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Active: 1817 users

Looking for advice on some replays (P)

Forum Index > Brood War Strategy
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SartPls
Profile Joined August 2017
Germany76 Posts
August 26 2017 21:55 GMT
#1
Hey guys, I've got some advice in another thread that if I upload some of my replays here, and try to analyze them first to see where my mistakes are, I could get some constructive criticism from People.

Mind that I'm a rather bad Player, so don't expect anything please. I tried to get a good mix of race matchups and wins/losses, and will try to list all the mistakes I noticed myself in the game. So I hope it will be enough for People to give me Feedback. Thanks already in advance for your replies!

1) PvP 2 Gate DT Loss


a) I could have propably played my 2 early DTs a bit more conservatively, "test" with just one of them if my Opponent rushed to Observers already (like he did) despite him not scouting my Citadel + Archives
b) I think my defense was fine with what I had, but I eventually just got rolled over because I didn't make enough production Buildings, so my army Count was just way too low.

2) PvP 2 Gate DT Loss 2

a) I lost my scouting probe way too early, should have microd it better and/or sent out a second one to replace it.
b) After my first DT drop I could have propably saved my shuttle with better Micro
c) During my 2nd DT drop I was distracted and ran them right into the cannons of his natural
d) Defense of the counterattack was fine imo, lost my natural but was able to use the choke to hold him off
e) After my first Reaver drop I could have propably pulled them back to help defend his push. In the end, I again just got steamrolled due to a lower army Count, although this time, I remembered to build more Gates.

3) PvP 2 Gate DT Win

a) I Need to spend my ressources. I was Banking way too much Minerals and gas, if I can't spend them effectively anymore with what I have, I should expand.
b) Not sure about this one, but after a successful harass with a DT or Reaver drop, I was maybe playing a bit too passive? I could have possibly moved out at the same time or right after the drop and attack another Expansion from the front?

4) PvZ Bisu Build Loss

a) Again, I didn't spend my ressources well enough and had way too much banked.
b) Not sure about this one, but I was propably a bit too passive early on with my Speedlots and DTs?
c) Overall, I legit don't quite understand what went wrong in this game though, it seemed like I was playing fine mostly

5) PvZ +1 Speedlots Loss

a) After a few really good Overlord Snipes with my Corsairs in the midgame, I got overconfident and started chasing them through Hydra Clusters and Colonies too much, I should not be trading Corsairs for 1-2 Overlords.
b) I got caught off guard by not noticing when my bases were mined out. I Need to Keep track of that, and expand early enough to Keep my economy rolling.
c) It was propably a mistake to try and Transition into Carrier late game after re-starting my economy on a new Expansion, but I felt that at this Point of the game, I had to do some risky move to get back into it.
d) At the end, I was just missing time and ressources for Sairs, so scouted the Ling/Ultra late game mix too late

6) PvZ Neo Bisu Build Win

a) It was a rather short game, so not much to add, the only real mistake I noticed was that when scouting with my Corsair, I SOMEHOW missed the Spire in his main... either it was just at the edge of my Vision or I was daydreaming, but I could have prepared the defense vs Mutalisks a lot better if I knew.

7) PvZ Bisu Build Win

a) I Need to be more careful with my Zealot Micro when Hydralisks are poking, to prevent losing Zealots when the AI tells them to chase. Maybe just put them on hold?
b) Again, I didn't spend my ressources right... way too much banked
c) Also again, my unit Count is way too low, this is partly because of B, but still, I Need to constantly produce Things
d) Not sure about this one, but I might have been too passive while waiting for my endgame Upgrades to finish? That could have given him the Chance to surprise me, etc.

8) PvT 2 Gate DT Win

a) The only really suitable game vs Terran I had during the last 2 days. He was playing random and didn't tell me his race, so I FFE'd in fear of a Zerg or Zealot rush, when it turned out he's Terran, I tried my best to Transition into DT Drops.
b) The Transition worked well Overall, for an improvized build order, but i still felt like I was producing not enough Units.

---

Also, some miscellaneous questions that came up while choosing replays to post:

1) How the hell do I Scout for, or defend against, early game lurker Drops in my main? I legit just stand there and do nothing while trying to Panic-tech to observers at a time where I really shouldn't do that, but yeah.
2) If a Zerg tries a runby with Lings early, and gets one through into my main, before my first Zealot is out... Is it, at my Levels of micromanagement, worth trying to surround him and kill him with Probes? Or should I just "ignore" him, Focus on mining and wait for the Zealot to Pop out?
3) Is there any secret strategy or advice on what to do if you face someone who picked Random? Not knowing which race I face Limits me so much imo.

