Hello fellow sc2-lovers. I'm a rank 1 platinum player (probably diamond next season) and I'm starting to get comfortable in most areas of my game. One thing I totally suck at though is constantly watching the minimap. Recently I've been trying to watch the minimap from time to time when I watch streams or VODs, but I find it hard to actually get any information from it with just a glance. I kind of need 1-2 seconds to really analyze the mini map to get a good grip of the map control I have vs my oppontents etc.

My question is, when do you higher level players actually watch the minimap? Is this something you do every 3rd second or is it something you do while macroing stuff like larva inject, start upgrades or whatever. I kinda need a general idea of when to at least give the mini map a bit more attention than usual. Any help is welcome, though I'd appreciate it more if you're atleast masters or higher.

Chocolate

United States2350 Posts

October 24 2011 22:53 GMT

I'm far from a high level player but I find checking it periodically a useful talent toi have. A good way to get yourself into the habit is to put units at the watch-towers at all times, and to pull them back only when you see enemy units coming (unless you really need them).
Edit: I'm diamond

rauk

United States2228 Posts

October 24 2011 23:01 GMT

i find it useful to be primarily looking at the minimap at all times

Skyro

United States1823 Posts

October 24 2011 23:04 GMT

I think at a minimum you need to be able to watch the minimap while you macro, and ofc to do this you have to be comfortable with a build enough to not have to think at all when doing it.

Avril_Lavigne

United States446 Posts

October 24 2011 23:04 GMT

you should be looking at the minimap almost all the time, I constantly bounce my eyes to the minimap and back to the top right of the screen almost all game long. Almost nothing ever gets by me without me seeing it unless i'm complete distracted in a battle and someone drops me at an expo. In other words, a well played tactic by my opponent. Other than that, almost nothing gets sneaked around without me noticing, it's really important to constantly look at the minimap

E.H Eager

United States227 Posts

October 24 2011 23:07 GMT

Day[9] did a daily on your "mental checklist" and checking the minimap should be one of the things you should do. The daily is mainly about exercises you can do to get better at all those things, which I'm sure do already to some extent since you are plat, but check it out if you want to have a good way to practice those things.
http://blip.tv/day9tv/day-9-daily-360-p1-mental-checklist-exercises-5635566

ForeverAzerG

United Kingdom101 Posts

October 24 2011 23:15 GMT

day9 has expained this time and time again just go watch him

Silidons

United States2813 Posts

October 24 2011 23:18 GMT

not a whole lot, periodically. i have it set to me being always green and the enemy always red and i guess i have a good reaction time so i can literally immediately see when 1 red dot comes onto the minimap (whenever i play team games i also am the first to notice such things and can ping the map for my team). i may just without knowing it look, but i feel like i don't, but i do have a very very good reaction time to know when a just a single red dot (such as a medivac) hits the map.

ChidoriPOWAA

Sweden17 Posts

October 25 2011 00:06 GMT

Alright, thanks guys! I guess I'll just have to practice it further until I'm more comfortable with it. I'll be sure to check that day[9] daily out. Ty!

SoKHo

Korea (South)1081 Posts

October 25 2011 00:37 GMT

#10

I watch the minimap with my preferral vision constantly. For example, if I see a red dot where my overlords were placed, I know a drop is coming.

iokke

United States1179 Posts

October 25 2011 00:55 GMT

#11

I am also curious if pros play by watching the minimap and not the screen (basically eyes on minimap at all times unless something else requires attention). Seems like the best way to play to make sure you dont miss anything (not the funnest though probably)

Remb

United States190 Posts

October 25 2011 01:02 GMT

#12

If you watch tournaments that do close ups on the players' faces, you will notice that their eyes always do the same 3 step waltz: resources, screen, minimap; resources, screen, minimap; resources, screen, minimap, constantly in some order.

Map awareness is super important at high level play. The difference between responding to the game 'under attack' warning and a dot in vision to a scout or forward base can be around 10-30 seconds time to react. Seconds win battles in RTS.

CodeMajik

Canada19 Posts

October 25 2011 01:23 GMT

#13

I like to be looking at the map most of the time, but not an absurd amount to were it distracts me from more important things. It lets me keep a close eye on Mutas, drops, etc.

TBone-

United States2309 Posts

October 25 2011 01:25 GMT

#14

You should be able to generally move around the map while still looking at the minimap. In addition to the minimap, regurally looking at your resources is very important.

coL.hendralisk

Zimbabwe1756 Posts

October 25 2011 01:27 GMT

#15

I see it in my peripheral 90%+ of the time

Stipulation

United States587 Posts

October 25 2011 01:40 GMT

#16

When I practice builds in my build order tester I spend most of my time scrolled to the corner of the map watching the minimap and my resources. That I think is a big part of what has helped me.

JonnyLaw

United States3482 Posts

October 25 2011 01:43 GMT

#17

As often as possible. This is especially true during times when watching is hardest. Namely *vT when they poke the front and you know a medivac full of bio is coming to pick on your workers.

Achilles306

Canada84 Posts

October 25 2011 01:48 GMT

#18

I play Protoss. So for me, it's make workers, look at minimap, warp in units, look at minimap, make pylon, look at minimap. Basically, whenever there isn't a battle that needs your attention look at the minimap.

Looking at the minimap will tell you if you are being attacked, harassed and how much map control you have. It is one of your most important resources in an RTS

ene13

50 Posts

October 25 2011 02:03 GMT

#19

Its not so important to memorize builds as it is to react to opponents properly, and this can only be done by doing the waltz from top right, middle, and then to the minimap.

That means you should be looking at the minimap every few seconds, even more so in the midgame when youre macroing.

Oboeman

Canada3980 Posts

October 25 2011 02:10 GMT

#20

stare at the minimap, and occasionally remember to glance at the screen.

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