Hi, I'm a 900 Diamond playing exclusively Terran. Watching my replays, I find that my APM averages to around 40-50. I would like to increase this which would hopefully help improve my game. Any tips that people can share to help with this?

I'll give an example in the early game, there's 3 things I need to do:
1) Keep my scouting SCV alive.
2) Build my base.
3) Kill opponent's scout.

I find it impossible to do all 3 and struggle already with 2. I've played nearly 500 1v1 games already and feel that I haven't improved my APM. My lack of APM also means that I avoid the heavy multi-tasking builds like bio (which I'll love to try more often).

Is there a specific mindset / technique that people do to help with their multitask / APM?

Pfeff

United States270 Posts

September 15 2010 17:43 GMT

First tip is to use the search function as this thread is posted at least twice a week

Secondly, just make sure you are doing everything you need to be doing at the right time. Queuing units in line will lower it...but your big problem is thinking that micro is the way to improve APM, when in fact it is macro that will make the biggest difference. Micro will keep more units alive but macro will give you more units to use. Play a few games with just a-moving into battles and not watching them, strictly macro. Once you get that down, then worry about your micro. If you feel like there's nothing for your hands to be doing then you need to work on your mindset, or give yourself more things to do (expos, more unit producing buildings, etc)

Just my two cents, although I really think people need to stop worrying about APM...

FC.Strike

United States621 Posts

September 15 2010 17:46 GMT

You improve your APM by:
1. Knowing what you're doing
2. Making a conscious effort to play slightly faster than you're comfortable with

In that order.

onionchowder

United States137 Posts

September 15 2010 17:48 GMT

I think the best answer is simply practice. The biggest reason why APM helps is it allows you to macro and micro at the same time, so focus on that in your games more. Harass with your reapers while going back to base and building when there's a break in the action or a key timing is reached. Do multiple drops, bouncing back and forth between both to make sure either drop fails to something stupid.

Another important note about APM is that each action ought to be meaningful. You can have a high APM if you spam attack-move during fights, but it frankly isn't necessary. If some actions during a fight would not improve the outcome, then use those actions to macro better.

My APM isn't great either, but I've noticed my ability to multitask improving. I know some BW players would do exercises to improve mouse accuracy and APM.

Nyarlathotep

United States10 Posts

September 15 2010 17:49 GMT

The best way to improve your APM is shockingly, by doing it naturally. Work on something simple at a time. Example given, work on improving your macro, having everything running at once. Watch your replays and yell at yourself with a building ISN'T doing something. Now: keep this going the entire time.

As you find yourself needing to do more actions, you'll HAVE to get better at APM to compensate. Similarly, to improve your micro, watch battles and look at what you can do differently in order to improve. As you require more micro and it is on your mind, you'll slowly get better at microing.

positron.

634 Posts

September 15 2010 17:50 GMT

Hot key your scout and your CC. When you scout shift click your scout around your opponent's base 3 or 4 times then press the hot key for your CC twice to get back to your base to build, make scv or follow the opponent's scout. Come back to your scout before the shift clicks run out and keep repeating for as long as you can.

Kyandid

Canada124 Posts

September 15 2010 17:51 GMT

Don't think of high APM as a cause of being a good player, but rather a symptom. Worrying about raising APM will make you play worse than worrying about playing well, which will properly boost your APM.

SilverPotato

United States560 Posts

September 15 2010 17:56 GMT

On September 16 2010 02:51 Kyandid wrote:
Don't think of high APM as a cause of being a good player, but rather a symptom. Worrying about raising APM will make you play worse than worrying about playing well, which will properly boost your APM.

Well said, I agree. Just wait OP, your APM will increase the more you play.

MoreFaSho

United States1427 Posts

September 15 2010 18:00 GMT

I'm sorry, 40-50 apm and you're 900 diamond terran? **Facepalm**
I'm guessing you execute pretty similar builds in every game and don't scout (wasn't even on your list) and just a-move and win. This is harsh, it should be harsh. You need to increase that list of things you do and just don't tell yourself there are things you don't have enough APM to do. Take one extra thing at a time and add it and don't take that's impossible for me because I have 40-50 apm as a valid response.

SpaceYeti

United States723 Posts

September 15 2010 18:05 GMT

#10

Play Zerg.

But srsly, I find that practicing a very macro intensive style alone can not only improve your game-play, but also your APM as you learn to manage your production buildings and base units for efficiently though repetition. Apart from that, there are online resources you improve your mouse proficiency and reaction times, and there are custom maps designed to help you multi-task better. Try searching for these and see if they help any.

I only have ~90 APM on average, so take it with a grain of salt. However, I'd say that my APM has increased by about 40-45 since the end of beta just from practicing executing my build orders as smooth as possible and from trying to play a more macro intensive style. I also play with a n52te peripheral and a Razer Naga. I'm not convinced that these actually help me in the long run because with how I currently have the configured, I don't have access tot he F# keys, or to things like backspace, etc. However, I am very comfortable with them and they are conveniently fully configurable up to the number of buttons that you have.... So, this doesn't actually have anything to do with your question or this thread perhaps, but for people considering using a gaming peripheral like the n52te or the Razer Naga mouse, note that there are both serious pros and cons with them.