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![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Zlzyd.jpg)
Playing Random in 1v1 & 2v2
Unknown to many, Random is the fourth race of Starcraft. The Random player plays against each race differently than he would have had he not randomed. Similarly, his opponent is forced to play differently against a Random player. The biggest disadvantage of playing Random is that you don't get to specialize in a race. You get one third the practice time per race. The biggest advantages of playing Random is that rarely will you encounter cheeze, you can play greedy, scout later, and your opponent is in the dark as to what tech you are going. At a high level, opponents rarely cheeze random players because there is always the chance you random the one race the cheeze doesn't work against. One interesting fact is that there is usually a lucky race to Random. One basing is more viable because your opponent has no idea what to expect. This can make games played more unusual and interesting.
I believe there are three ways to play Random. The first way would be to play greedy against an opponent who will most likely be playing safe. The second way would be to try to surprise your enemy with tech. The third way would be to cheeze your opponent because he has no idea what type of cheeze he may be facing. In summary, a Random player can "cheeze macro", "cheeze tech", or "cheeze rush". Which option you choose to do depends on the playstyle you anticipate your opponent adhering to. Perhaps at lower levels opponents will be playing safer. Cheezes may be less likely to work. Here it is better to "cheeze macro" or "cheeze tech". However, lower skilled players are much more likely to cheeze a Random player. The worst race to play Random against is Terran. Terran will always make a fast refinery, meaning they have the most options. The best race to play Random against is Protoss.
Random is better the further away the starting locations are from each other. Your opponent will be in the dark longer depending if he doesn't scout you until he scouts the third location. However, sometimes he will luck out and find you the first spot he scouts. Assuming you send a worker out to scout at 8 supply, I will use Python as an example to explain how long it takes to discover the Random player's race. If he finds you the first spot he scouts, it wil take 1.5 minutes. If he finds you the 2spot he scouts, it will take him two minutes. If he finds you the third spot he scouts, it will take him 2.5 minutes. When playing a Zerg, he may find you quickly with his Overlord.
A Random player forces all players into creative gameplay. This can make for interesting and different gameplay when compared to standard modern builds against racepickers. In a four player game 95% of the time, if all four players chose random, there will always be two of race "x", one of race "y" and one of race "z". For example, if you and your ally are both Zerg, you know your opponents will be T and P if all Randomed. In a 1v1, where both players Random, there is a 95% chance both players random different races.
When faced with a Random opponent, a player has in head that the majority of time, that being two-thirds of the time, he will probably face a Terran or Protoss opponent. Having said this, he will tend to skimp out on low tech units and go straight to units better suited for play against a Terran or Protoss. Random players are always at a disadvantage when there is a mirror matchup because they have less expertise. There is always the slight possibility your opponent makes the wrong units against your units, an example being bionic play against your mech play.
In the following text I will give possibilities of what a Random player could do when he Randoms each different race.
---In 1v1:
*Randomed Protoss versus Zerg
rProtoss can play greedy by fast expanding, since he knows Zerg likely will most likely skimp Zerglings vs a Random player. Also, the rProtoss can try to surprise his opponent with a one base tech build.
*Randomed Protoss versus Protoss
rProtoss can play greedy and forge expand. The enemy Protoss is likely to skimp out on Zealots opting instead for Dragoons. Your Photon Cannons will hold off his Dragoons. Other possibilites include 12 Nexus or the LML Build (10 gateway at mainbase, 12 forge at mainbase, and then expand). The latter may give you more flexibility in adjusting to your opponents playstyle. Protoss can "cheeze tech" to reavers or DT drops. Finally, you can also two gate against a Protoss who will most of the time 1gate against Random.
*Randomed Protoss versus Terran
Ability to "cheeze tech" to surprise enemy or to play greedy with less fear of being rushed. Pretty normal PvT. A surprise tech here might be a Dark Templar rush.
*Randomed Terran versus Protoss
Pretty normal TvP, but the Protoss picker may have played safe and two gated. Decent Protoss players often two gate against Random players because it is their best option against 3 races.
*Randomed Terran versus Terran
rT watches out for wraiths and Vultures(and spider mines). Terran can play greedier, because his opponent will often make the mistake of not making the Siege mode upgrade first against a Random opponent. The Terran picker sometimes opens mines first which makes them more prone to going Wraiths as well. You should watch out for both.
*Randomed Terran versus Zerg
Here surprise tech is very useful. You may try to catch your opponent off guard with a M&M sunken break, Wraiths, or dropship play. Your opponent can be punished for not expanding fast enough against a Terran opponent.