Once again, thanks a lot for any Reply already, and sorry for the Long post!
Current SC2 progress: 2017 S4: Bronze -> Gold. 2018 S1: Gold -> Dia. 2018 S3: Dia -> Master
Frauenarzt
Profile Joined April 2006
Germany22 Posts
August 27 2017 03:36 GMT
#2
i dont wanna watch those reps so i will just answer to ur last questions (2gate pvp sux) (dt sux)

1) if u fe and z upgrades hatch early(on 2 base) its pretty obvious the only options are fast muta or fast lurker/drop but u could still scout it somehow if u run in with zeal or whatever
2) send 2 probes after that one ling = gg ? probably u have to micro the probe which gets attacked first once but thats it.
otherwise u would have to wait for the ling to attack ur mineral probes and u have to counterattack everytime and send them back when he runs away which probably wouldnt let u focus on the more important parts of the game
3) i just play 1 gate gas and scout with my first pylon probe vs all randoms
SartPls
Profile Joined August 2017
Germany76 Posts
August 27 2017 09:02 GMT
#3
On August 27 2017 12:36 Frauenarzt wrote:
i dont wanna watch those reps so i will just answer to ur last questions (2gate pvp sux) (dt sux)

1) if u fe and z upgrades hatch early(on 2 base) its pretty obvious the only options are fast muta or fast lurker/drop but u could still scout it somehow if u run in with zeal or whatever
2) send 2 probes after that one ling = gg ? probably u have to micro the probe which gets attacked first once but thats it.
otherwise u would have to wait for the ling to attack ur mineral probes and u have to counterattack everytime and send them back when he runs away which probably wouldnt let u focus on the more important parts of the game
3) i just play 1 gate gas and scout with my first pylon probe vs all randoms


Hey, and thanks for the quick Reply

I think you misunderstood the "2 Gate DT" (or I misworded it ), I'm not using a 2 gate opener like you would with a Zealot rush, I still open with the Standard 1 Gate Core build to tech off one base. I just meant this as "DTs off of 2 Gates", because I add a second gate during the tech.

Also I don't use the DTs to rush People if that was what you meant x) I use them to cover me expanding. If they CAN do a lot of damage, then hey, nice of Course.

About 1) Yeah, in this case I normally prepare for Mutas. But even an attempted lurker contain off of 2 bases isn't the worst. What just really constantly catches me out is if they also tech into Drops early :/

2) I wasn't exactly sure which one of the Options you described was the more efficient one, that's why I asked in the first place :D But ok, just gonna try it with 2 probes then, thanks!
Current SC2 progress: 2017 S4: Bronze -> Gold. 2018 S1: Gold -> Dia. 2018 S3: Dia -> Master
FlaShFTW
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States10238 Posts
August 27 2017 17:57 GMT
#4
Hey I do a series called "analyze this!". PM me the replays you want specifically analyzed, maybe 2 is fine, and be specific about what you want help with. I'm making a new series to help newer players get better at the game and understand their mistakes.
Writer#1 KT and FlaSh Fanboy || Woo Jung Ho Never Forget || Teamliquid Political Decision Desk
TL+ Member
SartPls
Profile Joined August 2017
Germany76 Posts
August 27 2017 18:47 GMT
#5
On August 28 2017 02:57 FlaShFTW wrote:
Hey I do a series called "analyze this!". PM me the replays you want specifically analyzed, maybe 2 is fine, and be specific about what you want help with. I'm making a new series to help newer players get better at the game and understand their mistakes.


Hi! And yeah, sure, will do. Did you go through the replays in this thread already? And if yes, were there 1-2 that you thought suitable? If not, I'll check for others too, I think I have a few good ones from today

And already thanks for your offer and work!
Current SC2 progress: 2017 S4: Bronze -> Gold. 2018 S1: Gold -> Dia. 2018 S3: Dia -> Master
FlaShFTW
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States10238 Posts
August 27 2017 18:59 GMT
#6
On August 28 2017 03:47 SartPls wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 28 2017 02:57 FlaShFTW wrote:
Hey I do a series called "analyze this!". PM me the replays you want specifically analyzed, maybe 2 is fine, and be specific about what you want help with. I'm making a new series to help newer players get better at the game and understand their mistakes.


Hi! And yeah, sure, will do. Did you go through the replays in this thread already? And if yes, were there 1-2 that you thought suitable? If not, I'll check for others too, I think I have a few good ones from today

And already thanks for your offer and work!

I haven't looked at any since I've been busy and would like to receive a replay to cast rather than look for one from your 8 to cast. You know your games better than I do, so pick a few you want to see analyzed in depth and I can help you from there.
Writer#1 KT and FlaSh Fanboy || Woo Jung Ho Never Forget || Teamliquid Political Decision Desk
TL+ Member
SartPls
Profile Joined August 2017
Germany76 Posts
August 27 2017 19:07 GMT
#7
On August 28 2017 03:59 FlaShFTW wrote:
I haven't looked at any since I've been busy and would like to receive a replay to cast rather than look for one from your 8 to cast. You know your games better than I do, so pick a few you want to see analyzed in depth and I can help you from there.


