|
So if you have a boring desk job like I do, and are a competitive SC2 player who is always looking to practice and get better, I'm sure you've been in this same boat:
You've got all your work done for the day. You're dying to play some SC2 or at least practice and make good use of your time. But alas, the dingy laptop you use at work could in no way handle the game. Not to mention your boss coming around from time to time to make sure you're not slacking off. So what to do?
Well, for me I have found the best use of my time to be opening up notepad and spamming my macro cycle over and over again, until I can do it perfect. Even timing myself to see how few seconds I can do it in, so that when I'm in an intensive micro battle I can be on the lookout for a window where I can spare 2 seconds to run my macro cycle.
I will also sit there and practice seeing how fast I can click the tiny little stars of my Sci-Fi looking desktop background. Going from clicking in small areas to moving my mouse to the opposite end of the screen as fast and accurately as possible.
I'm sure you guys have done these types of things at some point. But I'm getting a bit sick of that same old desktop background and the bright white glare of notepad staring me in the face. So what other methods of practice do you use when you're at work or away from a computer that can run SC2? I'd love to get some new suggestions to mess around with.
TLDR: How do you practice your Macro/Micro when you are at work or away from a computer that can run SC2?
|
|
|
On June 29 2012 00:16 Sakagami wrote:
Google Multi task game.
To be honest that doesn't help you at all at SC2 imho.
|
minesweeper.
seriously.
try to beat easy as fast as you can, great for mouse accuracy and decision making. my best score is 14sec.
|
I tried the Multitask game just now. It's not bad. I understand the principle behind that improving your multitasking ability. But it's a little off base as far as SC2 is concerned since you don't use those key combinations at all. Not bad though. Good suggestion!
|
Lol. I will totally try Minesweeper, Errant.
|
Google, "zerg rush". A nice little easter egg.
|
Well i listen to streams and talk strategy and GSL with my boss.... yeah i know i'm lucky...
Else than that minesweeper is good, typing starcraft one handed adding the letters you use a lot (IE : starcraftvz for zerg)
|
The Zerg Rush easter egg is always fun. And yeah max, I watch a lot of streams myself. I just usually do like 10-15 games against a very easy computer just practicing my build orders before I ladder or play tournaments or anything. I wish there was a way to play those at work so I could jump straight into laddering or tournaments when I got home, haha.
|
I use the notepad -> macro cycle method. I find myself doing that even when I'm not at work. I think I enjoy spamming keys more than I actually enjoy playing starcraft now. I'm working on getting my "F3-F2-F1-Tab-Q-Q-4-2-1-Tab-Q-Q" pattern down to less than a second.
|
if the problem is simply that your comp can't handle sc2 at work then maybe bring in bw on a flash drive?
|
i usually do the clicking of the desktop background, making boxes and trying to be as accurate as possible. i like the notepad idea. i amdefinitely going to try it out
|
Osu is a good game for mouse accuracy! But it is fairly obvious that you are playing a game.. I guess you could also try out those build order programs that are out there for seeing timings of builds..?
Awesome thread btw, i want more ideas too!!
|
On June 29 2012 02:27 Frolossus wrote:
if the problem is simply that your comp can't handle sc2 at work then maybe bring in bw on a flash drive?
o.O You can play BW off a flash drive? Or are you saying just install it?
|
Great ideas, guys! Keep em comin!
What I would love to see is some sort of browser based/flash game that was a mock up of SC2 that would allow you to practice some simple things like splitting, timings, stutter stepping, macroing without getting supply blocked and keeping your money low. Basically like one of the custom trainers but not on StarCraft, lol.
|
On June 29 2012 06:43 simian_sc wrote:Show nested quote +On June 29 2012 02:27 Frolossus wrote:
if the problem is simply that your comp can't handle sc2 at work then maybe bring in bw on a flash drive? o.O You can play BW off a flash drive? Or are you saying just install it?