*Randomed Zerg versus Zerg
This is the luckiest race to random against a Zerg. The Zerg picker player plays assuming two-thirds of the time he will be facing a Terran or Protoss opponent. rZ normally 12 hatches or 9pools since his Zerg opponent often makes the mistake of playing overly safe or overly greedy. A build like 9hatch Zerglings might catch your opponent offguard as well. The Zerg picker often 11 pools. The Randomed Zerg might do a build like Overgas for fast Mutalisks to surprise his enemy with his tech. If the Zerg picker opted for Hydralisks his tech will be inferior when compared to Mutalisks.
*Randomed Zerg versus Terran
Zerg is the luckiest race to random against a Terran. You can play greedy knowing your opponent is skimping out on early game units.
*Randomed Zerg versus Protoss
The rZ player knows early game Zealots are unlikely, so he plays a macro heavy style. Because your opponent won't usually fast expand, hydra and ling busts are very effective here. The fact the Protoss picker will rarely fast expands makes for playing against an interesting one base play style.
---In 2v2:
*Randomed Zerg & Zerg versus Zerg & Zerg
The random Zerg has the benefit of not having to scout. You try to catch opposing team offguard with mass Zerglings. ZZ vs ZZ rarely makes it much past Zerglings. If your opponents made the mistake of fast expanding, it can easily cause them to lose.
*Randomed Zerg & Zerg versus Zerg & Protoss
Best Random you can get vs ZP. You can do whatever you want. From dual 9p, 1 mass 1 mutal, to 9p and 12hatch. P will fast scout and try to make fast stargate.
*Randomed Zerg & Zerg versus Zerg & Terran
9p mass Zerglings and 12h or 12h eco and mutal. The Zerg player on the opposing team likely will make his second hatchery slower, making him vulnerable.
*Randomed Protoss & Zerg versus Protoss & Zerg
Standard 9p 2gate. Enemy team might 1gate.
*Randomed Protoss & Zerg versus Terran & Zerg
9p lair. 5zeal cannon your ally ramp.
*Randomed Protoss & Zerg versus Zerg & Zerg
Zerglings and Mutalisks with Corsairs/Speedlots/Archons. Opposing team might make the mistake of not having one player fast expand. It is standard for a team with two Zergs to always have one Zerg fast expand in 2v2 when against a ZT or ZP team.
*Randomed Terran & Zerg versus Zerg & Zerg
Marines/Vessels and Zerglings/Mutalisks. Opposing team might make the mistake of not having one player fast expand. It is standard for a team with two Zergs to always have one Zerg fast expand in 2v2 when against a ZT or ZP team. If your team is Zerg/Randomed Terran vs Z/Z, if the Z/Z team doesn't fast expand, they are in trouble.
*Randomed Terran & Zerg versus Terran & Zerg
Standard 9p + T go mech. Other team may have gone slower mech or have gone bionic play which fails hard vs mech.
*Randomed Terran & Zerg versus Protoss & Zerg
Go Bionic or Mech depending on what you Scout. Opposing team might make mistake of going 2gate vs bionic play or 1gate vs 2fact push. 2gate is bad against bionic play because you don't get DTs and HT's as fast. 1gate is bad against 2fact push because you don't have enough Dragoons to fight the push.
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Can you please put some spaces in between the first big gigantic intro paragraph. >.>
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I made it a little more reader-friendly now.
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On September 11 2012 08:03 FlaShFTW wrote:i knew all of this cause i used to random  stupid hosts always banned me though 
Deal with it, bro. Random is the only imbalanced race in StarCraft.
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I think in PvR 1 gate tech is the most viable build, you can branch off to an fe or 1 base depending on the race/build
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i 6 scout on 3 and 4 player maps and 8 scout on 2 player maps.
i think im rather safe vs random
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There's another 3 MUs you forgot about for 1v1
Randomed T vs Random
Random P vs R
Random Z vs R
xD Just fyi
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omg you have really done some worke on this. amacing. I play random in 1v1 and 2v2 but how will this thread help me?
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On September 11 2012 06:59 Wgtourmaps wrote:
In a 1v1, where both players Random, there is a 95% chance both players random different races.
Are you sure about this?
+ Show Spoiler +i would have though it was 67% chance, because whatever race you roll, they roll one of 3 options one of which is the same as you
And a nice guide, i never really put that much thought into how different random vs x is compared to a known matchup. Funny really, since i'm well aware of how it affects sc2... I guess i just never run into random players while playing broodwar.