Of Course, no Problem Just thought that you had favorites IF you already watched them. I'll rewatch the games and then send you 2 later tonight!
Current SC2 progress: 2017 S4: Bronze -> Gold. 2018 S1: Gold -> Dia. 2018 S3: Dia -> Master
RealZork
Profile Joined June 2017
31 Posts
Last Edited: 2017-08-27 23:47:48
August 27 2017 23:31 GMT
#8
On August 27 2017 06:55 SartPls wrote:

1) PvP 2 Gate DT Loss


a) I could have propably played my 2 early DTs a bit more conservatively, "test" with just one of them if my Opponent rushed to Observers already (like he did) despite him not scouting my Citadel + Archives
b) I think my defense was fine with what I had, but I eventually just got rolled over because I didn't make enough production Buildings, so my army Count was just way too low.


4) PvZ Bisu Build Loss

a) Again, I didn't spend my ressources well enough and had way too much banked.
b) Not sure about this one, but I was propably a bit too passive early on with my Speedlots and DTs?
c) Overall, I legit don't quite understand what went wrong in this game though, it seemed like I was playing fine mostly

5) PvZ +1 Speedlots Loss

a) After a few really good Overlord Snipes with my Corsairs in the midgame, I got overconfident and started chasing them through Hydra Clusters and Colonies too much, I should not be trading Corsairs for 1-2 Overlords.
b) I got caught off guard by not noticing when my bases were mined out. I Need to Keep track of that, and expand early enough to Keep my economy rolling.
c) It was propably a mistake to try and Transition into Carrier late game after re-starting my economy on a new Expansion, but I felt that at this Point of the game, I had to do some risky move to get back into it.
d) At the end, I was just missing time and ressources for Sairs, so scouted the Ling/Ultra late game mix too late



Hi I had time to watch 3 games so far I focused on games you lost.

1. PvP you said you can play your DT more conservatively which I agree with. I would normally put one in the nat and one on the side and try to sneak in if the army moves out. Good thing about DT pvp is it doesn't notify opponent when you 1 shot probes so you can do massive damage. The reason he went robo and obs without scouting your citadel is because 2 gate robo expo is a strong safe build pvp on fighting spirit many people go that build so DT isn't the best idea usually.

Despite losing the 2 DT you take an early expo and if he doesn't pressure you are ahead. What you should do here is make 2 more gateways and pump goons then tech in some high Templar with the added income. You make a robo instead but since we know our opponent went robo one it's super unlikely he will make DT or dt drop you. And you stay on 2 gates for a very long time. At 9 mins he has 4 gateway and you have 2 and you can see his goon army is starting to get much bigger than yours. Another thing is utilizing your Templar tech and making high templars and storm. Psi storm is really good vs mass goon which your opponent is making.

You made some cannon in main which I wouldn't recommend but can be ok late game when storm drops are on the table.

I know people don't like hearing this but macro is the main issue here. 2 gate can't compete with 4 even with non stop production and 4 can't compete with 8. If your money gets over 1000 just build tons of gates. 8 or more. Ideally as a beginner you want to focus on spending your money on more gateways and more units if you can't spend it all with 6 gateways make 12 it's makes a huge difference to be able to build 15 dragoon rather than bank 2k minerals. All in all your probe production is great you need to practice building army quicker. I made a YouTube video about practicing macro and maxing army check it out it will help you.

4. PvZ you need to transfer a few probes to the expansion when it finishes. When losing your scouting probe pvz send another one out immediately scout for third and then go check main again. Your corsair is idle outside his base for a min not a huge deal but will help you spot those pesky mutualisk. Once you do scout Muta you NEED a canon in main near minerals and gas and one behind or near minerals at your 2nd base. You should also send all zeals to attack and pressure when mutha arrive in main. This will force Zerg to pull muta back or lose their expo it will help you buy time for more said and canon. Also transfer probes that are being attacked that don't have canon for defense transfer back when safe.

Again you need more gateways. It's ok if your macro slips and your money racks up but you need more gateways to spend that money asap. Make a rule of thumb i.e. 1000 minerals make 4 more gateway or something like that.

You are too focused on Sair DT and attack straight on the front door and lose all sairs. Sair DT is good for denying expos and harassing but the proper army composition for direct engagement is a mix of zeal goon and 4-5 high Templar.

In PvZ Zerg needs gas badly so always look to scout 3rd and 4th and put pressure on them or deny them. If you can do that and take a 3rd base yourself and keep your money down you will crush this Zerg.

5. PvZ this game you need to transfer some probe to your first expo as well. You make a lot of zeal early send a probe to scout what Zerg is up to. Again check for expos and natural. If he takes a base far you can pressure it easily with early zealot. Send those seals to his second base at 6:55 he has very little defense you can walk in and kill. If alternatively you see a bunch of defense no worries just back off. You have to pressure Zerg don't let him tech to lurkers freely like that. Soon after you attack his natural and he has 1 lurker 2 hydra but no wall. This is a great opportunity to run straight in his main. Instead the zeals get distracted and most die to the lurker.

