
hero 287
firebathero 200
Rush 183
[ Show more ]
Killer 146
Barracks 91
Snow 82
sas.Sziky 73
Last 63
Sharp 62
Mind 58
yabsab 51
sorry 36
zelot 30
scan(afreeca) 20
Dota 2
Gorgc5945
singsing2493
qojqva2273
Dendi924
XcaliburYe121
LuMiX0
League of Legends
Reynor20
Counter-Strike
oskar98
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor515
Liquid`Hasu235
Other Games
B2W.Neo1445
RotterdaM414
DeMusliM378
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream10342
PGL Dota 2 - Secondary Stream3226
Other Games
EGCTV738
WardiTV495
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Reevou 6
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• FirePhoenix3
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• Ler107
Other Games
• WagamamaTV363
• Shiphtur105
Upcoming Events
BSL 21
3h 27m
JDConan vs Semih
Dragon vs Dienmax
Tech vs NewOcean
TerrOr vs Artosis
IPSL
3h 27m
Dewalt vs WolFix
eOnzErG vs Bonyth
Replay Cast
6h 27m
Wardi Open
19h 27m
Monday Night Weeklies
1d
Replay Cast
1d 6h
WardiTV Korean Royale
1d 19h
BSL: GosuLeague
2 days
The PondCast
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
[ Show More ]
RSL Revival
3 days
BSL: GosuLeague
4 days
RSL Revival
4 days
WardiTV Korean Royale
4 days
RSL Revival
5 days
WardiTV Korean Royale
5 days
IPSL
6 days
Julia vs Artosis
JDConan vs DragOn
RSL Revival
6 days
Wardi Open
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-11-14
Stellar Fest: Constellation Cup
Eternal Conflict S1

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
SOOP Univ League 2025
YSL S2
BSL Season 21
CSCL: Masked Kings S3
SLON Tour Season 2
RSL Revival: Season 3
META Madness #9
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025

Upcoming

BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
HSC XXVIII
RSL Offline Finals
WardiTV 2025
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026: Closed Qualifier
eXTREMESLAND 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
SL Budapest Major 2025
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 © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.