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SC2Psych: Win/Loss Streaks & Performance Anxiety

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
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RukKus
Profile Joined October 2010
United States197 Posts
January 12 2011 23:54 GMT
#1
I am going to keep this short and sweet, but here's the TL;DR for those of you who want to get back to laddering:

The more you lose, the more you think about losing, the less thinking you do about the game you're playing. The more you win, the less you think about losing, the better you do.


SC2 Psychology: Winning Streaks, Losing Streaks
Taking control of your overactive mind to maximize your performance potential

It seems counter-intuitive to be careless. Yet why is that when you stop caring about whether you win or lose, you perform better? Paradoxical as it may seem, carelessness can be beneficial in many important situations. Ever asked a girl or guy out, rehearsed your question hundreds of times, even in your sleep, and then choked the one time it mattered most? It's happened to all of us. It's a byproduct of performance anxiety, and it sucks elephant balls.

So let's reduce it, shall we?

Think of a typical mindset before you find a game on the ladder. Everyone's mindset is different, but let's generalize and find an average mindset. Perhaps there's hesitation. You're about to click the orange button and then you think, "Wait, if I lose this next one I'll get dropped to 2nd place in my division," or "I might get promoted next game, so I can't lose." After a moment you click the button, and your hands are shaky as you try to remember your very basic opening build. Like me, maybe you accidentally build your Gas before your Rax and have to change your whole strategy based on that one mistake.

Now, let's analyze a less-common mindset prior to clicking that button: "I have a 50% chance of winning/losing, but 100% of learning something new and getting better." It's not merely a glass-half-full mentality that you see in heart-warming films, it's actually a method of reducing the amount of pressure you put on yourself to play better. Here's where winning and losing streaks come in.

A losing streak is nasty. There seems to be a gravity that makes losing more likely the more it happens -- a self-sustaining snowball of defeat. When you lose it does not end there. The effects of a loss carry on to the next game, and then the next, and the next, until the vicious cycle is broken. But why is this? Let's look at a winning streak.

A winning streak is beautiful because the more you win, the more confidence you have. It seems your gosu vibe brings along a sense of invulnerability. The linking element between winning and losing is the thinking about losing part. Here's where we get some answers.

A losing streak causes you to think more about losing, whereas a winning streak causes you to think less about losing. When you're thinking about losing, you inherit that performance anxiety as I mentioned before. You think about your performance as its occurring, and thus you think less about what you're actually doing. You're thinking, "He's going to attack, I know it, I'll lose if he attacks." Usually, these sort of thoughts are defensive, not offensive. And as we all know, pure defensive playing never wins in Starcraft. You become so afraid of losing that you 'turtle' your thoughts and become a victim.

A victim to 4-gate. A victim to proxy dark shrines. A victim to cheese. A victim to imba. A victim to all-ins. A victim to the maps. A victim to voidraybansheemutaliskOhmygodwhere'smyAA!?

Losers are victims. It's sad because they don't gain anything from the process. Their growth and learning are in stasis as their thoughts are focused inward on all of those terrible tragedies they suffer. They don't bother watching replays because the emotional trauma is too much to relive again, because they feel victimized and taken advantage of. It's normal, it happens to each one of us. Don't feel worse because you feel this way as it will only bring you down more. It's caused many others to quit SC2, thinking either the state of the game is broken or they are incapable of advancing beyond X League.

On the opposite spectrum are those who seem to have mastered the process, the Progamers, who, though they may lose tournaments viewed by tens of thousands on streams worldwide, seem to never have bad days or losing streaks. Their physical games may have a visible losing streak, but their mindset never enters a losing streak. When they fall back, they don't stay that way for long.

Progamers rarely QQ. They may speak on a perceived imbalance, but it's more along the lines of, "I really feel Blizzard should look into this aspect of the game," opposed to, "Oh my god I'm going to quit if they don't patch this." Back when Terran was a lot more powerful as it is now, IdrA never quit nor turned Terran. The pros seem to work with what they have and make it work.

Back to the orange button.

