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[G] Bumblebees Guide to Playing with Low APM - Page 3

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
Post a Reply
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zekie
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
Canada380 Posts
October 24 2010 17:21 GMT
#41
On October 24 2010 12:31 malphigian wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 24 2010 08:17 Bumblebees wrote:
This guide is not written for the average player though. This guide is specifically intended for people who have some external limiting factor on their gameplay. This maybe a physical disability, bad equipment, emotional instability, or environmental influence.


I'd like to note that this guide you've written is also useful to those of us who have the physical disability of being over 30 (or over 35 in my case). My reaction times are simply nowhere near what they were 15 years ago, and my APM is never going to be where a 20 year olds is.

I'm sure there are a few other decrepit ancients such as much myself who can find some value in your guide.


isn't boxer over 30? i doubt he has an APM problem.
Bumblebees
Profile Joined August 2010
United States328 Posts
October 24 2010 17:49 GMT
#42
On October 25 2010 02:21 50bani wrote:
About keyboard setup:
I totally agree with what you said, in fact that is how I do it because I have played rts on a laptop a lot. However, the home row position of most Broodwar players would be "index on J pinky on F" so it is much more to the right. They engage the CTRL key with the pinky, or more precisely the second joint of the pinky, whereas you and I do it just below the first. It is also interesting that a lot of pros use the thumb on the M or even the B. Their position seems a bit tough to me but I have to concede that it has more access on the right side where the P for probe or pylon is, and also it is much easier to hit 0. I don't use this key, if I need CTRL 0 i lift my mouse hand and hit the numpad.


I realize this was common in BW, but I was speaking about BW players who've moved to SC II.

Do you know of any current SC 2 players who use fghj home row? I'd like to see video or pictures so I can analyze it a bit better.

It's also worth mentioning that just because a player is good, that does not mean they use good mechanics. I feel I've given good reasons for a number row based home row regarding mechanics, anatomy and hotkey layout. I'd be more than willing to completely rethink my standing, but that would require similar evidence to the contrary.

I've spent many years studying finger position relative to use in dynamic situations since my primary studies through school and onwards have been in music. This is a discussion that I'd like to have on a nerd level more than most things :D
voss
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Australia146 Posts
October 29 2010 04:21 GMT
#43
On October 24 2010 08:17 Bumblebees wrote:
...
[*] Creep - Zerg has the option to increase the speed and regeneration of units and gain map vision by spreading creep. This is done by queen or overlord usage, and requires frequent screen movement and building selection to maintain.
...


I see several references to your units being on creep giving (or increasing) healing rate.

I am 99.99% certain that this is false. Units other than buildings heal at the same rate all the time, regardless if they are on creep or not.

Liquipedia
Thread about creep

Neither the liquipedia page on creep or the thread on creep suggest that it does increase healing for units.
Froadac
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States6733 Posts
October 29 2010 04:56 GMT
#44
PDF: http://www.mediafire.com/?ofx2tibxjrzzx6w
Ganjamaster
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Argentina475 Posts
October 29 2010 05:22 GMT
#45
Mad props dude, this is legit.
My hoes be the thickest, my dro.. the stickiest
beamlite
Profile Joined September 2010
118 Posts
October 29 2010 06:11 GMT
#46
Impressive my friend. Looking forward to hearing more from you in the future!
greycubed
Profile Joined May 2010
United States615 Posts
October 29 2010 07:10 GMT
#47
Good read.

I've actually done a lot of research over the years on optimizing keyboard layouts for typing, so have carried over to experimenting with different layouts for starcraft with key registry modifications (totally legal btw- it's still one key press per action- you're modifying your keyboard and not the SC client). Only downside to doing this is it can take some time to install new layouts because you not only have to change the registry (using "keytweak"), but also your key layout so none of your typing keys change position (using "microsoft keyboard layout creator"). I can go more in depth with how to do it if anyone is so nerdy as to express interest.

Also I play on a laptop in a pretty cold room so that conflicts with good apm quite a bit. Lack of apm used to be a limiting factor for me.

Anyway this is what I'm currently mapped as:

[image loading]

blue keys are where the fingers and the thumb rest.

by the way I play zerg, and have the "grid" layout selected for starcraft as it is the best at consolidating actions into as few keys as possible. With custom keys being implemented later I'm sure this will be able to be improved on.

1=creep tumor
2=all overlords before lair so you can make them all spew in one key press, then 1 overseer after lair
3=hatcheries

note that Q is both the 'select larva' and 'make drone' button, so droning up involves an inward roll (the best key combo for comfort and speed).

4=infestors
5=queens

note the casters are kept on the same row as the casting keys. row changing is really terrible in keyboard design.

6=random - nydus canals or whatever. Rarely used really.
7-9=fighting units

note these are kept on the same row as and to the left of the 'T' attack button.

In general I like to keep all of the unit keys to the left of the action keys as same-finger combos are the absolute worst thing imaginable.

Things I'm dissatisfied with: I'd like the B button to be in an easier position, but haven't decided which of the keys in prime real estate are expendable yet.
http://i.imgur.com/N3ujB.png
damorphy
Profile Joined August 2010
Netherlands78 Posts
October 29 2010 07:17 GMT
#48
Very nice guide, well written ! Thanks !
Oh it's ON !
damorphy
Profile Joined August 2010
Netherlands78 Posts
October 29 2010 07:18 GMT
#49
On October 25 2010 02:21 zekie wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 24 2010 12:31 malphigian wrote:
On October 24 2010 08:17 Bumblebees wrote:
This guide is not written for the average player though. This guide is specifically intended for people who have some external limiting factor on their gameplay. This maybe a physical disability, bad equipment, emotional instability, or environmental influence.


