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Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
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BongPower
Profile Joined February 2011
Syria21 Posts
August 07 2012 21:49 GMT
#41
I mean my my average apm is around 50-80 in a game (1v1 masterse here) but it jumps up to about 200 ~ occasionally when #$^& hits the fan.

I think what seperates the pros from the not pros is they constantly keep that apm no matter what just so when they need it it's already there.

Kinda the way an olympic boxer is always hoping around with his footwork, you know?
Bong Powers!
Champloo
Profile Joined August 2011
Germany1850 Posts
August 07 2012 21:56 GMT
#42
I don't think you need a lot of APM in Starcraft 2, at least not for Protoss. I have ~150 APM in WC3 and ~170 in HoN. But when I play SC2 I have around 80 APM if I don't spam a lot.

There's just not much to do, you just scout and make units for most part of the game and macro doesn't need a lot of actions in SC2.
Savant7
Profile Joined June 2012
United Kingdom9 Posts
August 07 2012 22:08 GMT
#43
Really good players use a lot of actions without doing anything in order to actually have more awareness of the map and check their macro (sometimes without building units) for example if the player used my hotkey setup of 4 for barracks 5 for factories and 6 for staports, and they want to constantly build out of all of them, they would be constantly hitting 456456456 while whey pressed 1 click 1 click, moving their units around the map for map control etc, to check how close the production cycles are to finishing and double tapping your CC hotkey to go back and build depots. I guess the point I'm making here is that you're not necessarily doing micro intensive strategies if you have high APM.
caznitch
Profile Joined July 2012
Canada645 Posts
August 07 2012 22:20 GMT
#44
This is an awesome idea! Thanks MrLlamaSC!

Name: Caz
Race: terran
Match up: TvX
Your Build: 1 rax FE into MMM
His Build: anything
Specific Map?: none
Comments: I can't incorporate caster units (ghost/raven) into my play as I feel they are so APM intensive. I want to incorporate ghosts into my TvP late game but usually end up staring at the screen while they die to colossi. If you could show effective raven use that woudl be cool too though I have less ideas on when to use this unit.
why?
Danzo
Profile Joined March 2011
2820 Posts
August 07 2012 22:28 GMT
#45
I respect your approach in how to play the game efficiently but I have to disagree. Tho spamming and useless clicking/tapping is redundant why not encourage players to play faster? 40 apm just seems way too slow and game will end forcing you into situations higher than that.
Getting too old for this..
AndAgain
Profile Joined November 2010
United States2621 Posts
August 07 2012 22:34 GMT
#46
On August 08 2012 06:56 Champloo wrote:
I don't think you need a lot of APM in Starcraft 2, at least not for Protoss. I have ~150 APM in WC3 and ~170 in HoN. But when I play SC2 I have around 80 APM if I don't spam a lot.

There's just not much to do, you just scout and make units for most part of the game and macro doesn't need a lot of actions in SC2.


I also had around 80 APM as protoss when I was low-mid masters. Then I started focusing more on micro and now I'm at 95 or so mid-high masters. You should look into it.
All your teeth should fall out and hair should grow in their place!
Blazinghand *
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States25560 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-08-07 22:55:05
August 07 2012 22:52 GMT
#47
On August 08 2012 07:34 AndAgain wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 08 2012 06:56 Champloo wrote:
I don't think you need a lot of APM in Starcraft 2, at least not for Protoss. I have ~150 APM in WC3 and ~170 in HoN. But when I play SC2 I have around 80 APM if I don't spam a lot.

There's just not much to do, you just scout and make units for most part of the game and macro doesn't need a lot of actions in SC2.


I also had around 80 APM as protoss when I was low-mid masters. Then I started focusing more on micro and now I'm at 95 or so mid-high masters. You should look into it.


I really think 80-100 apm is all you need to hit Master League. Sure, you could probably make it in with less, and of course MORE speed never hurts, but I think the big thing is that with 40 peak apm, that's like 1 click or button press every 1.5 seconds, which strikes me as impossibly slow. Even certain basic mechanics, like stutter-stepping stalkers against non-stim Marines, takes up 40 apm on its own. How are you going to make units and probes while doing your PvT scouting poke? etc

Now, obviously apm is just a measurement unit we have to measure "speed" and it is imperfect. It's just worth noting you can do quite well with low speed-- I'm a low-speed player myself. However, there's nothing wrong with working to improve your speed first, and although, yes, if you can beat someone using only 40 apm, you can beat them when you use more, the difference between 40 apm and 80 apm (assuming no spam) isn't one of magnitude, it's one of [/i]type.[/i] You simply can't macro off of more than a certain number of bases, and can't execute certain moves (such as stim-kiting) with 40 apm. You definitely can't use both.

When your low speed is so slow that it prevents you from using standard strategies, it means that if you are able to do so, you should increase your speed. Some people, due to physical ability, RSI, or age, are not able to do so, and that's understandable. They do what they can. But intentionally playing slow like you're Goku training in 10x gravity so that you can turn off your gravity and kick ass isn't going to work. Goku has the ability to fly, and in 10x gravity he could still do a pushup and stuff. If you can't get over 40 apm, you can't stimkite. You're like Goku and you can't even do a pushup.

"But wait Blazinghand isn't Goku a Saiyan? That means even by getting hurt, when he recovers he gets even stronger, which is why in the Time-"

ok DUDE I get it, it's not a PERFECT analogy. Christ! lay off for a moment! THE POINT is that with 40 apm you can't even do the same kinds of things as normal players do, so it's not a legitimate way to play if your 40 apm is a choice rather than a restriction forced on you against your will.