You're calm and cool. You think to yourself, "No matter what happens, I'm going to become a better player. If I lose, I'll take a few deep breaths, watch the replay, do some push ups, and be back in better performance." You start the game, and as you play you sense peace. No longer you're thinking, "Oh my god I better not lose." Instead, you think, "I need to get upgrades," "I need to get AA," "I need to expand." All of your energy and thoughts are devoted to the game. You are playing at your maximum potential in the zone. Your friends watch your expressions and think you're playing Minesweeper, but really you're burning through 200 supply of ambition. And sure you may lose the game, but because you cleared your thoughts and regained your long-term perspective, your losses don't follow you for long. You may lose 50 points today, but hot damn you'll be 250 points higher by next month. You understand that the visible Bnet points aren't a representation of your limitations, only a representation of the process it takes to get there.
Micro... Kill Kill! Macro ... Build Build! ... Micro ... Kill Kill! Macro ... Build Build... Stim...RAAAAAGE!
Sourman
Profile Joined January 2011
Portugal9 Posts
January 13 2011 00:30 GMT
#2
I'm going to agree with you on this. I'm on a losing streak right now and it feels awful. After the 1st loss, the feeling was "Well, you can't win them all." After the 5th it was more "OMG, I suck at this game!".

I did learn something from every game (being a newbie does have that advantage), but it does get to me. I'll take this opportunity to ask: What should I do now? Try to clear my head and go find another game, or call it a day and go and practice build orders?
Psychonaut
Profile Joined October 2010
United States11 Posts
January 13 2011 00:49 GMT
#3
Very interesting
Goobus
Profile Joined May 2010
Hong Kong587 Posts
January 13 2011 00:53 GMT
#4
This reads like a self help book

Something like, "Now close your eyes...you imagine your losing streak to be a long, winding road full of potholes. Now you're driving along this road and consciously, you see every pothole and steer deliberately to avoid them. There is a light at the end of the road...imagine this light to be your healing color...this light is victory and you lather your body in it."

Something like that.
plagiarisedwords
Profile Joined November 2010
United Kingdom138 Posts
January 13 2011 01:28 GMT
#5
I've noticed clear patterns of win streaks and losing streaks in my play. I cant seem to avoid it. I find best approach is to just keep playing the win streaks and stop playing the losing ones. Go on TL, watch youtube, analyse replays. etc etc. Just stop playing for a while
ChinaMENG
Profile Joined December 2010
United States33 Posts
January 13 2011 02:43 GMT
#6
Omg the losing streaks are just terrible! When I get one loss I think ill shake it off and its when I start accruing losses that my game goes south and players I should have beat just destroy me. I like the advice though I think I need to really take a step back after a loss or two. Thanks for the advice!
Touch
Profile Joined August 2010
Canada475 Posts
January 13 2011 02:53 GMT
#7
I will reword your whole OP post.

Masturbate.
Sieg
SamuraiProgrammer
Profile Joined August 2010
United States13 Posts
January 13 2011 02:58 GMT
#8
I would approach this the same way we approached Physics Exams in College...

Just as a Samurai would focus on the beauty of each stroke of the sword...
Focus on the now...
Focus on what is in front of you...
Do not worry about results...
There is no win or lose...
ONLY the BEAUTY of EACH move!

If you give the details of macro and micro the care they deserve for their own sake
Winning will take care of itself.


(To Be Honest --- I still have anxiety when entering a match - Perhaps I should take my own advice)
Bridge Players Unite
DisaFear
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Australia4074 Posts
January 13 2011 03:28 GMT
#9
So many people here I can relate to.
One loss is fine. Two, also fine. When it reaches five, "OMG I NUB"
Perhaps it'd be a good idea to take a break after a loss streak

Also, I am anxious when playing the first match of the day, or after a long time. After I get the first match done, I can continue playing
How devious | http://anartisticanswer.blogspot.com.au/
Linconis
Profile Joined October 2010
United States9 Posts
January 13 2011 03:34 GMT
#10
On January 13 2011 08:54 RukKus wrote:
It's happened to all of us. It's a byproduct of performance anxiety, and it sucks elephant balls.


I understand, but was wondering if you could elaborate on the science of this process.

I am curious the exact means by which the production of performance anxiety creates an auxiliary condition of negative pressure on pachyderm testicles......

Other than that, I totally agree. Good Post. :-p
Vexas
Profile Joined November 2010
United States98 Posts
January 13 2011 03:49 GMT
#11
I thoroughly enjoyed this post and will be trying to correct my mental processes before/during/after games with this in mind. Thank you OP!