I'd like to note that this guide you've written is also useful to those of us who have the physical disability of being over 30 (or over 35 in my case). My reaction times are simply nowhere near what they were 15 years ago, and my APM is never going to be where a 20 year olds is.

I'm sure there are a few other decrepit ancients such as much myself who can find some value in your guide.


isn't boxer over 30? i doubt he has an APM problem.


There is always the odd exception to the rule. And I am sure he would admit that he's not as fast as 10 years ago.
Oh it's ON !
Bumblebees
Profile Joined August 2010
United States328 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-10-29 11:05:38
October 29 2010 11:02 GMT
#50
On October 29 2010 16:18 damorphy wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 25 2010 02:21 zekie wrote:
On October 24 2010 12:31 malphigian wrote:
On October 24 2010 08:17 Bumblebees wrote:
This guide is not written for the average player though. This guide is specifically intended for people who have some external limiting factor on their gameplay. This maybe a physical disability, bad equipment, emotional instability, or environmental influence.


I'd like to note that this guide you've written is also useful to those of us who have the physical disability of being over 30 (or over 35 in my case). My reaction times are simply nowhere near what they were 15 years ago, and my APM is never going to be where a 20 year olds is.

I'm sure there are a few other decrepit ancients such as much myself who can find some value in your guide.


isn't boxer over 30? i doubt he has an APM problem.


There is always the odd exception to the rule. And I am sure he would admit that he's not as fast as 10 years ago.


He has said in a recent interview that he plays at the same APM and does not feel his age limits his mechanics.


On October 29 2010 13:21 voss wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 24 2010 08:17 Bumblebees wrote:
...
[*] Creep - Zerg has the option to increase the speed and regeneration of units and gain map vision by spreading creep. This is done by queen or overlord usage, and requires frequent screen movement and building selection to maintain.
...


I see several references to your units being on creep giving (or increasing) healing rate.

I am 99.99% certain that this is false. Units other than buildings heal at the same rate all the time, regardless if they are on creep or not.

Liquipedia
Thread about creep

Neither the liquipedia page on creep or the thread on creep suggest that it does increase healing for units.



Sorry, I missed that one. I will fix it in the next update.
SilverPotato
Profile Joined July 2010
United States560 Posts
October 29 2010 13:44 GMT
#51
Hey Bumblebees! Great write up, I passed this on to a bunch of my friends.

One thing I think you should mention is that Zerg can inject larva from the minimap. Basically Zerg can hotkey queens to 2, Press 2, and hold shift + V and click, click, click... that whacks off about 20 actions required to inject larva
"The ability to learn faster than your competitors may be the only sustainable competitive advantage." ~Arie de Geus
Innsmouth-Zerg
Profile Joined August 2010
Austria137 Posts
October 29 2010 14:07 GMT
#52
awesome, this is gonna help me a lot cause i just don't seem to be able to get over 50
stand up defend or lay down and die
Bumblebees
Profile Joined August 2010
United States328 Posts
October 29 2010 14:46 GMT
#53
On October 29 2010 22:44 SilverPotato wrote:
Hey Bumblebees! Great write up, I passed this on to a bunch of my friends.

One thing I think you should mention is that Zerg can inject larva from the minimap. Basically Zerg can hotkey queens to 2, Press 2, and hold shift + V and click, click, click... that whacks off about 20 actions required to inject larva


People with low APM due to limitation are not going to benefit by using the minimap for spawn larva. That requires fast fine motor skills where inaccuracy requires repeating the action again with the same requirement.

Minimizing the number of errors greatly increases efficiency, so relying on clicking a very large hatchery is more efficiency than clicking a very small spot on the minimap.

Not only that but your method requires removing eyes from the 'game-screen' for a period of time, and those who have low APM due to focus problems will have difficulty with that as well.


It's a good technique for people to try, but I suspect it's fairly useless if not outright harmful for the people this guide was aimed at.
KoArtist
Profile Joined September 2010
Colombia23 Posts
October 30 2010 16:24 GMT
#54
awesome guide
Pain is just weakness leaving the body
BasilPesto
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Australia624 Posts
October 31 2010 14:01 GMT
#55
Excellent work, I'll be referring to this often.
"I before E...*sunglasses*... except after C." - Jim Carrey
Endorsed
Profile Joined May 2010
Netherlands1221 Posts
October 31 2010 16:50 GMT
#56
Just a question, what's your APM ?
Turo
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Canada333 Posts
October 31 2010 17:42 GMT
#57
Excellent read. You can tell there has been a lot of work put into this.

Crystal368
Profile Joined September 2010
Sweden161 Posts
October 31 2010 21:58 GMT
#58
TL;DR.

Seriously though, great job! I read some parts, the ones that felt appealing, and they were great. You really seem to like writing :D (alot, both meanings)
|MKP|MMA|ThorZaIN|SjoW|SeleCT|
Bumblebees
Profile Joined August 2010
United States328 Posts
October 31 2010 22:03 GMT
#59
On November 01 2010 01:50 Endorsed wrote:
Just a question, what's your APM ?


I average about 25 as zerg.
polyrhythmic
Profile Joined August 2010
20 Posts
October 31 2010 22:08 GMT
#60
excellent.
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