You see muta but you need to add canon to your main just 1 or 2 would help a lot.

I know there's more things to talk about later in the game but I can see a pattern here that you need to work on. When you take your second base you lose focus on macro and it piles up as the game progresses. Your probe production is great but your army production needs work. Next time you play do this 2 gates 1 base 6 gates 2 base 10-12 gates 3 base and even more if you have 4 base. PvP make high Templar and goon vs goon and plz actively search for and deny third. Take a third shortly after your second or anytime you think your opponent is distracted. Transfer probes and make sure to protect them with 1-2 canon if you see Muta.

Hope this helps I'll do a video review as promised later!
SartPls
Profile Joined August 2017
Germany76 Posts
August 28 2017 13:07 GMT
#9
On August 28 2017 08:31 RealZork wrote:
Hi I had time to watch 3 games so far I focused on games you lost.

1. PvP you said you can play your DT more conservatively which I agree with. I would normally put one in the nat and one on the side and try to sneak in if the army moves out. Good thing about DT pvp is it doesn't notify opponent when you 1 shot probes so you can do massive damage. The reason he went robo and obs without scouting your citadel is because 2 gate robo expo is a strong safe build pvp on fighting spirit many people go that build so DT isn't the best idea usually.

Despite losing the 2 DT you take an early expo and if he doesn't pressure you are ahead. What you should do here is make 2 more gateways and pump goons then tech in some high Templar with the added income. You make a robo instead but since we know our opponent went robo one it's super unlikely he will make DT or dt drop you. And you stay on 2 gates for a very long time. At 9 mins he has 4 gateway and you have 2 and you can see his goon army is starting to get much bigger than yours. Another thing is utilizing your Templar tech and making high templars and storm. Psi storm is really good vs mass goon which your opponent is making.

You made some cannon in main which I wouldn't recommend but can be ok late game when storm drops are on the table.

I know people don't like hearing this but macro is the main issue here. 2 gate can't compete with 4 even with non stop production and 4 can't compete with 8. If your money gets over 1000 just build tons of gates. 8 or more. Ideally as a beginner you want to focus on spending your money on more gateways and more units if you can't spend it all with 6 gateways make 12 it's makes a huge difference to be able to build 15 dragoon rather than bank 2k minerals. All in all your probe production is great you need to practice building army quicker. I made a YouTube video about practicing macro and maxing army check it out it will help you.

4. PvZ you need to transfer a few probes to the expansion when it finishes. When losing your scouting probe pvz send another one out immediately scout for third and then go check main again. Your corsair is idle outside his base for a min not a huge deal but will help you spot those pesky mutualisk. Once you do scout Muta you NEED a canon in main near minerals and gas and one behind or near minerals at your 2nd base. You should also send all zeals to attack and pressure when mutha arrive in main. This will force Zerg to pull muta back or lose their expo it will help you buy time for more said and canon. Also transfer probes that are being attacked that don't have canon for defense transfer back when safe.

Again you need more gateways. It's ok if your macro slips and your money racks up but you need more gateways to spend that money asap. Make a rule of thumb i.e. 1000 minerals make 4 more gateway or something like that.

You are too focused on Sair DT and attack straight on the front door and lose all sairs. Sair DT is good for denying expos and harassing but the proper army composition for direct engagement is a mix of zeal goon and 4-5 high Templar.

In PvZ Zerg needs gas badly so always look to scout 3rd and 4th and put pressure on them or deny them. If you can do that and take a 3rd base yourself and keep your money down you will crush this Zerg.

5. PvZ this game you need to transfer some probe to your first expo as well. You make a lot of zeal early send a probe to scout what Zerg is up to. Again check for expos and natural. If he takes a base far you can pressure it easily with early zealot. Send those seals to his second base at 6:55 he has very little defense you can walk in and kill. If alternatively you see a bunch of defense no worries just back off. You have to pressure Zerg don't let him tech to lurkers freely like that. Soon after you attack his natural and he has 1 lurker 2 hydra but no wall. This is a great opportunity to run straight in his main. Instead the zeals get distracted and most die to the lurker.

You see muta but you need to add canon to your main just 1 or 2 would help a lot.

I know there's more things to talk about later in the game but I can see a pattern here that you need to work on. When you take your second base you lose focus on macro and it piles up as the game progresses. Your probe production is great but your army production needs work. Next time you play do this 2 gates 1 base 6 gates 2 base 10-12 gates 3 base and even more if you have 4 base. PvP make high Templar and goon vs goon and plz actively search for and deny third. Take a third shortly after your second or anytime you think your opponent is distracted. Transfer probes and make sure to protect them with 1-2 canon if you see Muta.

