United States8476 Posts
1. First, read the Strategy Forum Guidelines
Specifically:+ Show Spoiler +[H] Help threads.
Post a replay, give your own analysis, get help!
The classic “Why did I lose this game?”. For these threads it is absolutely required that you post a replay. No exceptions. Nobody is going to be able to help you if you won’t post a replay.
Additionally, first put some thought into what happened in the game, and include your own analysis into the thread. It might be wrong, but try your best. It doesn’t have to be long, a few point form lines is enough to give people a starting point to give you advice. Your thread won’t last if you won’t put any effort in it.
If you have specific questions, ask them along with your analysis. It’s always easier to reply if we know what exactly you need help with.
[Q] Question threads
Ask for help with or against a specific strategy
In a [Q] thread you may ask about a specific, situational strategy, whether that is executing it yourself of playing against it. It is very important that you keep these threads specific. A general "How to FE against Zerg?" is not acceptable. This is the most important distinction from the [H] threads. As with [H] thread you must post one or several replays.
Post some analysis of the problem, and what you have tried so far. This not only avoids redundant advice but also shows people you have put some effort into this yourself.
As with the [H] threads, it makes it a lot easier to help you if you ask a couple of specific questions regarding the strategy you are unsure about.
Feedback on [H] and [Q] threads
Be respectful and accept the advice you get
Be respectful of the opinions people give you – you came here looking for help. If you disagree with a reply, cite examples or give some sort of analysis supporting why you disagree.
Experienced players should be direct and give advice that is generally accepted as standard. Their advice should be as specific as possible, as open-ended advice (“play faster”) isn’t very helpful.
Only reply to a help thread if you are an experienced SC2 player, and if you have watched the replay. Otherwise, these threads are simply no place for you to post.
2. Use the proper tag, either [H] or [Q].
[H] is for why did I lose?
[Q] is for a very specific question regarding the replay.
3. Use the search function before you open up a new thread. Many times, your questions are already answered somewhere. When you search, under options, make sure you click "Title and Content" instead of just "Content". Also, narrow down your searches by selecting only the Starcraft 2 Strategy forum instead of all forums. Here is a good example of such a search. You can also narrow your results by searching for tags, like [G], or matchups, like PvZ. Be sure to also search ZvP, however, if you do this. Here is what you get after you add those filters.
In addition, check the Recommended Threads thread before opening up a new topic.
4. [Q] threads are for specific questions only involving a replay. If you have a more general question or a question that doesn’t have a replay use the following threads:
Simple Questions Simple answers
Terran Help me Thread
Zerg Help me Thread
Protoss Help me Thread
5. You MUST post a replay with either type of thread.
6. Post ONE replay per thread.
People are much more likely to watch your games if you just provide one game to watch. You may post auxiliary replays, but specify which replay is the main one so people who don’t have time to watch all of them can still help.
7. Analyze your replay
Check the model threads section for good examples. This is by far the most important point for the following reasons:
- It's REQUIRED by forum guidelines and your thread could be closed because of this alone.
- People are more likely to help you if they see you put effort into your OP.
- You'll get better responses/analysis that are targeted for you and may clear up your misconceptions.
- The more effort you put into your post, the more targeted specific responses you’ll get.
8. Don’t rage or QQ about balance in your thread. It just makes you seem childish and discourages people from helping.
9. Determine if you lost because of macro solely before you post a replay. Refer to this Analyzing Replays thread for more information.
10. Respond to your responses. You can fish for clarifications and more detailed advice. In addition, it makes the people who helped you feel like they didn't waste their time, as some people make a thread then either forget about it or never respond back.
11. Use a replay uploading website instead of a file sharing website. Sites like megaupload force you to wait before you can download and can be used to send viruses. Here are some good replay sharing sites:
http://www.sc2replayed.com/
http://replayfu.com/
http://drop.sc/
Examples of model threads:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=291502
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=292965
Examples of unacceptable threads:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=293219
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=292817
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=292784
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United States8476 Posts
SC2 Strategy Forum Guidelines: Version II
The following is an updated version of the SC2 Strategy Forum guidelines. The first purpose of this is to update the rules so that they can more conform to the modern strategy forum. The second is to more clearly lay out and define the rules so you can't say they're unclear or not posted anywhere.
Rule No 1: Everything you say must be supported by evidence.
This game is still fairly new and evolving all the time. No one has a definite answer for every strategy related question for SC2. Thus it is extremely important that you back up everything with sound reasoning, a replay, a VOD, anything that supports the point you are making. Your word is not enough - you know just as little about the game as everybody else.