Gl and Hf!
"Sooner or later we're all someone's dog" ~Angua
eth3n
Profile Joined August 2010
718 Posts
January 13 2011 04:37 GMT
#12
I hate winning streaks, cause when I lose it feels blah, whereas normally losing lets me learn so much, when I win its like "wow how the hell did i win this, this guy made huge mistakes" and I can only really glean things like my horrible macro or whatever.

I like a good mix of both to be honest, rank doesn't matter to me I just want to steadily improve (that being said I have won my last 13 zvzs and every time I play one now I get wayyyyyy more nervous than normal)

For serious loss streaks (3+), I think its time to do something else :D
Idra Potter: I don't use avada kedavra because i have self-respect.
samboi
Profile Joined December 2010
England69 Posts
January 13 2011 04:48 GMT
#13
when i lose i go do some team games :p
GG
Bygone
Profile Joined October 2010
United States58 Posts
January 13 2011 04:52 GMT
#14
Honestly, This plays a bigger role than most people think. To go further rather than a win/lose streak, people feel differently after they click the search button and find out they are playing an undesired map vs race you aren't comfortable with, terran on steps of war for example seems impossible to the point that I just vetoed the map in fear of rolling a terran opponent.
Gemini_19
Profile Joined June 2010
United States1243 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-13 04:55:43
January 13 2011 04:54 GMT
#15
I love your signature xD

The analysis is amazing as well. This definitely helped me a ton as I have these awful losing streaks as well.

Just look at that 6 loss streak I had yesterday...I think of which 4 or 5 were <10 minute PvPs -__-
@GGemini19 GM Protoss | http://www.twitch.tv/geminisc2 | I <333 HerO & Trap | Check out my Build of the Week series on /r/allthingsprotoss, TL, or Spawning Tool
inamazon
Profile Joined January 2011
Canada21 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-13 05:10:34
January 13 2011 05:07 GMT
#16
sick post.

I wanted more of this mentality to spread over b.net because it's less suffering for everyone.

As a poker player, I find it interesting to live through the variance in the medium of a video game instead of through the felts.
C'est la vie
Tohrazer
Profile Joined January 2011
United Kingdom75 Posts
January 13 2011 05:10 GMT
#17
i actually had an experience of this recently, i had an 8-9 winstreak and then when i lost one, i lost like several further games, strange how you can go from a 100% ratio to a 0% ratio for seemingly no reason, the opponents werent in a higher league or anything
CaNaDaN
Profile Joined January 2011
United States3 Posts
January 13 2011 06:13 GMT
#18
This pretty much sums up the mentality I've adopted when it comes to laddering. It actually only recently clicked for me, I'd have to guess about a little over a week ago, but better late than never. I definitely feel much calmer before pushing that wonderful orange button and my play has improved a lot since as a result of my change in philosophy, so it's definitely an approach I'd recommend to anybody who's feeling like they've hit a wall in terms of skill. To help me maintain this attitude, I always take a break for at least few hours after a three game losing streak because I find that it's easier to process those three games rather than feeling overwhelmed by the larger streak that would have likely resulted had I kept playing. If I happen to lose upon my return to the game, it's easier to to mentally separate those sets of games because while it's technically one long losing streak, they don't feel as connected and it's easier to push forward and improve.

The other part of the issue is the winning streak. Going on a long winning streak is obviously going to feel much better than going on a long losing streak, but I've found that it can have negative effects on my play as well if I don't handle them properly. If I go on a longer winning streak (6-7+ games), I like to continue playing until I lose and then take a break similar to if I had lost three in a row. Going from winning so many games in a row to suddenly losing even two in a row can really make you call your play into question. Thoughts such as: "What changed in my play in that short period of time to cause me to lose?" begin creep in and can cause you to make mistakes you would have otherwise been able to avoid in future games. Obviously nobody's play is perfect and everybody can improve in some facet or another, but you might begin looking at the wrong elements of the game as a result from being so hot to going so cold. Taking the break after the first loss immediately following a long winning streak really helps me focus on what I did well during the winning streak and what I could have improved upon to make my victories more convincing.