Hope this helps I'll do a video review as promised later!


Thanks a lot for the Reply already!

About the first game: My idea of DTs in PvP, from what I read on Liquipedia, was that they try to cover your own Process of expanding, so I started my natural right when I moved out with my DTs. The way you described it makes it Sound like I should have waited to see if the DT attack will be successful, before I expand? And if it wasn't, spam gates instead?

The reason I made a Robo wasn't to prepare for his own DT Drops, but to help me Transition into Reaver Drops after my DTs were rendered mostly useless because of his early Observers. Also the cannons in my main weren't for DTs, but for Reaver drops, since Reaver harass seems to be the "Standard" PvP midgame. Should I defend those with Goons only instead?

And yeah, I know about the macro issue. I've mentioned it myself earlier, it's one of my biggest Problems that at some Point I just Forget to add more production Buildings because I'm so focused on expanding, teching, attacking/defending attacks, etc. :/ I'm gonna try to apply and remember your rule of thumb though, seems like a good idea. Also you'Re right about the HTs, I often completely neglect them in PvP which is a horrible mistake too.


About sliding workers to a new Expansion... I know about that, I've read the article about Maynard slides, etc. But I have so much Trouble choosing which probes, and how many probes I should slide. I don't want to delay the income of my main, so technically I should only slide workers that just delivered their Minerals, but that feels impossible to Micro at the Point of time when my natural Nexus finishes, because I already have quite a big Cluster of probes in my main. And about the amount of probes, I think I heard somewhere that you should Keep 2 probes per Mineral patch and slide the rest? Is that correct?


The advice on the Sair/DT playstyle is also really good, I Need to remember to use them in more of a harass style instead of trying to force fights/Building razes, will definitely do that. Thanks a lot again for the detailled Analysis, and I'm looking Forward to the Video
Current SC2 progress: 2017 S4: Bronze -> Gold. 2018 S1: Gold -> Dia. 2018 S3: Dia -> Master
RealZork
Profile Joined June 2017
31 Posts
August 28 2017 19:37 GMT
#10
In the PvP game I didn't mean don't go expo after DT or mass gates if it fails. I meant to say even though your DT did no damage and you lost the ability to threaten him, you have an expo that puts you ahead unless he attacks. He was passive so you got it up free. Also I wouldn't recommend going reaver after DT. 1. Storm drops are a lot better and 2. It's apm intensive to try to harass but you need those actions to spend your income right now. You can incorporate reavers later and harassing but focus on building first it's more important.
SartPls
Profile Joined August 2017
Germany76 Posts
August 28 2017 20:48 GMT
#11
On August 29 2017 04:37 RealZork wrote:
In the PvP game I didn't mean don't go expo after DT or mass gates if it fails. I meant to say even though your DT did no damage and you lost the ability to threaten him, you have an expo that puts you ahead unless he attacks. He was passive so you got it up free. Also I wouldn't recommend going reaver after DT. 1. Storm drops are a lot better and 2. It's apm intensive to try to harass but you need those actions to spend your income right now. You can incorporate reavers later and harassing but focus on building first it's more important.


Oh, I see, I misunderstood you then, sorry!

Ok, so if a DT harass Fails I can still go Robo (I'll Need it anyways for Observers), but instead of teching to Reavers right away, I should use the already existing Templar tech to drop HTs with Storm instead? Definitely gonna try that
Current SC2 progress: 2017 S4: Bronze -> Gold. 2018 S1: Gold -> Dia. 2018 S3: Dia -> Master
SartPls
Profile Joined August 2017
Germany76 Posts
August 29 2017 00:47 GMT
#12
I think I just played the craziest game of my life

PvP Ultra late game

Toss vs Toss, went into a macro game, he practically wiped me out after 45 mins or so, but I was able to sneak out probes and hide an Expo, defended on chokes to funnel his Units and after 1,5 hours actually turned it and won the game rofl

I recommend watching this at the fastest Speed possible x)
Current SC2 progress: 2017 S4: Bronze -> Gold. 2018 S1: Gold -> Dia. 2018 S3: Dia -> Master
GeckoXp
Profile Blog Joined June 2013
Germany2016 Posts
August 29 2017 07:43 GMT
#13
On August 27 2017 06:55 SartPls wrote:

1) How the hell do I Scout for, or defend against, early game lurker Drops in my main? I legit just stand there and do nothing while trying to Panic-tech to observers at a time where I really shouldn't do that, but yeah.
2) If a Zerg tries a runby with Lings early, and gets one through into my main, before my first Zealot is out... Is it, at my Levels of micromanagement, worth trying to surround him and kill him with Probes? Or should I just "ignore" him, Focus on mining and wait for the Zealot to Pop out?
3) Is there any secret strategy or advice on what to do if you face someone who picked Random? Not knowing which race I face Limits me so much imo.