You can play it off a flash drive. I've done it before at my school. :D
|
Hey! This topic intrigues me, so I plan on spending this weekend and week developing a (simple) 2D mockup of SC2, where you can practice macro mechanics (injects, constant production, supply blocks, etc) in various minigames. I may add some simple micro games, but adding the AI, models, and information for every unit would be a lot of work (herp derp that's why there's development teams). Either way, it will be a fun project, and I will post here when done/looking for feedback! Basically it's going to be SC2 with SC1 graphics, hopefully will be believable enough ^^
|
Is the OP for real? Spamming macro cycle in Notepad/spam-clicking desktop background to increase apm/precision whilst at work? It never fails to astound me; how utterly, and pathetically desperate some people can be to get better at this game. Am I really the only person who laughed at this? There are far more efficacious, and far less pathetic methods of evoking the sort of improvement the OP so desperately desires. Stop taking the game so seriously, bro. And I would recommend a thorough re-evaluation of how (productively) you're spending your 'spare' time at work. When you're actually playing the game is the time for improvement.
User was banned for PBU/8 mod actions in 74 posts.
|
Its something to do while bored at work.
|
My job itself is pretty good practice. Lots of multitasking and stress and computer work. I don't even get a spare second to do anything 
But, I am considering getting a lap top to play some SC2 on my lunches! That would be a great way to get practice in.
|
On 6-29-2012 TheZanthex wrote:
On June 29 2012 06:43 simian_sc wrote:
Show nested quote +
o.O You can play BW off a flash drive? Or are you saying just install it?
You can play it off a flash drive. I've done it before at my school. :D
Dude BW at school is the best thing ever. :D Same problem OP. You could try missionred.com for mouse accuracy that's what I usually do.
|
United States4883 Posts
I have the windows icon as my destop background. I generally like to practice boxing the entire logo as accurately as possible, the each one of the windows. I practice boxing from all directions and try to make as small of a box as possible as fast as I can.
Another thing I commonly do is spam between browser tabs by clicking on them. I use Chrome, so the tabs at the top are relatively free of other buttons. It's fun to click back and forth as fast as possible, making certain you don't accidentally X out of it.
Is the OP for real? Spamming macro cycle in Notepad/spam-clicking desktop background to increase apm/precision whilst at work? It never fails to astound me; how utterly, and pathetically desperate some people can be to get better at this game. Am I really the only person who laughed at this? There are far more efficacious, and far less pathetic methods of evoking the sort of improvement the OP so desperately desires. Stop taking the game so seriously, bro. And I would recommend a thorough re-evaluation of how (productively) you're spending your 'spare' time at work. When you're actually playing the game is the time for improvement.
Are you for real? There's no need for asinine responses on this forum. Some people actually ENJOY Starcraft and enjoy learning and playing...why would be ridiculous to practice Starcraft on a non-Starcraft medium? Pianists practice on tables to insure memory and accuracy, does that make them pathetically desperate to play piano better?
|
hmmmm.....I usually circle the middle part of the screen to check my mouse accuracy. I also tab my fingers every now and then to make my fingers able to move more freely. It really works because my one hand typing is now pretty fast and accurate
|
is there a https or secure website with any games for mouse accuracy? and is there any way to get team liquid page on a browser that doesn't let you see sites that are consider gaming sites
|
just some of the ways i "practice" when im not physically playing.
mental/visualization practice!
i do lots of mental practice during my free time. just lean back n use your imagination! be VERY detailed when u visualize!
imagine yourself doing the actions. when u start your warm up games eventually, refer back to that mental blueprint of how u would like your actions to look like, and then adjust.
develop a mental checklist n know it like as though its your birthdate!
as quoted from (i think) day9, "macro is in your eyes! where u look at any point of time."
starting from the beginning the loading screen, i know that im gonna click hatch, build a drone, then select my drones n split to start mining. i imagine where my eyes look at(i do it with my eyes closed so i have a very clear image in my mind).. for example,
1) centre of screen. where the hatch is so i can click it and then "s d".
