This guide will neither be monumental in magnitude nor earth-shattering in the advice it gives. I am quite sure that most Zerg’s know about the general basics about this, but cannot execute it on a regular basis. Though this guide will outline the steps on how to micro mutalisks using the chinese triangle method (coupled with pictures and video), nothing substitutes practice and experience.
There are various maps to practice on; here are links to the one I use:
It is worth discussing patrol micro. It is quite simple to understand, and there has even been a guide on the topic at gosugamers.net (click here).There are two basic steps. The mutalisks should be stacked (use an overlord or larvae) when engaging. When the scourge are close (the distance will be closer than in the chinese triangle: read on), about one muta distance, patrol-click right on the Furthest muta, or almost on top. It is similar to vulture micro, though backwards.
Thanks to the gg.net guide, here is a good Fpvod on how to do this:
That’s that. Now, the purpose that I had in mind when starting this is to discuss chinese triangles. It is more complicated than patrol micro, but it isn’t impossible.
The chinese triangle method
The reason behind going into more detail is that the chinese method is a bit more complicated and it looks nice when it’s done well. I believe it’s called the “chinese” method, because the original video tutorial on how to do it was in chinese. The entire thread is here: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?currentpage=1&topic_id=51214, which is upon what this guide is written. I would recommend all people who are learning this to download the video. Though it’s in chinese, it is still awesome to watch. Here is the link: http://rapidshare.com/files/22817856/muta.rar.html. For those who don’t want to download, here is the main excerpt (thanks to sweatpants who uploaded it):
Here are the steps (this is all a rough translation, so please bear with me):
First, the distance between the mutalisks and scourge has to be ~two mutalisks (relating this back to patrol micro which requires ~one). In order to engage the scourge, the mutalisks will need to be in a straight line to them (linear); thus, when clicking to move away line the mutalisks up with the scourge.
Next, in order to turn the mutalisks around, click a point at a 45 degree to both the mutualisks and scourge (doesn’t have to be exact, but ~close to both).
Third, engage the scourge. After step two is complete and the mutalisks have begun to turn around, use patrol (P -> click) downwards at a similar distance as in step two, however, this time at a 30 degree angle between the two.
Fourth, turn back around. Follow a line going through the scourge to the mutas, and click a point at a 150 degree angle to this line.
Last, regroup the mutalisks, and repeat.
When to Use What
It is important to understand that both methods are usable and applicable to real games. It is also important to understand when to use which. In one sentence: use the patrol method when the scourge are close (~one mutalisk) and use the chinese triangle method when the scourge are further away (~two mutalisks).
Live2Win provides an excellent explanation:
Live2Win wrote: I've used both the patrol and the chinese triangle on battlenet with success. Each one I use at different situations, let me explain.
The patrol method I use most often, because the success rate is much higher, and the process is much easier. But most of all, the situation needed to use it happens more often than the situation needed to use the chinese triangle.
I use the patrol method when the scourges are too close for the chinese triangle. Usually about 1 muta away, or right behind the muta. This happens pretty often during intesive micro battles, so I use it alot, with a fairly good success rate.
The only time I use the chinese triangle, is when I'm running from scourges and the scourges are a little far behind. They are usually too far behind for me to use the patrol technique (what happens is that my mutas turn, but don't fire becuase the scourges are too far, and just turn around again). In this situation I use to chinese triangle.
The patrol method works best when the scourges are close, and the triangle works best when the scourges are too far.
Hope that was good so that someone can learn something new. Post comments and questions, and I’ll answer.
Can you do that? Or are you just translating? Becouse my experiance tells me that using the Chinese Triangle is suicide unless the scourges are in 'bad ai mode', like they are in all micro maps.
ive practiced this technique for sooooo long (about 2 months now) and its still not usable in the following situations; 1) vs many scourge 2) vs people =[ ill keep trying
Do you think we should group muta as hotkey 0 instead of 1 in order to allow easier patrol micro? 1p is near impossible, but 0p is standard protoss fare.
Why would you want to select another group of units in the middle of a battle that could decide the outcome of the game? Better put that macro off untill the battle's over. If it's a matter of another important fight - with lings for example - you'll most likely have your lings on one of the early keys so you'll have to move your hand across the entire keyboard anyway.
