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[Q] Macro map versus micro map

Forum Index > Brood War Strategy
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t_co
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States702 Posts
May 07 2008 17:58 GMT
#1
What makes a map a "macro map" versus another map?

E.g. I've heard people say maps like Arcadia are macro maps and I understand why (2 free expoes) but then people say that Luna is a macro map; then they'll say that Shin Peaks (which has even more expoes per player) is not a macro map.
"Look, don't congratulate us when we buy a company, congratulate us when we sell it. Because any fool can overpay and buy a company, so long as there is money to buy it." --Henry Kravis
DragoonPK
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
3259 Posts
May 07 2008 18:02 GMT
#2
I think macro maps tend to have more bases and resources available, while micro maps tend to be not that big and not filled with bases which rely mostly on the little micro battles.
alffla
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Hong Kong20321 Posts
May 07 2008 18:09 GMT
#3
well also i think shin peaks has more up and down ramps and little paths that big units cant get through and so therefore generally more micro is involved o.O

also more different paths that go around the map as opposed to the wide open areas of arcadia and luna
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!
t_co
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States702 Posts
May 07 2008 18:21 GMT
#4
What about Longinus and Python, then? Longinus in particular seems to have elements of both--lots of ramps and chokes but also a shitton of gas and easily securable bases...
"Look, don't congratulate us when we buy a company, congratulate us when we sell it. Because any fool can overpay and buy a company, so long as there is money to buy it." --Henry Kravis
Proposal
Profile Joined December 2007
United States1310 Posts
May 07 2008 18:26 GMT
#5
I would say most maps these days are macro-orientated...
alffla
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Hong Kong20321 Posts
May 07 2008 18:42 GMT
#6
well i would say longinus is still macro because the ramps are still massive ramps and they all lead to one main very wide and open raised area.
and chokes i dunno there aren't that many chokes are there? 3 chokes for the bases?

python is definitely macro. its the new luna haha
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!
XCetron
Profile Joined November 2006
5226 Posts
May 07 2008 18:51 GMT
#7
blue storm is like in between.
SuperJongMan
Profile Blog Joined March 2003
Jamaica11586 Posts
May 07 2008 18:52 GMT
#8
Micro maps - Blood Bath, Microwars, Microwars Gold, MT, etc.
Macro maps - Everything else ??
POWER OVERWHELMING ! ! ! KRUU~ KRUU~
BlackStar
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
Netherlands3029 Posts
May 07 2008 18:55 GMT
#9
Counting the number of expos to determine if a map is a macro or micro map is stupid.

On Longinus you can do rush builds in certain matchups. Range goon to kill the terran wall and snipe the siege tanks are popular, viable and strong. Also 2 gate in PvP is very common. Hell, it's basically standard on Longinus. And you do have a lot of possibilities to attack.

Blue Storm is a macro map. Unless you proxy, it's difficult to kill your opponent quickly. In PvP many people still go 2 gate. But they do that to expand as quickly as possible, not to attack.

If Longinus is a macro map, then what is a micro map? Blood Bath?
RaiZ
Profile Blog Joined April 2003
2813 Posts
May 07 2008 19:11 GMT
#10
On May 08 2008 03:55 BlackStar wrote:
Counting the number of expos to determine if a map is a macro or micro map is stupid.

On Longinus you can do rush builds in certain matchups. Range goon to kill the terran wall and snipe the siege tanks are popular, viable and strong. Also 2 gate in PvP is very common. Hell, it's basically standard on Longinus. And you do have a lot of possibilities to attack.

Blue Storm is a macro map. Unless you proxy, it's difficult to kill your opponent quickly. In PvP many people still go 2 gate. But they do that to expand as quickly as possible, not to attack.

If Longinus is a macro map, then what is a micro map? Blood Bath?


Blue storm a macro map ?!? oO
What if you're playing a zvt and you see a drop in your main ?
Taht's right either you bring your newly hatched units or micro your main force to get to the 3rd base then main. The 4th base isn't really near your 2 mains, and the path to get there are limited to 3 ways. Hell you can even do some proxy gates while they're supported to an upper pylon while the gates are in the mains.
With all those fact, if you're still saying it's a macro map then i don't know what to say.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. Oscar Wilde
Orome
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
Switzerland11984 Posts
May 07 2008 19:18 GMT
#11
There are different factors that determine whether a map favours macro or micro play, but the most important factors are the land distance between the bases and the expansion availability (not the amount of expansions). The further apart the bases are, the stronger macro builds are and the easier it is to take and defend an expo, the more people will favour that over doing aggressive builds.

Other factors are air distance (making drops more viable, i.e. 6 vs. 9 on LT), amount of paths between the bases (the more the harder it is to defend expos), cliffable expansions (most importantly the nat, cliffable nats force you to tech before expanding, favouring micro play), ramps at your main/natural and miscellaneous factors like natural buildings.

Let's look at a few examples from the point of view of PvT, because that's probably the most dynamic macro/micro matchup with both sides having excellent resources in both.

The nats on Longinus are a bit harder for T to take than usual because there's no ramp at the main, making him more vulnerable to all-in play. There are a lot of resources for Protoss early-game to try to punish a greedy Terran. Once both have their nats however, the map start clearly favouring a macro approach. Why? Because of the easily accessible, easy to defend, very valuable double gas expos. Terran pushing from two bases, trying to punish the expanding Protoss is possible, but if he fails he's in a horrible position because he'll be facing a 4 gas Protoss with just his main and nat. Additionally there are no cliffs and no alternative pathways to the bases, clearly making this map a macro map.