Once again, thanks a lot for any Reply already, and sorry for the Long post!


2) Don't worry too much about a single ling. Things get shitty when it's 3+ Speedlings and you have nothing to show for. Aside from that, always remember lower rated players usually don't get anything from their one ling in your eco. Even if you drop two probes, they usually do the same economy wise, as they focus on killing probes and forget to do their own thing. The more calm you are, the easier it will be for you to figure out how to cope with runbys. It really does depend on the situation at hand, so both can be correct: use Probes to stack and attack or wait for the first or even second Zealot (if he threatens to bust you with mass lings).


1) Scout for what is missing. Two hatcheries, Lair up and no third expansion gives you the hint. In this scenario two cannons in the main base and another one covering your expo minerals. Regardless of his follow up, he won't have much room to attack. He also invested in a gas heavy build, so he can't follow up, but you can do. If it really is a drop, all you have to watch out for is to not lose the initial cannons and slowly get to obs tech and mass Range Goon + Zealots.

3) Playing vs random is bullshit, as you will always be behind. It's a game of rock/papers/scissors. Rule of thumb here: it most likely comes down to a micro heavy game for Protoss vs R. Go for any one gate Core build, on large maps you might only get one Zealot, on smaller maps two or even three Zealots are the way to go. Adapt from what you scout. Again, same advice as before: lower rated random players are usually not too good either, so just surviving to the mid game is almost a guaranteed win.
Legionnaire
Profile Joined January 2003
Australia4514 Posts
Last Edited: 2017-08-29 11:20:24
August 29 2017 11:12 GMT
#14
On August 29 2017 09:47 SartPls wrote:
I think I just played the craziest game of my life

PvP Ultra late game


The first 10 minutes is all that really matters. Particularly for those who are learning.

Some of these things will seem petty. But i'm just listing the things i saw.

A) set your rally point closer to the minerals. You set it below the gas, hence quite far from the minerals. Set it close to the minerals but on the side (so that when you come back to it, they are easy to select without disrupting the other mining probes).
B) you let your probe die when scouting. Just gazillion shift click it around the base in big squares. else run it around.
C) you saw that he had a super late gas. Or even more basic - He was doing a totally different build to you (as you already had gas). Yet you didn't continue to scout, you didn't see what he was doing. Scouting really let you down. What would you do if he proxy gated you in your main?
D) Click on your nexus. Watch the probes building for the first 5 mins. there are gaps. (you did pretty good - but thats still something to work on)
E) your third pylon was in a useless location. Putting it next to the 2nd random location pylon adds nothing. You either add it in a diff location to get more building placement options. Or double up on your own gateway (so that you can survive if they try to kill that 1 pylon powering your production buildings)
F) Once again - your pylon in his base, saw that he didn't mine any gas until you had already mined 400. Yet you didn't try to find out why. Its either a rush of some sort. Or a fast expansion. You dont know which, so you can't counter properly.
G) You appear to dt rush as your default build. Its a win/lose gamble build. Not good for learning how to play.
H) Your pylon building is not optimal (in a timing sense) you had 25/41. Early game, you dont want to be wasting minerals on unnecessary pylons if you dont need to.
I) your dt rush build is very very slow. It took 38 seconds between your gate and cyber. and 19 seconds between cyber and citadel. Based on that your dts should have been almost a minute faster.
J) Your next scouting moment was only the dts arriving at his canon'd expansion. If you had sent a probe early you probably would have seen it, and could have killed it with your entire army (with dts behind).

At this point you are a long way behind. He blind countered you. And you had every opportunity to see it and failed to do so.

K) you are 59/98 in pylons why. you should be 59/ 6x
L) Build your random pylons around the edges of the base, they will give you vision in case of drops
M) You stopped making probes at a lot of times from the 4th - 10th minute
N) You built a random canon at your exp on the right for what reason? to stop a drop? a dt run by? yet nothing in the main. I'd rather a random canon in the main than that.
O) Your dt drop should have killed his nexus. It should have killed almost everything in his base on the left hand side. You lost 1/4 of the dts to a single canon. If you'd attacked the canon he would have had nothing on that side and you would have killed it all. Oh god. you lost all the dts for nothing.
P) its 12 minute mark. And you have no probes at your exp. and you are just building random canons around the place like him. Dont build random canons unless they have a purpose. Build units instead. Dragoons can chase down shuttles. Canons can't. I can run my shuttle around canons and can never die vs them. But i can't vs dragoons.
Q) You aren't spending minerals. You have almost 2k minerals. at the 12 min mark... when you have no probes...
R) Learn the default: 1 expansion = 6 gateways. 2 expansions = 10 gateways rule. That way you can spend money.