On January 20 2008 00:41 ZerG~LegenD wrote: Why would you want to select another group of units in the middle of a battle that could decide the outcome of the game? Better put that macro off untill the battle's over. If it's a matter of another important fight - with lings for example - you'll most likely have your lings on one of the early keys so you'll have to move your hand across the entire keyboard anyway.
maybe the application is more useful with shuttle vs scourge or dropship vs scourge. usually it's 2 scourge vs 1 dropship with MM inside, and u need to avoid the scourge for just a few extra seconds or something so you MM can come out and kill the scourge.
I've used both the patrol and the chinese triangle on battlenet with success. Each one I use at different situations, let me explain.
The patrol method I use most often, because the success rate is much higher, and the process is much easier. But most of all, the situation needed to use it happens more often than the situation needed to use the chinese triangle.
I use the patrol method when the scourges are too close for the chinese triangle. Usually about 1 muta away, or right behind the muta. This happens pretty often during intesive micro battles, so I use it alot, with a fairly good success rate.
The only time I use the chinese triangle, is when I'm running from scourges and the scourges are a little far behind. They are usually too far behind for me to use the patrol technique (what happens is that my mutas turn, but don't fire becuase the scourges are too far, and just turn around again). In this situation I use to chinese triangle.
The patrol method works best when the scourges are close, and the triangle works best when the scourges are too far.
That's becouse the triangle thing make you lose distance to the scourges. You could just as well move alittle sick-sack if you want the distance to shorthen. Though I guess it's a good idéa to get a shot off too when you're at it.
ok, I updated the op with headings, and added a new section called, "When to Use What." Live2Win summarized it well.
To answer two questions:
On January 19 2008 15:31 Superiorwolf wrote: Just like to ask, does the patrol on your furthest muta only apply to battlenet because of latency?
correct
On January 20 2008 03:28 yoinkity wrote: this doesn't work against humans
(and all similar comments) It does work, though there are conditions in which patrol is better, and conditions where the chinese triangle method is better (see the new section).
On January 21 2008 11:48 ShaLLoW[baY] wrote: I'd like to point out that it was I who convinced Wizard of the sexiness of ZvZ and taught him the patrol method :p
I'd like to point out that it was I who convinced myself of the sexiness of ZvZ and created the patrol method :p
On January 21 2008 11:48 ShaLLoW[baY] wrote: I'd like to point out that it was I who convinced Wizard of the sexiness of ZvZ and taught him the patrol method :p
I'd like to point out that it was I who convinced myself of the sexiness of ZvZ and created the patrol method :p
Yea okay, despite your love of yourself, you didn't invent using patrol. Sorry.
On January 21 2008 11:48 ShaLLoW[baY] wrote: I'd like to point out that it was I who convinced Wizard of the sexiness of ZvZ and taught him the patrol method :p
I'd like to point out that it was I who convinced myself of the sexiness of ZvZ and created the patrol method :p
Yea okay, despite your love of yourself, you didn't invent using patrol. Sorry.
I didn't =) But I figured out how exactly to use it to kill scourges without getting hit and wrote that gg.net guide he's linking to in the op.
On January 22 2008 01:29 Chill wrote: Added to recommended threads. Thanks again!
On January 21 2008 17:48 ZerG~LegenD wrote:
On January 21 2008 11:48 ShaLLoW[baY] wrote: I'd like to point out that it was I who convinced Wizard of the sexiness of ZvZ and taught him the patrol method :p
I'd like to point out that it was I who convinced myself of the sexiness of ZvZ and created the patrol method :p
Yea okay, despite your love of yourself, you didn't invent using patrol. Sorry.
I didn't =) But I figured out how exactly to use it to kill scourges without getting hit and wrote that gg.net guide he's linking to in the op.
On January 21 2008 07:37 Chill wrote: Thanks a lot for this thread. It's something I don't quite understand yet and need to work on, and this is motivation to get going.
Now this subject has been out of the hot air for too long, so I'll borrow the thread for an update on my patrol method (the one described in the beginning of the thread and in the gg.net thread linked to).
Behold, the hold method! 1: Right click right as short as you possible can slightly to the side of your mutas. 2: Press h right away. (Wait a moment) 3: Move away.