2) around centre the centre area of screen. where the mineral line is (top, left, right, bottom of hatch), select workers and send to mine, split if u want or however u like to do it.
after that, i know i will hotkey my hatch to 5. so what i do is i imagine myself selecting hatch, press left shift with pinky, index finger on number 5.
i try to be as detailed as i can when i "daydream". also, the more u think about the same thing, the faster u become at thinking it, and eventually, "doing" it, because it feels kind of second nature.
if u dont mind looking like an idiot in front of your colleagues while picturing what u're doing, move! play "air keyboard/mouse"!!! XD because the keyboard/mouse at work/school is never gonna be the same as the one u use at home (especially with regards to mouse sensitivity, i play with a high sensitivity). as a side note, u dont have to move exactly/precisely at all! if u have used a keyboard and mouse before, u dont need to "search" for the spacebar/esc button right? u get the idea.
some times when i "daydream-sc2-practice", i even notice that my head twitches here n there because im imagining myself looking at minimap, top-right, minimap, bottom-centre, top right, minimap, etc etc.
just a rough idea of how i see it. u can learn faster and sometimes even more than what u expect, without actually doing it physically, but mentally.
u'd probably be questioned if u're sleeping at work though! GLGLHFHF~
|
you should try playing the game in your head, imagine your self doing things.. it's actually a common practice among athletes.. imagine your self moving your hands/mouse/keyboard.. ; )
|
On July 01 2012 12:20 uLaLuLaLume wrote:
Is the OP for real? Spamming macro cycle in Notepad/spam-clicking desktop background to increase apm/precision whilst at work? It never fails to astound me; how utterly, and pathetically desperate some people can be to get better at this game. Am I really the only person who laughed at this? There are far more efficacious, and far less pathetic methods of evoking the sort of improvement the OP so desperately desires. Stop taking the game so seriously, bro. And I would recommend a thorough re-evaluation of how (productively) you're spending your 'spare' time at work. When you're actually playing the game is the time for improvement.
User was banned for this post.
TL is far too strict. This is good life advice. Why are you banning for this? OP needs to rethink how productively he spends his time.
|
United States8476 Posts
On July 02 2012 06:26 djdoodoo wrote:Show nested quote +On July 01 2012 12:20 uLaLuLaLume wrote:
Is the OP for real? Spamming macro cycle in Notepad/spam-clicking desktop background to increase apm/precision whilst at work? It never fails to astound me; how utterly, and pathetically desperate some people can be to get better at this game. Am I really the only person who laughed at this? There are far more efficacious, and far less pathetic methods of evoking the sort of improvement the OP so desperately desires. Stop taking the game so seriously, bro. And I would recommend a thorough re-evaluation of how (productively) you're spending your 'spare' time at work. When you're actually playing the game is the time for improvement.
User was banned for this post. TL is far too strict. This is good life advice. Why are you banning for this? OP needs to rethink how productively he spends his time.
He wasn't banned for just this post. He's a PBU who was let back in despite having 4 other banned account. He was also put on a very short leash, and he should have been banned a long time ago, around his first 2-4 offenses rather than letting him get to his 8th offense in 74 posts. TL was not strict enough, if anything, in his situation. I edited banned reason in this case, but usually if banned reasons are unclear or dubious, check the automated banned list in the closed threads forum.
Oh and it's quite a bad post, doesn't contribute at all, and is just flaming the OP.
If you have problems with moderation, take it up in website feedback, not here.
|
Thankyou for clearing this up.
|
I tap my fingers REALLY fast on my leg, as fast as I can, as if I were playing an invisible piano.
|
Isn't there many games you can try online that helps u get better with multitasking, micro etc? If someone knows a few good games that can help a lot feel free to PM me if so ;]
|
wait until you come home and do nothing but ladder, you won't get better at work. You will improve though.
|
I like minesweeper, making boxes on my desktop, using the painting program and trying to make accurate squares with boxes to represent force fields, and, lastly, I love to run sc2 in windows and do some meaningless micro challenge.
|
United States4883 Posts
On July 02 2012 09:17 Snoodles wrote:
I tap my fingers REALLY fast on my leg, as fast as I can, as if I were playing an invisible piano.