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On September 12 2012 00:57 killerdog wrote:Show nested quote +On September 11 2012 06:59 Wgtourmaps wrote:
In a 1v1, where both players Random, there is a 95% chance both players random different races.
Are you sure about this? + Show Spoiler +i would have though it was 67% chance, because whatever race you roll, they roll one of 3 options one of which is the same as you And a nice guide, i never really put that much thought into how different random vs x is compared to a known matchup. Funny really, since i'm well aware of how it affects sc2... I guess i just never run into random players while playing broodwar.
it should be 67% mathematically, but it comes out to be 90% or more close to 95% when you play it. This is from the numerous RvRs I have played and I dont even understand why mirror matches are so rare in RvR.
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United Kingdom3685 Posts
Every time someone plays random, god kicks a puppy. Really hard.
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More people should go random if for no other reason than to fuck with the race pickers.
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The biggest disadvantage of playing Random is that you don't get to specialize in a race. You get one third the practice time per race.
I've read this many times, but what many people fail to see is that f.e. from playing PvZ you can also learn something for ZvP too.
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On September 12 2012 00:57 killerdog wrote:Show nested quote +On September 11 2012 06:59 Wgtourmaps wrote:
In a 1v1, where both players Random, there is a 95% chance both players random different races.
Are you sure about this? + Show Spoiler +i would have though it was 67% chance, because whatever race you roll, they roll one of 3 options one of which is the same as you And a nice guide, i never really put that much thought into how different random vs x is compared to a known matchup. Funny really, since i'm well aware of how it affects sc2... I guess i just never run into random players while playing broodwar.
If you search "Random" on this site, there is a page where a programmer talks about SC's engine being programmed that way. It is nice when everyone is playing Random in a 1v1 or 2v2, you will have a somewhat better idea of what their races might be.
Thank you for the nice comments guys.
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Finally, you can also two gate against a Protoss who will most of the time 1gate against Random.
Decent Protoss players often two gate against Random players because it is their best option against 3 races.
Arent u contraditing yourself?
Personally I'd go for 1 gate tech, on 2 ppl map maybe can try put pylon at natural and early scout to see what the opponent is....
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On September 11 2012 09:43 vOdToasT wrote:Show nested quote +On September 11 2012 08:03 FlaShFTW wrote:i knew all of this cause i used to random stupid hosts always banned me though Deal with it, bro. Random is the only imbalanced race in StarCraft.
There's a reason why hosts hate random players. As a random player, if you are just playing a public game, you always have the option to leave if you get a race you aren't familiar with, and there is nothing the host can do to prevent you from doing so.
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When my opponent is playing random, I do proxy 2 rax at the center of the map. Works against all 3 races  unless they themselves are cheesing.
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Most random players are bad. Great strategy against them is to 3 worker rush.
On a more serious note, a lot of contradictions(about general population openings vs randoms) and bad advice(in general) in the op.
Forge expand pvp, really? When opponent is either is going to scout it quick and double expand in response, or proxy robo outside your nat for fast reaver?
What makes tech openings good against terran, since all timings are so late, it is same as if you picked protoss. Actually, all kinds of 'surprise tech' 1v1 tips for randoms are bullshit. You can take advantage of being random by playing quick agression, playing greedy, or playing defensive(with a read that opponents allins random players). Opening tech is shooting yourself in the foot.
Ugh.
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Does anyone want to add anything before thread dies?
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On September 20 2012 11:35 Wgtourmaps wrote:
Does anyone want to add anything before thread dies?
Please answer this, you wrote the guide after all.
+ Show Spoiler +On September 12 2012 07:26 HaFnium wrote:
Finally, you can also two gate against a Protoss who will most of the time 1gate against Random.
Decent Protoss players often two gate against Random players because it is their best option against 3 races.
Arent u contraditing yourself?
Personally I'd go for 1 gate tech, on 2 ppl map maybe can try put pylon at natural and early scout to see what the opponent is....
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It depends on what you think your opponent will do. You might easily win if he 1gates when you 2 gate him. Conversely if he plays safe and 2 gates, he probably won't make too many zealots or too fast tech. Cannon expand may be good here.
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Maby every thing have been said? it was intressting therad =)
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I never play vs random.
Race up or boot
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*Randomed Protoss versus Protoss
rProtoss can play greedy and forge expand. The enemy Protoss is likely to skimp out on Zealots opting instead for Dragoons. Your Photon Cannons will hold off his Dragoons. Other possibilites include 12 Nexus or the LML Build (10 gateway at mainbase, 12 forge at mainbase, and then expand). The latter may give you more flexibility in adjusting to your opponents playstyle. Protoss can "cheeze tech" to reavers or DT drops. Finally, you can also two gate against a Protoss who will most of the time 1gate against Random.