That said, there are people much more qualified to talk about strategy than others. You will see their posts in this forum highlighted with a light blue background. Statements by these “blue posters” will be weighted differently than had they be posted by complete unknowns. Thus, the less reputation you have, the more you need to back up your claims as previously described. Note, however, that this does not excuse outrageous claims by a good player – in the end everything will need proof.
Also keep in mind:
- This is no place for balance discussion.
- B.net league placements aren't that relevant. Your top masters spot doesn't mean anything.
Special Threads
There are a few special stickied threads in this forum they deserve specific attention:
- SC2 Strategy Recommended Threads
Before opening any type of thread or asking a question, you should probably read this thread first. Chances are there’s already something for you!
- Simple Questions Simple Answers
This thread is for the most basic of questions that are just a few lines(or even one line) and can be answered in a few lines(or one line). More often than not, these questions won't generate too much actual strategy related discussion, if any discussion at all. Also, if your question is not race specific, this is probably the place to go. Some examples of questions include:
- Why do some pros not mine the middle minerals at the beginning of the game?
- Why do I see Zerg players not scouting the close positions first?
- How many workers should I transfer to my new natural?
More guidelines can be found in the opening post of the thread.
- The Race Specific Help Me Threads:
The ![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/SC2T_small2.png) Help Me Thread, The ![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/SC2Z_small.png) Help Me Thread, The ![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/SC2P_small.png) Help Me Thread
The race specific help me threads are where you want to go when you have a strategy-related question or discussion topic, but you don't think it deserves its own thread. For example, if you want to know how to generally respond to a "1-1-1" build as protoss, you would ask here. You wouldn't ask in the simple questions thread, because the answer could be rather complex and is more strategy related. You also wouldn't open up your own [Q]Question Thread, because you just want to know the general answer and you don't have a replay(a pre-req of a [Q] thread) for a specific game.
Opening Your Own Thread
All threads opened in the Strategy Forums must fall into one of the following categories:
Thus, the first rule of opening a new thread is that all threads must have at least one of the 4 main tags([H][Q][D][G]) in the thread title and may include the [L] Low Level tag. Tagging your threads is very important, as the difference between [D] Stephano Style and [G] Stephano Style is worlds apart. Please use thread categorization correctly as described below. It give readers a reasonable expectation of what they can expect to find once opening the thread and you will get faster feedback faster as well.
Categorizing thread also makes it easier to find threads later on using the search function. For example, you can easily search for “[H] Stephano Style” and there you are.
The following is an explanation of all the types of threads and tags in the Starcraft 2 Strategy Forums.
- [H] Help Thread: Post a replay, give your own analysis, get help!
This is the classic “Why did I lose this game?” thread. For these threads it is absolutely required that you post a replay. No exceptions. Nobody is going to be able to help you if you won’t post a replay.
Additionally, first put some thought into what happened in the game, and include your own analysis into the thread. It might be wrong, but try your best. It doesn't have to be long; just a few lines is enough to give people a starting point to give you advice. The more analysis you give, the better advice you will get in return. Your thread will be closed if you won’t put any effort into it.
If you have specific questions, ask them along with your analysis. It’s always easier to reply if we know what exactly you need help with.
- [Q] Question Thread: Ask for help with or against a specific strategy
In a [Q] thread you must ask about a specific, situational strategy, whether that is executing it yourself of playing against it. It is very important that you keep these threads specific. A general "How to FE against Zerg?" is not acceptable and these types of questions should be asked in the race specific specific help me threads. One way to look at the difference between [H] and [Q] threads is that in a [Q] threads, you are using a replay as an example of the question you're asking while in a [H] thread, you are a bit more clueless and the replay is your question.
As with [H] thread you MUST post one or more replays.
Post some analysis of the problem, and what you have tried so far. This not only avoids redundant advice, but also shows people you have put some effort into this yourself.
As with the [H] threads, it makes it a lot easier to help you if you ask a couple of specific questions regarding the strategy you are unsure about.
Feedback on [H] and [Q] threads:
- Be respectful in your response and remember Rule No 1.
- Be respectful as the original poster of the opinions people give you – you came here looking for help. If you disagree with a reply, cite examples or give some sort of analysis supporting why you disagree.
- Only reply to a help thread if you are an experienced SC2 player, and if you have watched the replay. Otherwise, these threads are simply no place for you to post.