Doesn't work very well for me because I DO play the piano hahaha. But yes, I think it's definitely viable to just train your fingers constantly to be more agile. If you're ever watching netflix or GSL or something at your comp, you can also just unplug your keyboard and practice tapping the hotkeys. I generally like to practice these sets: 123, 124, 125, 678, 890, shifting my hand as quickly as possible in between. It makes you a TON faster, and a lot more accurate moving around the keyboard. You can practice this in notepad at work as well.
|
On July 01 2012 11:56 Mavvie wrote:
Hey! This topic intrigues me, so I plan on spending this weekend and week developing a (simple) 2D mockup of SC2, where you can practice macro mechanics (injects, constant production, supply blocks, etc) in various minigames. I may add some simple micro games, but adding the AI, models, and information for every unit would be a lot of work (herp derp that's why there's development teams). Either way, it will be a fun project, and I will post here when done/looking for feedback! Basically it's going to be SC2 with SC1 graphics, hopefully will be believable enough ^^
Woot! Go Mawie! I look forward to checking out your results. 
Great contributions, guys! I love the brainstorming we have going on. All great suggestions! I especially love the piano style air typing or leg tapping. Great way to excercise your fingers.
@trolls: I apologize if you took my OP as a bash on work ethics. Because it was not meant that way at all. In fact, the reason I have spare time at work to practice these things, is because I have my days work finished long before my co-workers. While it is against company policy to play video games in the office, it is not against any policy to browse the web and such. Hence my reason for posting.
Secondarily, I truly believe that to play SC2 at a GM + level, you have to be this determined to practice as much as possible. You need to constatnly be thinking of ways to improve your play. Constatnly thinking of new and exciting ways to practice so it doesn't get stale. When you look at brilliant minds such as Beethoven, that man practiced relentlessly. Some times being drug out of bed by his father in the middle of the night and forced to practice! While I don't condone his father's methods, you get the principle. If you want to be the best, you have to practice harder than the best.
And yes, while this is "just a game" for most people that play it, it will become a career for those who dream it and desire to put in the work.
|
Ok so the good news is I wrote a 3D graphics engine with lots of vectormath to boot, and I've got item selection down, hotkeys shouldn't take long either. Camera centring on buildings is done (f.ex. double tap 4 and it will centre on whatever building you have hotkeyed). The really fucking hard part will be MBS (multiple building selection). Adding a UI is hard enough, but selecting multiple buildings?? Man, the amount of AI used when you hit 5dddaaaaaa (2TL 3Reactor rax) is actually ridiculous. Not to mention little white dots to show a production queue lmao. I'm thinking that I will start with zerg stuff, as MBS where S selects all your larvae is easy. Again, since this will be a /macro/ trainer, I doubt that it's necessary to put up with specifics like unit pathing AI and even maps. There's a reason that gaming companies have full teams 
Anyways, I'll keep you posted. May even start a thread (probably in SC2 general forums) once this gets ready to release. I'll probably make it open source to 1) Possibly get extra hands, and 2) avoid any and all legal issues with Blizzard.
Disclaimer: Graphics will look like a shitty version of minecraft, but worse.
|
On July 03 2012 10:54 Mavvie wrote:Ok so the good news is I wrote a 3D graphics engine with lots of vectormath to boot, and I've got item selection down, hotkeys shouldn't take long either. Camera centring on buildings is done (f.ex. double tap 4 and it will centre on whatever building you have hotkeyed). The really fucking hard part will be MBS (multiple building selection). Adding a UI is hard enough, but selecting multiple buildings?? Man, the amount of AI used when you hit 5dddaaaaaa (2TL 3Reactor rax) is actually ridiculous. Not to mention little white dots to show a production queue lmao. I'm thinking that I will start with zerg stuff, as MBS where S selects all your larvae is easy. Again, since this will be a /macro/ trainer, I doubt that it's necessary to put up with specifics like unit pathing AI and even maps. There's a reason that gaming companies have full teams Anyways, I'll keep you posted. May even start a thread (probably in SC2 general forums) once this gets ready to release. I'll probably make it open source to 1) Possibly get extra hands, and 2) avoid any and all legal issues with Blizzard. Disclaimer: Graphics will look like a shitty version of minecraft, but worse.