I feel that being able to handle both winning and losing properly is important to improving as a player and that it's something that everybody should take into consideration along with the build orders, timings, tactics, and whatever else would normally be at the forefront of your thinking regarding gameplay.
jarrydesque
Profile Joined November 2010
584 Posts
January 13 2011 07:14 GMT
#19
Thank you for this post - I've found it helpful and I will stick:

"50% chance of winning, 50% chance of losing, 100% chance of learning"

on my monitor with the rest of my reminders.
#1 Kennigit fanboy/stalker
OrangeNinja21
Profile Joined November 2010
United States84 Posts
January 13 2011 13:34 GMT
#20
Great post OP. Having a clear mind when playing is extremely important and can make for a fun gaming experience, rather than one filled with rage and contempt.

I have something to add that might be a little off topic but it relates to losing games and maybe other people are feeling the same.

I play Terran at low Diamond (~1000 but Bnet pits me against ~2k diamond opponents) and I had an 11-game losing streak today (with 3 wins sprinkled in, 2 being where the other player dropped -___- ) and I maintained a clear head throughout without raging.

Here's my problem though:


It's frustrating to lose because the reason I am losing is not because of rage, bad macro or build orders. I can harass and I can expand in a timely manner and my in-game APM is relatively high for not spamming (~150). The most trouble I have is when big battles occur. There are important micro-related decisions one must make in a split-second that will either make or break the game, and these sorts of things I cannot practice whenever I want to. Some examples of this would be things like EMP shots, tank & army placements, army movement, anything micro-related during huge battles.

I wish there was a way I could continuously practice these huge battle scenarios, in the same way that as I can endlessly practice my build orders and general macro in a game against the computer. Common sense tells me that I need practice partners to hone this down but does anyone have any suggestions for a way to practice these sorts of split-second decisions for large battles by myself because that is the main reason I lose games in general. It would be so great to try tackling the same battle scenario over and over in different ways to get instant feedback on what works and what doesn't, instead of having to macro up every single time.

If you read the whole thing, kudos to you, and gl hf in your future games :D
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
capnspiff46
Profile Joined October 2010
United States49 Posts
January 13 2011 14:18 GMT
#21
On January 13 2011 13:48 samboi wrote:
when i lose i go do some team games :p



^^^^ This is what I do. Lose a game on the ladder? Go and play a random 4v4 until you win. The perspective that a random 4v4 at platinum level (and above, I assume) can provide is great.

After that first 4v4 win, I go back to the 1v1 ladder and (more than likely) win at least 1 if not start a winning streak.

The anxiety felt at the beginning of the match can only be sated by playing more games, in my opinion. I felt the same way while doing arena stretches in WoW. Ramp up, feel the adrenaline kick in, then screw up. Only after playing more arenas (and now ladder games) do I become numb to the adrenaline surge. This allows more focus and it becomes more instinctual.
LoL: Brouk
Koshi
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Belgium38799 Posts
January 13 2011 14:47 GMT
#22
This is so true.

Yesterday I played for 8 hours straight to get into Master League. It is remarkable how it seems that wins and losses always come in groups. I think I had something like 55% wins yesterday but the wins and losses were never alone. Never 1win 1loss 1win 1loss 1win 1loss, More like 3 wins 5 losses 6 wins, 2 losses etc.
I had a good night of sleep.
[F_]aths
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Germany3947 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-13 15:46:29
January 13 2011 15:19 GMT
#23
On January 13 2011 23:47 Koshi wrote:
This is so true.

Yesterday I played for 8 hours straight to get into Master League. It is remarkable how it seems that wins and losses always come in groups. I think I had something like 55% wins yesterday but the wins and losses were never alone. Never 1win 1loss 1win 1loss 1win 1loss, More like 3 wins 5 losses 6 wins, 2 losses etc.
This is fully normal with a real random distribution. Try to flip a coin and write down the order in which you get either side. A very even distribution for a short series is very unlikely.
You don't choose to play zerg. The zerg choose you.
Nizzy
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
United States839 Posts
January 13 2011 15:19 GMT
#24
Clap Clap Clap. I agree with most of the post and for me as well a lot of it is spot on. I agree with samboi, when I lose a lot I will just go mess around in some 4v4 RT's. They most likely make my overall game worse but less pressure. Even when I lose in 4s I don't care, but solo I freak out.
Grapefruit
Profile Joined November 2010
Germany439 Posts
January 13 2011 15:22 GMT
#25
My mindset these days is pretty much: "F*** my W/L ratio, the ladder will be reset soon anyways."
Starcraft 2 is funny, everybody picks the race, which he considers to be the weakest. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
anathema
Profile Joined September 2010
Poland20 Posts
January 13 2011 15:58 GMT
#26
On January 13 2011 12:28 DisaFear wrote:
So many people here I can relate to.
One loss is fine. Two, also fine. When it reaches five, "OMG I NUB"
Perhaps it'd be a good idea to take a break after a loss streak