This is only 12 minutes into the game. If you did the above better. You would be almost 40 supply ahead of him at this point and he would have no base. (i did fast forward to the end just so i'd see which player you were. It did look like a fun comeback game)

In short:
- Just focus on building probes always. Forever. Until the end of time. Multi queued if you need to. More more more.
- Focus on scouting.
- Focus on countering their build. (you need to know what it is first)
- Focus on non dt builds (or faster dt builds)
- Focus on better base building placement and building timings.
- Getting more gateways out in conjunction with expansions.
- Spending your money.

Good luck.
My hope is one day stupid people will feel the same pain when they talk, as the pain the rest of us feel when we hear them. Twitter: @Legionnaire_au
SartPls
Profile Joined August 2017
Germany76 Posts
Last Edited: 2017-08-29 16:49:57
August 29 2017 16:49 GMT
#15
On August 29 2017 20:12 Legionnaire wrote:
The first 10 minutes is all that really matters. Particularly for those who are learning.

Some of these things will seem petty. But i'm just listing the things i saw.

A) set your rally point closer to the minerals. You set it below the gas, hence quite far from the minerals. Set it close to the minerals but on the side (so that when you come back to it, they are easy to select without disrupting the other mining probes).
B) you let your probe die when scouting. Just gazillion shift click it around the base in big squares. else run it around.
C) you saw that he had a super late gas. Or even more basic - He was doing a totally different build to you (as you already had gas). Yet you didn't continue to scout, you didn't see what he was doing. Scouting really let you down. What would you do if he proxy gated you in your main?
D) Click on your nexus. Watch the probes building for the first 5 mins. there are gaps. (you did pretty good - but thats still something to work on)
E) your third pylon was in a useless location. Putting it next to the 2nd random location pylon adds nothing. You either add it in a diff location to get more building placement options. Or double up on your own gateway (so that you can survive if they try to kill that 1 pylon powering your production buildings)
F) Once again - your pylon in his base, saw that he didn't mine any gas until you had already mined 400. Yet you didn't try to find out why. Its either a rush of some sort. Or a fast expansion. You dont know which, so you can't counter properly.
G) You appear to dt rush as your default build. Its a win/lose gamble build. Not good for learning how to play.
H) Your pylon building is not optimal (in a timing sense) you had 25/41. Early game, you dont want to be wasting minerals on unnecessary pylons if you dont need to.
I) your dt rush build is very very slow. It took 38 seconds between your gate and cyber. and 19 seconds between cyber and citadel. Based on that your dts should have been almost a minute faster.
J) Your next scouting moment was only the dts arriving at his canon'd expansion. If you had sent a probe early you probably would have seen it, and could have killed it with your entire army (with dts behind).

At this point you are a long way behind. He blind countered you. And you had every opportunity to see it and failed to do so.

K) you are 59/98 in pylons why. you should be 59/ 6x
L) Build your random pylons around the edges of the base, they will give you vision in case of drops
M) You stopped making probes at a lot of times from the 4th - 10th minute
N) You built a random canon at your exp on the right for what reason? to stop a drop? a dt run by? yet nothing in the main. I'd rather a random canon in the main than that.
O) Your dt drop should have killed his nexus. It should have killed almost everything in his base on the left hand side. You lost 1/4 of the dts to a single canon. If you'd attacked the canon he would have had nothing on that side and you would have killed it all. Oh god. you lost all the dts for nothing.
P) its 12 minute mark. And you have no probes at your exp. and you are just building random canons around the place like him. Dont build random canons unless they have a purpose. Build units instead. Dragoons can chase down shuttles. Canons can't. I can run my shuttle around canons and can never die vs them. But i can't vs dragoons.
Q) You aren't spending minerals. You have almost 2k minerals. at the 12 min mark... when you have no probes...
R) Learn the default: 1 expansion = 6 gateways. 2 expansions = 10 gateways rule. That way you can spend money.

This is only 12 minutes into the game. If you did the above better. You would be almost 40 supply ahead of him at this point and he would have no base. (i did fast forward to the end just so i'd see which player you were. It did look like a fun comeback game)

In short:
- Just focus on building probes always. Forever. Until the end of time. Multi queued if you need to. More more more.
- Focus on scouting.
- Focus on countering their build. (you need to know what it is first)
- Focus on non dt builds (or faster dt builds)
- Focus on better base building placement and building timings.
- Getting more gateways out in conjunction with expansions.
- Spending your money.

Good luck.


Ok, I'll try my best not to fanboy because one of my Idols replied here x)

But seriously, I'm really impressed, didn't think Players of your calibre would take their time to go through such a thread and the replays to give advice, so thanks a lot for that!

To your Points: In General, Scouting, Building too few production Buildings, and not spending my ressources were 3 of the main issues I noticed myself already. I was toying around with a few rules of thumb etc., but I think in the end I just have to spam games and forcefully remind myself of that every time again.