- Experienced players should be direct and give advice that is generally accepted as standard. Their advice should be as specific as possible, as open-ended advice (“play faster”) isn’t very helpful.
- When responding, differentiate between your opinion(in your experience) and what is generally accepted as standard.
- [D] Discussion Thread: Be clear about the topic and the feedback you are hoping for
This is the most open form of thread. Use a Discussion thread if you are not certain about some game mechanic and you want to get the feedback from other players. This can be about strategy and tactics, the role and viability of certain units, rock paper scissor counters, etc. The building blocks of what becomes sound SC2 strategy.
While the thread is less formal, please be clear and concise on the topic you want to discuss about, and open with your own opinion. Don’t make the topic too broad.
Make sure that the topic is worthy of discussion. If it can be definitively answered easily, it should probably be in a race specific help me thread. Use your own judgment for this.
This is the perfect way to post a strategy you came up with that is not quite ready to be turned into a guide (See below). Post your strategy and point out the areas where you are not sure about its validity and ask for feedback.
Feedback on [D] threads
- Be respectful and remember Rule No 1.
- You wanted to generate discussion, so please don’t brush off suggestions you don’t agree with. Post your counter argument and back it up (Rule No 1). The same goes for people replying to such threads.
- Threads like these are a welcome place for people less experienced to ask for opinions, make suggestions and engage in discussion.
- [G] Guide: Know what you are talking about
Guides are complete, detailed, and comprehensive advice for a specific strategy or tactic that can be generally executed and is not situational. Guides are held up against the highest standards of quality in this forum. They are the most valuable resource for the average player. Writing a good guide may yield you wide appreciation and e-fame, but comes with a lot of work and responsibility.
Naturally, do not write a guide about something you are not experienced with. If you have come up with a new build and you just won 6 games in a row with it, do not start writing a guide. Play your build more, tweak it, find out its weaknesses and follow-ups and branches. A good rule of thumb is to play a strategy until you lose a couple of times with it against different counters, then modify it until you win most games again, then start to think about writing a guide.
A good guide does not necessarily have to be written about a build in a specific matchup, although that is most common type of guide. If you have found a new, incredibly effective way to micro Helions you can write a generic Helion micro guide.
Most of the time, guides will introduce builds in specific matchups. Look through the Recommended Strategy Thread to get an idea on how to write good matchup build guides. There is no perfect recipe, but a few things to take care of: State the goal of the build, strengths, weaknesses, possible follow-up, and adaptations to what the opponent does. Dedicate a chapter to scouting and how to react to what you see within your build.
To give you an idea of the quality we are eventually aiming for have a look at some incredible already written Guides:
[G] Doc's Somewhat Definitive Guide to TvZ
[G] PvZ: Dealing with Muta
Feedback on Guides:
- Be respectful and remember Rule No 1.
- A guide is always evolving as the game is being more and more understood and as people find counter strategies. As the author it is your job to keep the guide up to date. If other players find weaknesses or suggest changes to the build, it is your job to alter it accordingly. If you disagree, fall back to Rule No 1: Post a replay or some other form of proof that the criticism isn’t valid.
- If you think you found a hole in a posted guide, describe your findings and why you think the guide is weak there. It makes your point incredibly more believable if you post a replay along. Also don't be lazy: Make a suggestion on how to adapt the guide to address your criticism. This is how the best guides that stand the test of time are created.
- [L] Low Level: You know you aren't a star player and you need help with fundamentals
First off, the [L] tag should always be used in conjunction with another tag. Use the [L] tag if you are still learning the basics of the game and if you have fundamental problems / questions. There is no clear cut line where "Low Level" starts - it's up to you. Do you feel you need input from a top tier player, or are you still working on mechanics? Judge your own skill.
Please note that making a [L] thread does not exclude you from obeying the rest of these guidelines or allows you to ask stupid questions.
Other Rules:
The basic, general rules of Teamliquid still apply. Of those, the most commonly broken rules include:
- Don’t post one-liners that don’t add anything to the discuss.
- No balance whining!
- No poll/survey/spam threads.
- Don't be an asshole.
Contribute!
- Contribute to this forum! Give good and meaningful advice when you can. Write good introductory OPs to spawn discussion. Even when your thread does not follow these rules here at all, if it's still a well written OP it will stay. We will always reward effort put into our forums.
- This site has been the number one resource for Starcraft strategy for one reason: Because it's base of enthusiastic players put an indescribable amount of combined effort into it. Be a part of the best source for Starcraft 2 Strategy from the beginning!
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