Also, I am anxious when playing the first match of the day, or after a long time. After I get the first match done, I can continue playing


this is exactly how I feel and what I do.
I even start practicing macro vs very hard AI to make it more solid... where my biggest problem is LACK OF SCOUTING!
OfficerTJHooker
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada97 Posts
January 13 2011 16:16 GMT
#27
I kind of stopped this mentality after I was promoted to diamond and I focused on training for an upcoming tournament.

Honestly, (at least in my perspective), you really don't have time to brood and cry over your losses. Of course I get irritated when I lose games, and of course I'll get angry if I lose to a cheesy strategy. But I never neglect to THINK about the previous game. Just asking things like 'Why did I lose?' 'Was it mostly my fault or did my opponent do something completely dominating?' 'If the former, what did I do specifically that cost me the game?' 'If latter, how would I better scout the build and react properly to it?'

There are no real losers in SC2... The only losers are those who refuse to learn from their mistakes and adapt.

And I know it sucks watching a replay where you got dominated, but it's absolutely necessary sometimes.
Scoot and turn, scoot and turn...
Sourman
Profile Joined January 2011
Portugal9 Posts
January 13 2011 17:25 GMT
#28
OrangeNinja21:

Have you tried the Unit Tester map? It hasn't been updated in a while, but it might serve your needs.
RukKus
Profile Joined October 2010
United States197 Posts
January 13 2011 17:43 GMT
#29
On January 13 2011 09:30 Sourman wrote:
I'm going to agree with you on this. I'm on a losing streak right now and it feels awful. After the 1st loss, the feeling was "Well, you can't win them all." After the 5th it was more "OMG, I suck at this game!".

I did learn something from every game (being a newbie does have that advantage), but it does get to me. I'll take this opportunity to ask: What should I do now? Try to clear my head and go find another game, or call it a day and go and practice build orders?


I always find FFA entertaining as a way to clear your mind. Maybe 2v2, but those can be more frustrating, so usually I'll have fun doing mass Thor or Mass BC in FFA.

I have seen many people advise time away from the game for a few hours after a string of losses. But I cannot do that in my situation. I am usually pre-occupied with other things, and then I have a chunk of one or two hours to play, with no opportunity to take a "two hour break to clear my mind." Unless it's Monday, then I have about 4 hours to play, but still, during those four hours I want to get as much SC in as possible. So breaking for even an hour will cut my gaming time significantly.

So I have learned ways to cool off that don't take more than 10 minutes:

1) Pushups. Adrenaline, exhaustion. They work great for venting my pent up stress.
2) Make some tea. Green tea has been scientifically proven to promote relaxation and relieve stress. (For you nerds, research "Theanine").
3) Meditation. Clear your mind, refocus.

Also what works is devaluing the Point System. You can devalue something by repeating thoughts such as, "Points don't matter. My score doesn't matter. It'll get reset anyways. If I get good enough I won't even have to try to gain points, they'll come naturally."

This is VERY HARD. We've been en-grained with the idea that these points are our life. It's also because of the pressures faced in social networks, ie, "If you're not in Diamond League your opinion doesn't matter." We attribute a very shallow, one-dimensional determiner to an opinion's validity. It's the same kind of thinking that makes all little girls obsessed with beauty and perfection because that's what they see on magazine covers.

We need to stop idolizing these points! By 'worshiping' these points we're creating very bad players. I feel that cheese is sort of a symptom of BNet ranking idolization. People brag, "I got into Diamond by cheesing!" Right? What if they were forced to play a non-cheese game? They're probably bronze league with all their other skills.