As usual when it comes to mutalisks, you'll need a good sense of timing.
Now this is quite similar to the patrol method in how it is performed, and it also looks identically when observed. However, there are a few differences in terms of functionally.
First of all, the hold method will split your shots more evenly among the scourges. Just as in when killing marines in zvt there are times when this is good, and times when it is bad; depending on how much more damage you can dish out in one round of fire. Seeing as scourges have very low hp the number of mutalisks that are required for hold to outdo patrol becomes quite low. I consistently manage to complete my muta micro practice map (5 mutas vs 8 scourge) in one less round of fire when using hold.
The second difference is that if the scourges are out of range, even just slightly, the patrol method won't work, even if you wait before giving the move-away command. Hold do work though, just wait for them to move into range before moving away. This timing can be quite tricky though.
I'd also like to say that the methods used for killing scourges are very efficient in zvp vs zealot/archon pushes. You can easily take out every single zealot without getting in range of the archons. Though common back and forth micro are better against the archons themselves, imo.
Edit: Here's an fpvod. Without sound though, forgot to leave some free time to talk in when making it and I can't talk fast enough to possibly say everything I'd want to as it is now. So here it is in text instead.
1: Notice that I manage to get my scourges to turn around and stop with a single move command by clicking just below my mutas and a very, very short distance behind the group's center of gravity*. This click is vital to master.
2: After turning your mutas with a move command press hold, wait a very short moment and the move away.
3: Always begin the battle by moving towards the scourges, pressing hold, and then turning away. Just like when killing marines.
*Here we're only interested in the axis parallel to our velocity. I'm way off from the center of gravity in the other direction.
I think the majority of Zerg players know how to execute the chinese triangle agaisnt scourge. But from what I observed, the majority of them also can't execute it well enough, or at least fast enough to make it an efficient use of APM against more than 5 scourge.
I've won a few games the following way : the guy has 8 mutas, I send and clone 10 scourge his way. He starts running away with his mutas, doing his fancy dance to kill the scourge. During that precious time, I macro my ass off, I send a few lings to his main, or I send 2-3 mutas to kill his drones. This way, whatever he does with it's mutas, I get an advantage.
On June 16 2009 22:31 lepape wrote: I think the majority of Zerg players know how to execute the chinese triangle agaisnt scourge. But from what I observed, the majority of them also can't execute it well enough, or at least fast enough to make it an efficient use of APM against more than 5 scourge.
I've won a few games the following way : the guy has 8 mutas, I send and clone 10 scourge his way. He starts running away with his mutas, doing his fancy dance to kill the scourge. During that precious time, I macro my ass off, I send a few lings to his main, or I send 2-3 mutas to kill his drones. This way, whatever he does with it's mutas, I get an advantage.
On June 16 2009 22:31 lepape wrote: I think the majority of Zerg players know how to execute the chinese triangle agaisnt scourge. But from what I observed, the majority of them also can't execute it well enough, or at least fast enough to make it an efficient use of APM against more than 5 scourge.
I've won a few games the following way : the guy has 8 mutas, I send and clone 10 scourge his way. He starts running away with his mutas, doing his fancy dance to kill the scourge. During that precious time, I macro my ass off, I send a few lings to his main, or I send 2-3 mutas to kill his drones. This way, whatever he does with it's mutas, I get an advantage.
Then he's just bad
+1. ZvZ is almost all about micro. You usually only have 1-2 bases and it's incredibly easy to macro and micro efficiently at the same time.
Hm, maybe this is a stupid qustion since noone's had any trouble with the map, but when I try the map, there's no latency because I play it in single player mode, since rendering it useless for practicing my micro in a bnet latency envioroment (spelling?). Am I doing it wrong? Thought I'd ask since the thread is pretty much openeded again.
On June 18 2009 07:05 Papvin wrote: Hm, maybe this is a stupid qustion since noone's had any trouble with the map, but when I try the map, there's no latency because I play it in single player mode, since rendering it useless for practicing my micro in a bnet latency envioroment (spelling?). Am I doing it wrong? Thought I'd ask since the thread is pretty much openeded again.
There's not much difference if you're playing on iccup.
EPT![[image loading]](http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7228/muta1oy0.jpg)
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