Python's a bit of a mix between LT and Luna. The big land distance between the bases makes this a clear macro map, although it doesn't seem to be as bad as Luna, as it has short air distance between some bases (12/3, 6/9) and the third expansions are somewhat harder to acquire than on other maps.

Lost Temple's a mix of macro and micro factors dependant on the positions. The nats are cliffable, making expanding players more vulnerable to drop playbut there are no alternative pathways, making it rather straightforward. The land and air distance between the bases vary heavily depending on the positions.
On a purely personal note, I'd like to show Yellow the beauty of infinitely repeating Starcraft 2 bunkers. -Boxer
Daranee
Profile Blog Joined January 2007
338 Posts
May 07 2008 20:30 GMT
#12
On May 08 2008 04:11 RaiZ wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 08 2008 03:55 BlackStar wrote:
Counting the number of expos to determine if a map is a macro or micro map is stupid.

On Longinus you can do rush builds in certain matchups. Range goon to kill the terran wall and snipe the siege tanks are popular, viable and strong. Also 2 gate in PvP is very common. Hell, it's basically standard on Longinus. And you do have a lot of possibilities to attack.

Blue Storm is a macro map. Unless you proxy, it's difficult to kill your opponent quickly. In PvP many people still go 2 gate. But they do that to expand as quickly as possible, not to attack.

If Longinus is a macro map, then what is a micro map? Blood Bath?


Blue storm a macro map ?!? oO
What if you're playing a zvt and you see a drop in your main ?
Taht's right either you bring your newly hatched units or micro your main force to get to the 3rd base then main. The 4th base isn't really near your 2 mains, and the path to get there are limited to 3 ways. Hell you can even do some proxy gates while they're supported to an upper pylon while the gates are in the mains.
With all those fact, if you're still saying it's a macro map then i don't know what to say.


lol...i think he addressed your concerns in his post. Also, every game of starcraft is going to have some micro, but the distance/pathing of the map allows for players to easily defend a large area.
BlackStar
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
Netherlands3029 Posts
May 07 2008 20:46 GMT
#13
On May 08 2008 04:11 RaiZ wrote:
Blue storm a macro map ?!? oO
What if you're playing a zvt and you see a drop in your main ?



Air units ignore the map. Fact is the pathing of Blue Storm favours quick expansions. And it's even a split map.
[X]Ken_D
Profile Blog Joined May 2005
United States4650 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-05-07 20:59:57
May 07 2008 20:50 GMT
#14
On May 08 2008 05:46 BlackStar wrote:
Air units ignore the map. Fact is the pathing of Blue Storm favours quick expansions. And it's even a split map.


Blue Storm is a micro map especially compared to maps like Longinus and Python. I would say it is even more of a micro map than Shin Peaks.

The map doesn't split in half until a lot later. The close distance encourage harassment. It is more difficult to secure the 3rd mineral only or 3rd gas so people have to "micro" for it. Even the 2nd gas is prone to attack because of the small hole. The drop distance is relatively small and the entrance from their base from a cliff is on your half.
[X]Domain - I just do the website. Nothing more.
8882
Profile Blog Joined December 2003
2718 Posts
May 07 2008 21:53 GMT
#15
Id say that every map, which allows to FE easily is a macro map.
I dont consider Lost Temple a macro map, because the natural expansion can be cliffed. Gamea Gowon allowed to harass the expo too etc.

Luna is a good example of a macro map, despite the unblockable ramp, it still allows to FE easily.

Btw. I dont understand this weird trend - usually all maps allow the protoss and terran to FE, but when the zerg goes for the standard 2nd expo, there arent any maps, that allow him/her to cover the whole expo+ramp with 3 sunkens (like on LT).

On May 08 2008 03:52 SuperJongMan wrote:
Micro maps - Blood Bath, Microwars, Microwars Gold, MT, etc.
Macro maps - Everything else ??


A map can be big, but can still be a micro map. It's not about the size, but the gamestyle e.g. there could be a 256x256 map which would not have a natural expansion..
I have returned
BlackStar
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
Netherlands3029 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-05-07 21:54:22
May 07 2008 21:53 GMT
#16
Ken_D, you are comparing Longinus with Python?

ScarFace
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States1175 Posts
May 07 2008 22:49 GMT
#17
pretty simple: a macro map is a map where macro play is most advisable and easy, a micro map is the opposite. Some maps can have a lot of resources and still be a micro map, simply on the location of the players and the terrain. Some maps can have less resources than normal but still be macro, because the players are far from one another [no cheese] and the terrain is relatively simple.
Can you dig it?
[X]Ken_D
Profile Blog Joined May 2005
United States4650 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-05-09 07:04:22
May 07 2008 23:38 GMT
#18
On May 08 2008 06:53 BlackStar wrote:
Ken_D, you are comparing Longinus with Python?



No, I'm comparing Blue Storm to both Longinus and Python.

I'm using the OP's example.

On May 08 2008 02:58 t_co wrote:
E.g. I've heard people say maps like Arcadia are macro maps and I understand why (2 free expoes) but then people say that Luna is a macro map; then they'll say that Shin Peaks (which has even more expoes per player) is not a macro map.

[X]Domain - I just do the website. Nothing more.
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