I'm a bit of developer as well; let me know if I can help, or you want alpha tester. I'm suprised you didn't just use Unity and the GUI layers... likely would have saved you some time on the engine stuff, and you could export it to mobile/flash eventually as well. Anyway, I had been tossing around the same idea since mid 2011, but never got off my ass to do it. Looking forward to your progress. :-)
|
Sc2planner.com and lurking TL is what I do. I am terrible though, because this is about as close as I get to actually playing some weeks. I feel like the multitask games don't really translate into SC2 very well. Also, my mouse sensitivity at work is limited by my piece of shit WYSE terminal so I have to have low sensitivity at home to match =(
|
On June 29 2012 00:23 ErrantMind wrote:
minesweeper.
seriously.
try to beat easy as fast as you can, great for mouse accuracy and decision making. my best score is 14sec.
great.. now i found out (to my surprise) that even on beginner you can end up with a 50/50 scenario... wtf.
|
On July 03 2012 10:54 Mavvie wrote:Ok so the good news is I wrote a 3D graphics engine with lots of vectormath to boot, and I've got item selection down, hotkeys shouldn't take long either. Camera centring on buildings is done (f.ex. double tap 4 and it will centre on whatever building you have hotkeyed). The really fucking hard part will be MBS (multiple building selection). Adding a UI is hard enough, but selecting multiple buildings?? Man, the amount of AI used when you hit 5dddaaaaaa (2TL 3Reactor rax) is actually ridiculous. Not to mention little white dots to show a production queue lmao. I'm thinking that I will start with zerg stuff, as MBS where S selects all your larvae is easy. Again, since this will be a /macro/ trainer, I doubt that it's necessary to put up with specifics like unit pathing AI and even maps. There's a reason that gaming companies have full teams Anyways, I'll keep you posted. May even start a thread (probably in SC2 general forums) once this gets ready to release. I'll probably make it open source to 1) Possibly get extra hands, and 2) avoid any and all legal issues with Blizzard. Disclaimer: Graphics will look like a shitty version of minecraft, but worse.
Awesome man! I'm super stoked to see what you come up with! Let me know if I can help in any way. I'm not much of a programmer but I can do some web design and I'm great with PR if you decide you wanna market it.
|
On June 29 2012 00:25 Rinrun wrote:
Google, "zerg rush". A nice little easter egg.
That's... f/&%ing hilarious.
|
On July 03 2012 11:04 Cheshyr wrote:Show nested quote +On July 03 2012 10:54 Mavvie wrote:Ok so the good news is I wrote a 3D graphics engine with lots of vectormath to boot, and I've got item selection down, hotkeys shouldn't take long either. Camera centring on buildings is done (f.ex. double tap 4 and it will centre on whatever building you have hotkeyed). The really fucking hard part will be MBS (multiple building selection). Adding a UI is hard enough, but selecting multiple buildings?? Man, the amount of AI used when you hit 5dddaaaaaa (2TL 3Reactor rax) is actually ridiculous. Not to mention little white dots to show a production queue lmao. I'm thinking that I will start with zerg stuff, as MBS where S selects all your larvae is easy. Again, since this will be a /macro/ trainer, I doubt that it's necessary to put up with specifics like unit pathing AI and even maps. There's a reason that gaming companies have full teams Anyways, I'll keep you posted. May even start a thread (probably in SC2 general forums) once this gets ready to release. I'll probably make it open source to 1) Possibly get extra hands, and 2) avoid any and all legal issues with Blizzard. Disclaimer: Graphics will look like a shitty version of minecraft, but worse. I'm a bit of developer as well; let me know if I can help, or you want alpha tester. I'm suprised you didn't just use Unity and the GUI layers... likely would have saved you some time on the engine stuff, and you could export it to mobile/flash eventually as well. Anyway, I had been tossing around the same idea since mid 2011, but never got off my ass to do it. Looking forward to your progress. :-)
Awesome, any help would be great! I've never heard of Unity; I have coded everything using C++ classes and OpenGL's 3D rendering interface, using wgl functions to get everything initialized.