Wait what. Noo just noo. You go Zeal Core Zeal in PvP/PvZ it's much safer to go Zeal Core Zeal. I guess you could follow this guide and just die a lot of the time thats fine to.
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On September 12 2012 01:30 gutshot wrote:Show nested quote +On September 12 2012 00:57 killerdog wrote:On September 11 2012 06:59 Wgtourmaps wrote:
In a 1v1, where both players Random, there is a 95% chance both players random different races.
Are you sure about this? + Show Spoiler +i would have though it was 67% chance, because whatever race you roll, they roll one of 3 options one of which is the same as you And a nice guide, i never really put that much thought into how different random vs x is compared to a known matchup. Funny really, since i'm well aware of how it affects sc2... I guess i just never run into random players while playing broodwar. it should be 67% mathematically, but it comes out to be 90% or more close to 95% when you play it. This is from the numerous RvRs I have played and I dont even understand why mirror matches are so rare in RvR.
In your experience. Either you remember it wrong or it's a statistical anomaly.
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On October 03 2012 01:59 Savi[wOk] wrote:
I never play vs random.
Race up or boot
Same. Fuck random kinda feels unfair especially in PvZ I don't care about PvT and PvP because I can adapt pretty fast.
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On September 12 2012 01:30 gutshot wrote:Show nested quote +On September 12 2012 00:57 killerdog wrote:On September 11 2012 06:59 Wgtourmaps wrote:
In a 1v1, where both players Random, there is a 95% chance both players random different races.
Are you sure about this? + Show Spoiler +i would have though it was 67% chance, because whatever race you roll, they roll one of 3 options one of which is the same as you And a nice guide, i never really put that much thought into how different random vs x is compared to a known matchup. Funny really, since i'm well aware of how it affects sc2... I guess i just never run into random players while playing broodwar. it should be 67% mathematically, but it comes out to be 90% or more close to 95% when you play it. This is from the numerous RvRs I have played and I dont even understand why mirror matches are so rare in RvR.
i would think mathematically correct would be a chance of 8/9 = 89%
nice read, even tho im not a random player
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On October 08 2012 00:21 Kogan wrote:Show nested quote +On September 12 2012 01:30 gutshot wrote:On September 12 2012 00:57 killerdog wrote:On September 11 2012 06:59 Wgtourmaps wrote:
In a 1v1, where both players Random, there is a 95% chance both players random different races.
Are you sure about this? + Show Spoiler +i would have though it was 67% chance, because whatever race you roll, they roll one of 3 options one of which is the same as you And a nice guide, i never really put that much thought into how different random vs x is compared to a known matchup. Funny really, since i'm well aware of how it affects sc2... I guess i just never run into random players while playing broodwar. it should be 67% mathematically, but it comes out to be 90% or more close to 95% when you play it. This is from the numerous RvRs I have played and I dont even understand why mirror matches are so rare in RvR. i would think mathematically correct would be a chance of 8/9 = 89% nice read, even tho im not a random player
67% is correct. no matter what your race is, the other player can have one of the 2 races that are different, or the same race.
or you could see it this way: there are 9 possiblities (if you say that ZvT and TvZ are different):
TvT
TvP
TvZ
PvT
PvP
PvZ
ZvT
ZvP
ZvZ
3 of this 9 are mirror matches
6 of 9 non mirrors
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2/3 is the only acceptable way to write that. 66.6666666... rounded up to 67% is quite unprofessional when talking about things you actually would consider a lot of people playing way more than a hundred times.
So Brood War has some kind of coding to decrease mirror matches in rvr? That is interesting.
I usually play vs Random people on ladder but they seem cheesy most of the time, not learning one race enough to stand up through a whole game. Maybe this is just my experience, but "greedy cheese" as you call it, seems kind of uncommon. I tend to get more defenses when playing vR, just because of this reason. Random players want to use the fact that they're playing random somehow, and the easiest way seems to be to just 99-gate, 9-pool speed or BBS.
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I started playing random and it's quite fun. You learn a lot about the other sides of the matchups you are used to. In particular I understand PvZ a bit better from playing ZvP. Random only gives you a psychological advantage for the first few minutes. It's just the normal game after a round of scouting.
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gotta be honest, I normally go 10-10 gate vs Random because they think I will be defensive or play safe and they tend to try and do something greedy or all in...
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EPT