I also feel that light-hearted discussion during a game keeps you calm and cool. I always say something funny and witty in the start of a game, such as "Ready for some epic space battles!?" The responses are hilarious, and gets me in a light mood. Then when I lose I usually make a weird frowny face and try to calm my frustration. I'm getting better but I'm still nowhere near being completely efficient using these techniques, they've been helping much so far though.
Micro... Kill Kill! Macro ... Build Build! ... Micro ... Kill Kill! Macro ... Build Build... Stim...RAAAAAGE!
thurst0n
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States611 Posts
January 13 2011 18:04 GMT
#30
On January 13 2011 08:54 RukKus wrote: Your friends watch your expressions and think you're playing Minesweeper, .

Haha you're right man it's all in your head! Definately good to have the right mindset so you can learn as much as possible from every match.
P.S. I'm nub. If you'd like you can follow me @xthurst but its not worth it ill be honest
Sourman
Profile Joined January 2011
Portugal9 Posts
January 13 2011 18:08 GMT
#31
On January 14 2011 02:43 RukKus wrote:

So I have learned ways to cool off that don't take more than 10 minutes:

1) Pushups. Adrenaline, exhaustion. They work great for venting my pent up stress.
2) Make some tea. Green tea has been scientifically proven to promote relaxation and relieve stress. (For you nerds, research "Theanine").
3) Meditation. Clear your mind, refocus.




I'm the in same position as you, only having an hour or two for Starcraft, so I can sympathize with not wanting to stop playing. The pushups thing does sounds pretty neat, I think I'll try that next time.

As for my relationship with the point system it is very frustrating to play a few games, win some points and think "Yes, I'm improving!" and all of a sudden loose all those points. I know they are not a reflection of my skill (or lack thereof if I'm being honest ) but it still hurts to see them drop.
Ponyo
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States1231 Posts
January 13 2011 18:22 GMT
#32
you need to be able to walk away from the computer imo. Just for 20 minutes go watch TV or yea sure watch some replays/TL/Day9/Youtube, but once your in that losing streak, try to get out of the situation.
ponyo.848
maxtodd
Profile Joined June 2010
58 Posts
January 13 2011 18:48 GMT
#33
Or, because the match making system ups the difficulty when you're winning and then lowers it after some losses? It seems like that's the reason for the majority of tilts.
RukKus
Profile Joined October 2010
United States197 Posts
January 13 2011 18:52 GMT
#34
*loses to zerg*
*fumes*
*watches progamer stream to cool off*
Oh wow, tank, marine, marauder timing push is all it takes to beat Zerg!?
*tries it*
*baneling splash sound, terran death cries through speaker*
*loses to zerg*
*fumes*
*watches progamer stream to cool off*
Oh wow, fast banshee into thor marine is all it takes to beat Zerg!?
*repeat*

Obviously, the whole learning process takes time
Micro... Kill Kill! Macro ... Build Build! ... Micro ... Kill Kill! Macro ... Build Build... Stim...RAAAAAGE!
solidbebe
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Netherlands4921 Posts
January 13 2011 19:02 GMT
#35
Lol


*loses to zerg*
*fumes*
*watches progamer stream to cool off*
Oh wow, tank, marine, marauder timing push is all it takes to beat Zerg!?
*tries it*
*baneling splash sound, terran death cries through speaker*
*loses to zerg*
*fumes*
*watches progamer stream to cool off*
Oh wow, fast banshee into thor marine is all it takes to beat Zerg!?
*repeat*



This is exactly what I do.
That's the 2nd time in a week I've seen someone sig a quote from this GD and I have never witnessed a sig quote happen in my TL history ever before. -Najda
RukKus
Profile Joined October 2010
United States197 Posts
January 13 2011 19:17 GMT
#36
On January 13 2011 09:53 Goobus wrote:
This reads like a self help book

Something like, "Now close your eyes...you imagine your losing streak to be a long, winding road full of potholes. Now you're driving along this road and consciously, you see every pothole and steer deliberately to avoid them. There is a light at the end of the road...imagine this light to be your healing color...this light is victory and you lather your body in it."

Something like that.