Basically, I have:
-a graphics engine that renders texture-mapped 3D objects (mass triangles lol)
-a sound engine that using IrrKlang to great effect
-a mediocre input engine (using windows GetKeyStates a lot, seems slow)
Everything is on different threads (rendering, input, and processing)
All I need is:
-2D GUI
-A game engine (roflol, pretty important).
-Graphics. I have NO experience making 3D graphics-- However, if you give me a model (series of triangles) and a texture image, I can throw it together into my stupid model file-format that my engine reads.
I have a mentor who can help me out with developing a game engine. I've never coded smart AI before, but I feel that A* pathfinding and basic collision detection should be fine. Again, it's a macro tester, not micro.
Anyone feel free to PM me with any questions, and again, any help is greatly appreciated! It's probably too big a job for one person. Note: You'll need VC++2010 to even run the .exe -- I use it to code everything and have NEVER gotten it to run on a computer without the compiler itself (yes, even installing the runtime rarely works).
And yes, simian, a web developer will definitely be helpful later on! Thank you! However, first thing's first: getting a basic version of the game running.
|
tap those fingers till they are sore. 3,4,5. 3,4,5. Moved my apm from 70-125 in 4 months playing 2 days a week.
|
On July 01 2012 11:56 Mavvie wrote:
Hey! This topic intrigues me, so I plan on spending this weekend and week developing a (simple) 2D mockup of SC2, where you can practice macro mechanics (injects, constant production, supply blocks, etc) in various minigames. I may add some simple micro games, but adding the AI, models, and information for every unit would be a lot of work (herp derp that's why there's development teams). Either way, it will be a fun project, and I will post here when done/looking for feedback! Basically it's going to be SC2 with SC1 graphics, hopefully will be believable enough ^^
This is a FANTASTIC idea, I've been waiting for something like this for a while, just make sure the keys are all changeable, since many people modify their hotkeys and camera keys!
Good luck!
|
Just play Minesweeper, it helps with mouse precision and fast thinking. If youget under 80s on Expert you're quite good, my record is exactly 70s, which is pretty fast.
|
Oh and i forgot to mention this.
http://i.imgur.com/avHOY.png
This image was provided by someone on this forum. The idea is you move your mouse from one box to another as fast as possible, in a straight line, without over/under shooting. Practices precision clicking instead of boxing stuff.
Good luck.
|
practice memory! have between 5-10 things you have to remember in a certain order. Keep teaching yourself something new that seems to help. Like going through basic training learning the 10,000 random little things helped me be more attentive during an sc2 game. Attention to detail went up and everything feels easy to remember. Learning a new language or an instrument could be similar.
Some people say memory isnt part of macro but... if your queen has more than 1 energy after an inject you probably had a small memory gap or you don't need the larva for some reason. Same with spreading creep, its almost always good since its free.
So take a break from sc2 and practice some memory!
|
On July 04 2012 06:06 TheGreenMachine wrote:
practice memory! have between 5-10 things you have to remember in a certain order. Keep teaching yourself something new that seems to help. Like going through basic training learning the 10,000 random little things helped me be more attentive during an sc2 game. Attention to detail went up and everything feels easy to remember. Learning a new language or an instrument could be similar.
Some people say memory isnt part of macro but... if your queen has more than 1 energy after an inject you probably had a small memory gap or you don't need the larva for some reason. Same with spreading creep, its almost always good since its free.
So take a break from sc2 and practice some memory!
I like this idea a lot, Green! I play guitar so this rings true for me. When I am running through a scale or arpeggio I am constantly accessing my memory. I guess you don't really realize it but music and sc2 are very similar. I am going to apply the same principles here! Thanks!
|
Unity is a 3D game engine that takes care of the heavy lifting for you. It includes all the stuff you're writing, plus a bunch of other stuff. It compiles to an executable, but you can write the game in JavaScript, C#, Boo. The basic setup is free, and exceptionally powerful. I'd take a look at it before you contimue writing an engine from scratch. Torque is also a food one, but I'm more familiar with Unity. It also has lots of features for 2D games. http://unity3d.com/ Food for thought.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
