Pretty good for the beginners, just looking over the Protoss section there are a few things that I could point out but at the beginner level it doesn't really matter, e.g. deliberately going Zealot -> Stalker to feign 4gate on one gas and getting a quick expo after denying the scout etc. I just wish there was more info for Protoss, there's so much out there for Zergs :-/

Da Dopeman

United States4 Posts

September 27 2011 13:38 GMT

#22

Downloaded that shit and will give it a read, I owe it that much to you for compiling the thing and then deciding to give it away for free. Could even help me improve my zerg game. TY bro

whatthefat

United States918 Posts

September 27 2011 13:59 GMT

#23

This is really impressive, you've compiled a lot of important information, including some deep concepts regarding balancing economy and unit choices, and some quite subtle information regarding scouting. Great job!

cOsmax

Belgium7 Posts

September 27 2011 14:27 GMT

#24

Very useful man, thank for you time !

lithilk

4 Posts

September 27 2011 15:33 GMT

#25

Downloaded and going to read later, thanks, man!

I always play Zerg but I think I'm going to play random from now on.

m4gdelen4

United States416 Posts

September 27 2011 16:45 GMT

#26

do you know the relevance of the builds in some of these articles? i was just wondering if any of them would be too outdated

Reithan

United States360 Posts

September 27 2011 20:06 GMT

#27

On September 27 2011 01:14 Reithan wrote:
Downloading now. Will post a review when I read it.

I think for newer players and even some older players the quick reference charts are a real good tool. Also some of the articles on how to learn and some of the basic play differences between the races are real good for newer players who maybe haven't really gotten into competitive play yet.

There are some layout problems on page 24 making it somewhat hard to read.

For the newer players, which this guide is supposedly for, some more in-depth discussion of basic mechanics and how to improve those is probably warranted. When do you box units vs ctrl+click or other selection methods? What and how do you hotkey different things? How do you prioritize different tasks or reactions? What are effective ways to micro different units in different situations?

Also, perhaps you could include links to some helpful replay files for each MU for newer users to see. Even just some pictures of in-game things might be useful.

Overall, very good guide, though.

devaj

3 Posts

September 27 2011 21:10 GMT

#28

Smoking is bad for you.

Awesome guide nonetheless.

RoyalFlush

Canada109 Posts

September 27 2011 21:21 GMT

#29

That is shit load of stuff
good contribution for the swarm indeed

teide

Spain178 Posts

September 27 2011 22:00 GMT

#30

benne geserit training <3, love the book

theonlyshaft

United States581 Posts

September 28 2011 00:50 GMT

#31

I should probably note, the title Zerg for Noobies is more a play-on-words of Zerg for Dummies (notice the "cover") than it is my actual intent to target only noobs. I want to cover a variety of things with this book. The suggestions you guys list, I can promise, won't be going into the book immediately, but when I finally find time to revise -- I haven't worked on the book in maybe a month or so -- I will definitely start trying to incorporate ideas.

There are, as people have pointed out, some flaws, a few mis-labeled items, and even some wrong page numbers in the table of contents. The reason this happened is, I was half-way through version 1.1 when I had to stop for real life priorities, and I didn't want to upload the older version. So yes, definitely a work-in-progress.

As for the build orders, some of them might be out-dated, but I try to prune those out. I'm going to incorporate a "legacy strategy" section for them at some point, so that people can re-visit old ideas under new meta-games.

I also do a web show for Zerg... I've been thinking of linking to parts of it, regarding specifics within the guide. I worry that might constitute a self-plug though and I'm really not trying to be too "oh, look at all my stuff!" (though all of my stuff is really cool and awesome and worth a look ;D). I also want to link to the day9 daily on Droning and other resources out there. Just a matter of finding the time to compile all of the resources.

--

Note: Just because I might not get to implementing changes you suggest immediately, doesn't mean I'm not noting them, so please post your comments and feedback.

PenguinWithNuke

250 Posts

September 28 2011 00:54 GMT

#32

Thanks for this. I found the times to scout particularly useful, and the "tells" for the different races. It's nice to have this information.

Edit:
Typo on page 15. Larvae do not morph into banelings, broodlords, or overseers.

michaelhasanalias

Korea (South)1231 Posts

September 28 2011 01:46 GMT

#33

Did you post this a while ago? I remember seeing this before a few months ago.

theonlyshaft

United States581 Posts

September 28 2011 02:28 GMT

#34

On September 28 2011 10:46 michaelhasanalias wrote:
Did you post this a while ago? I remember seeing this before a few months ago.

Not on TL. I did a Tips and Tricks packet, that includes some of the same information, back in like January, but it was nothing as compiled as this.

Bonsly

Canada1 Post

September 28 2011 03:01 GMT

#35

A great read for newb zerg players. I found a lot of interesting information in it too.

theonlyshaft

United States581 Posts

September 30 2011 02:48 GMT

#36

Thanks Bonsly

Augury

United States758 Posts

October 13 2011 02:39 GMT

#37

Definitely an outstanding guide for beginners, thanks for the hard work. When can we expect an update if any?

Kmonx

United States102 Posts

October 15 2011 03:16 GMT

#38

Downloaded and gonna start reading when I get home.

KimJongChill

United States6429 Posts

October 15 2011 03:27 GMT

#39

Quite a sensational title, haha.

theonlyshaft

United States581 Posts

October 15 2011 05:21 GMT

#40

Augury, there will be updates. I've actually got a lot of information that needs to go into the book. But I'm trying not to implement anything too... meta game-y into the book, if that makes any sense. For example, a build in the present meta-game to rush out roaches is an excellent tool in ZvT, because so many players are opening up with hellion expands. I want to include basic build orders, but I question even doing that, now, in retrospect. I've been considering removing them, but some are timeless. I'm really undecided on this subject, build orders and "styles" in specific, as to whether they fit with the book format. So please, feedback would be awesome.

However, yes, there will be alot of updates. There's a lot of stuff I want to get written in, however, it's mostly been taking a backseat to actually playing. It isn't so much that I'm putting it off, as I am waiting for enough information. You see, I feel like if I just add a sentence or two every time I write, the thoughts are going to kind of seem sporadic. So I wait for sizable chunks of information worth including and try to mesh them together. I'm a much better writer than editor I guess :/ When, however, heh... I love deadlines, especially the whooshing sound they make as they pass by. I promise there's going to be one soon, though, I've been meaning to write up a section on the newer maps, build orders for them, stephano's mass ling style of play, and a more comprehensive ZvZ, as well as including an incredible amount of links to VoDs on relevant subjects.