"That light is orange. Orange is healing. Don't fear the orange; embrace it. Take a deep breath and let in peace. It becomes one with you. Now, approach the orange button. It stands, dominant, immovable. You cannot control the orange button. Instead, you move along with it. Like leaves to the wind. The orange button will take you places you are afraid to go. Your points will drop, but you will become whole. Begin to see this orange button as a guide, educating you in the world of Starcraft."
Micro... Kill Kill! Macro ... Build Build! ... Micro ... Kill Kill! Macro ... Build Build... Stim...RAAAAAGE!
RukKus
Profile Joined October 2010
United States197 Posts
January 13 2011 23:55 GMT
#37
On January 14 2011 02:25 Sourman wrote:
OrangeNinja21:

Have you tried the Unit Tester map? It hasn't been updated in a while, but it might serve your needs.


I must add and agree: The Unit Tester Map is a very very good tool to learn specific Micro techniques in order to reduce stress during certain situations. After losing incredibly to banelings several games in a row, I spend 30 minutes practicing marine vs sling/bling. I got it to the point where I could even out resources lost on both sides even vs a larger zerg army. It's all in controlling individual groups of marines and kiting/spreading enough to reduce damage done by splash. I am using big box clicks less and less, instead now microing portions of my army. I used to highlight all/stim, but now I stim only the units that are in position to deal damage. Practicing like this helps reduce stress in a game and help you focus more on other things.

I saw this other custom map where a zergling will chase a probe and you have to keep the probe safe while macroing a base in order to defeat a turtled computer opponent. I lost the link to that one, but I highly suggest you finding it and practicing it!

Remember not everything can be learned in ladder. You'll play many 30-minute ladder games only to lose in 30 seconds. So re-create those 30 seconds in custom maps to practice them over and over and over without having to go through a long game to get to them.
Micro... Kill Kill! Macro ... Build Build! ... Micro ... Kill Kill! Macro ... Build Build... Stim...RAAAAAGE!
Bonham
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada655 Posts
January 14 2011 00:51 GMT
#38
Pressure and the threat of total panic make up part of the fun of SC2 for me, because they contribute to the adrenaline and sense of excitement I get from the game.

That said, maintaining a healthy outlook is not always EZPZ, so when I lose or start to get frustrated I just remind myself that it's something I do in my spare time, for fun. I try to keep in mind that if I'm not enjoying myself, there's no obligation to keep playing – there are lots of other games (and leisure) activities I find rewarding and worthwhile. I want my SC2 time to be rewarded in fun, so when that's not happening I pull the plug and do something else.

Over time, I've found this a good way to, as SuperDanielMan might say, maintain my equanimity. It makes SC2 more enjoyable and, I dunno, wholesome or something.
Ex_Matt
Profile Joined January 2011
Canada84 Posts
January 14 2011 01:38 GMT
#39
I just re-assure myself by telling my opponent how bad he is and that he got lucky.

Never say GG either. A jolly loser remains a loser.
Fear the reaper man
Sourman
Profile Joined January 2011
Portugal9 Posts
January 14 2011 02:14 GMT
#40
On January 14 2011 08:55 RukKus wrote:

I saw this other custom map where a zergling will chase a probe and you have to keep the probe safe while macroing a base in order to defeat a turtled computer opponent. I lost the link to that one, but I highly suggest you finding it and practicing it!


Right here. Haven't tested it with the new patch though, so I can't promise it will work
OrangeNinja21
Profile Joined November 2010
United States84 Posts
January 14 2011 12:18 GMT
#41
@ Sourman and RukKus, thanks a lot for the suggestions, I appreciate it ^_^

I shall try out both of those custom maps and see how things go, thanks again!
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Nolari
Profile Joined November 2010
Netherlands51 Posts
January 14 2011 12:40 GMT
#42
Related Liquipedia page: http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Dealing_with_anxiety
Antiproduct
Profile Joined January 2011
Netherlands50 Posts
January 14 2011 12:42 GMT
#43
I had a massive winning streak in Bronze. I was even beating diamond players. But after the roach range buff I lost 6 times in a row and was fighting bronze players again...
Op is OP
Thor-axe the Impaler
Profile Joined April 2010
United States331 Posts
January 14 2011 13:17 GMT
#44
On January 13 2011 09:30 Sourman wrote:
I did learn something from every game (being a newbie does have that advantage), but it does get to me. I'll take this opportunity to ask: What should I do now? Try to clear my head and go find another game, or call it a day and go and practice build orders?