About the DT build, I know it's slow, but the core idea behind it wasn't to actually RUSH my Opponent with DTs, at least that's how I understood it. I was using the 2 Gate DT Build from Liquipedia (here) and they mention the usage of DTs to "stall" the Opponent and prevent Aggression/harass so you can safely expand yourself. Is that outdated or did I misunderstood something there? I think when going for an actual RUSH with DTs I shouldn't be Building such an "early" Nexus anyways, no? This part is especially important to me since you mentioned that with a DT build I'll have a hard time actually learning the game, which I agree with. Just like I said, I was under the Impression that this build was supposed to be harass instead of a rush :/

I definitely Need to remember my Pylon and cannon Placement, another Thing I was trying to do lately was Designate Pylons that are only used for Tech Buildings, Pylons that are only used for Gateways, etc., so I get some actual structure in my base, instead of the chaos I have right now. Is that a legit way to do it, or do I risk losing too much at once when certain Pylons get taken down? Not talking about an Artosis Pylon, just like... lets say all my Gateways are in area A, and that area gets attacked by my Opponent, now if he manages to snipe enough Pylons, I'll run out of reinforcements, but if I also have Gateways at a different area B, they wouldn't be affected, etc.

The supply Overflow mostly results out of Prior games where I supply blocked myself because of warping in a Pylon a tad too late, so then I often overreact the game after and build Pylons in pairs during the midgame etc., but I will try to stop doing that. Also Need to memorize the 1 Expo 6 gates, 2 Expo 10 gates rule, thanks for that!

And yes, it was indeed a fun Comeback :D Still can't belive I was able to get away with it.

Anyways, thanks a ton again for the detailled Reply, I hope you can still shed some light on the possible misunderstanding about the DT build, but apart from that, your post really helped me spot some more Things to work on!
Current SC2 progress: 2017 S4: Bronze -> Gold. 2018 S1: Gold -> Dia. 2018 S3: Dia -> Master
SartPls
Profile Joined August 2017
Germany76 Posts
August 29 2017 16:56 GMT
#16
On August 29 2017 16:43 GeckoXp wrote:
2) Don't worry too much about a single ling. Things get shitty when it's 3+ Speedlings and you have nothing to show for. Aside from that, always remember lower rated players usually don't get anything from their one ling in your eco. Even if you drop two probes, they usually do the same economy wise, as they focus on killing probes and forget to do their own thing. The more calm you are, the easier it will be for you to figure out how to cope with runbys. It really does depend on the situation at hand, so both can be correct: use Probes to stack and attack or wait for the first or even second Zealot (if he threatens to bust you with mass lings).


1) Scout for what is missing. Two hatcheries, Lair up and no third expansion gives you the hint. In this scenario two cannons in the main base and another one covering your expo minerals. Regardless of his follow up, he won't have much room to attack. He also invested in a gas heavy build, so he can't follow up, but you can do. If it really is a drop, all you have to watch out for is to not lose the initial cannons and slowly get to obs tech and mass Range Goon + Zealots.

3) Playing vs random is bullshit, as you will always be behind. It's a game of rock/papers/scissors. Rule of thumb here: it most likely comes down to a micro heavy game for Protoss vs R. Go for any one gate Core build, on large maps you might only get one Zealot, on smaller maps two or even three Zealots are the way to go. Adapt from what you scout. Again, same advice as before: lower rated random players are usually not too good either, so just surviving to the mid game is almost a guaranteed win.


Ok, that's what I was mostly doing, if it's only 1 Ling I more or less ignore it until my Zealot is out, just wasn't sure if it's the correct Thing to do.

The advice about facing random is nice too, thanks a lot for that. I was usually going for a FFE if my Opponent Plays random, in fear of facing early rushes, but you made a good Point about them propably not being the best Players if they do that, so essentially I should just bank on being able to outmicro them eventually after enough practise
Current SC2 progress: 2017 S4: Bronze -> Gold. 2018 S1: Gold -> Dia. 2018 S3: Dia -> Master
Jealous
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
10239 Posts
August 30 2017 01:25 GMT
#17
Just want to make the point that posting your victories has been frowned upon, generally, when looking for analysis of your replays.
"The right to vote is only the oar of the slaveship, I wanna be free." -- бум бум сучка!
SartPls
Profile Joined August 2017
Germany76 Posts
August 30 2017 01:50 GMT
#18
On August 30 2017 10:25 Jealous wrote:
Just want to make the point that posting your victories has been frowned upon, generally, when looking for analysis of your replays.


I can imagine. I don't like posting them either, since losses are better to learn from. The Problem is that when I was posting, most of my losses were random all-ins or cheese, and I just don't get anything from having those analyzed. What are People gonna tell me? "Micro better than your Opponent"?

I'll post losses whenever possible though
Current SC2 progress: 2017 S4: Bronze -> Gold. 2018 S1: Gold -> Dia. 2018 S3: Dia -> Master
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