This is exactly where I fall up too. I don't know if I should quit or keep trying.
Psychedelic Rock Album http://soundcloud.com/dead-rock-music
[F_]aths
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Germany3947 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-17 16:22:33
January 17 2011 16:13 GMT
#45
On January 14 2011 22:17 Thor-axe the Impaler wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 13 2011 09:30 Sourman wrote:
I did learn something from every game (being a newbie does have that advantage), but it does get to me. I'll take this opportunity to ask: What should I do now? Try to clear my head and go find another game, or call it a day and go and practice build orders?

This is exactly where I fall up too. I don't know if I should quit or keep trying.
On a weekend, try to play 10 or 15 games in a row. If you do it several times, you get the endurance. You also care less about losses because you also get some wins to compensate the losses. With some endurance you will have less fear of playing again. This makes it easier to keep trying as long as you have the condition to play.
You don't choose to play zerg. The zerg choose you.
infinity21 *
Profile Blog Joined October 2006
Canada6683 Posts
January 17 2011 16:25 GMT
#46
If I'm frustrated, I usually pace around my room and take deep breaths. If I'm really frustrated then things start flying :p
Official Entusman #21
SKaREO
Profile Joined September 2010
Canada58 Posts
January 17 2011 17:53 GMT
#47
Great thread, lots of helpful advice. Thanks!
행운 게임을 즐길 수
Darkomicron
Profile Joined November 2010
Netherlands216 Posts
January 17 2011 19:00 GMT
#48
I read it all! Very interesting. I love psychology and I actually have these winning and losing streaks. If I lose once, it doesn't really matter a lot, but if I lose 3+ times in a row, it's like getting some kind of tunnel vision... Your mind goes through all the options you should be taking into account (this is especially the case if you get cheesed by a 4gate, then by dark templar, then by a 6 pool and then by cloaked banshees)... Sometimes I break the cycle by reminding myself... Hey, I scouted... I know what's up. There's nothing to worry about, I saw he took banshees, let's make some phoenixes!
"Night will fall, and so will you"
kalteras
Profile Joined March 2011
United States72 Posts
October 28 2011 16:54 GMT
#49
Banshees are responsible for my Social Anxiety Disorder...
Look at the damn minimap - Day[9]
TimeRunnerS
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
Denmark164 Posts
October 28 2011 17:10 GMT
#50
Im on a losing streak and this really helped me out! thank you man
''OWN THOS SCRABNUBS!'' Athene - best gamer in the world
Ripps
Profile Joined April 2011
Canada97 Posts
October 28 2011 17:46 GMT
#51
Great post. Very relavant to how I play.

I recently went on a EIGHT game losing streak. All TvP. Almost all one base all-ins. #LifeInPlatinum
I was devastated. I didn't even look at the replays. I didn't want to see where I missed the DTs. I didn't want to see how easily the Immortal All-Ins crushed my bunkers (and then I lost again to the same build because I didn't learn the lesson that one more bunker would have saved me). I was making mistakes left and right (including that same gas before rax thing you mentioned).

But then I remembered, the leagues are locked! This really doesn't matter all that much.
Knowing that it didn't matter let me play way better. It made me relax. I immediately started winning again.
"Video games are bad for you? That's what they said about rock and roll." -Shigeru Miyamoto
urSa
Profile Joined July 2011
United States77 Posts
October 28 2011 17:48 GMT
#52
I am high masters and here is what you do to avoid anxiety: don't think about it just play. If you do think about it, think of how it's practice and you're going to get better. If that still doesn't sit well with you it means you lack confidence in yourself and that you don't believe you'll get better despite practicing. so you need to change your character somehow....good luck!
Warzilla
Profile Joined December 2010
Czech Republic311 Posts
October 28 2011 18:21 GMT
#53
A victim to voidraybansheemutaliskOhmygodwhere'smyAA

Man best one :D
"AFTER LOST GAME - I usually run around in circles yelling "WHY OH GOD WHY" in my room, pointing towards the sky. After 5 to 10min ,i get tired and go back to playing"
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