"but the analogy-"

ok ok dude look let's go talk somewhere else about it

E: but you get the point, don't feel like you gotta slow down and that'll make you better- it won't.
When you stare into the iCCup, the iCCup stares back.
TL+ Member
Bojas
Profile Joined December 2010
Netherlands2397 Posts
August 07 2012 23:02 GMT
#48
I'm a terran player with around 100-125ish eapm, 150-220 apm. Diamond league.

I think it's important to increase your apm rather than using your apm efficiently. That old school multitask trainer map is great as it forces you out of that comfort-zone which you should get used to. Really I don't see how you can drop while attacking or even macro while attacking with less than 80 apm.

Or imagine playing zerg, you got to spread your creep, scout the enemy get upgrades inject keep map presence up, you cannot do that with less than 100 apm (maybe if your actions are ultra tight and you use minimal clicks but let's assume you will need more than as little clicks as possible like most people)

I can really recommend that multitasking trainer, it forces you out of your comfort zone which is the only good way to get faster.

I'll try to tune in to see if your students can do what is neccesary with so few actions available per minute.
zmansman17
Profile Joined March 2011
United States2567 Posts
August 07 2012 23:04 GMT
#49
I really like this idea because it is hard for middle tier players to distinguish between what actions are better from a 300 apm player.

This way perhaps, players have a more realistic template from which they can make their own actions.
♞ - His EKG is flattening get me a defib stat! Prepped and Ready! - ♞
zmansman17
Profile Joined March 2011
United States2567 Posts
August 07 2012 23:07 GMT
#50
On August 08 2012 08:02 Bojas wrote:
I'm a terran player with around 100-125ish eapm, 150-220 apm. Diamond league.

I think it's important to increase your apm rather than using your apm efficiently. That old school multitask trainer map is great as it forces you out of that comfort-zone which you should get used to. Really I don't see how you can drop while attacking or even macro while attacking with less than 80 apm.

Or imagine playing zerg, you got to spread your creep, scout the enemy get upgrades inject keep map presence up, you cannot do that with less than 100 apm (maybe if your actions are ultra tight and you use minimal clicks but let's assume you will need more than as little clicks as possible like most people)

I can really recommend that multitasking trainer, it forces you out of your comfort zone which is the only good way to get faster.

I'll try to tune in to see if your students can do what is neccesary with so few actions available per minute.


If you have this much apm and eapm, there is no reason you should not be in master league and even top 8 master league for that matter.

apm and eapm are really not that important, given that you meet a certain threshold.

I've been able to get rank 1-3 masters with all races with 100 eapm. That is all you need. It's more important once you reach a similar eapm what should be prioritized, tighten up your BOs, practice your micro, and think more proactively in real time.
♞ - His EKG is flattening get me a defib stat! Prepped and Ready! - ♞
ymir233
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
United States8275 Posts
August 07 2012 23:08 GMT
#51
I don't get why you can't just tell people what to do strategically and have them do it instead of being all like "yo I don't like your style of mechanically playing".

Because if APM 'doesn't matter', then that's all it is. A mechanical aspect of your playing style.
Come motivate me to be cynical about animus at http://infinityandone.blogspot.com/ // Stork proxy gates are beautiful.
Reborn8u
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
United States1761 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-08-07 23:13:53
August 07 2012 23:10 GMT
#52
Apm disparities can be overcome with efficiency. Multitasking is not the same as apm, you can actually have decent multitasking with low apm. If you remember to hit all of your macro timings (mules, crono, inject, supply and production) and have your screen in the right place at the right times, you can beat much faster players. I've smashed, and out multi-tasked plenty of players with 2x or 3x my APM.

The best Koreans actually have multitasking that is as good as their APM. I think that is why so many korean players are able to get through open brackets so consistently. They get on 2 bases and just out multitask their opponents with constant 2 or 3 pronged harassment and engagements.

I'd like to clear up a common misconception about spam. When you see a top pro cycle through his hotkeys, they are often looking at the bottom center of their screen to see when production cycles are ending. (Cool downs on production and buildings finishing.) It often appears to be spam, but they are actually looking to see what is finishing when they are cycling. During the opening seconds it's pretty much just spam, but as soon as the first building is placed they are keeping tabs on it's completion in this manner.
:)
Bojas
Profile Joined December 2010
Netherlands2397 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-08-07 23:15:21
August 07 2012 23:13 GMT
#53
On August 08 2012 08:07 zmansman17 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 08 2012 08:02 Bojas wrote:
I'm a terran player with around 100-125ish eapm, 150-220 apm. Diamond league.

I think it's important to increase your apm rather than using your apm efficiently. That old school multitask trainer map is great as it forces you out of that comfort-zone which you should get used to. Really I don't see how you can drop while attacking or even macro while attacking with less than 80 apm.

Or imagine playing zerg, you got to spread your creep, scout the enemy get upgrades inject keep map presence up, you cannot do that with less than 100 apm (maybe if your actions are ultra tight and you use minimal clicks but let's assume you will need more than as little clicks as possible like most people)

I can really recommend that multitasking trainer, it forces you out of your comfort zone which is the only good way to get faster.

I'll try to tune in to see if your students can do what is neccesary with so few actions available per minute.


If you have this much apm and eapm, there is no reason you should not be in master league and even top 8 master league for that matter.

apm and eapm are really not that important, given that you meet a certain threshold.

I've been able to get rank 1-3 masters with all races with 100 eapm. That is all you need. It's more important once you reach a similar eapm what should be prioritized, tighten up your BOs, practice your micro, and think more proactively in real time.

This must be true, I've been stuck in diamond for a year for a reason. I'm not claiming that my apm being high is of huge importance, especially not when multitasking is irrelevant which is most of the game.

Basically I am just wondering if 40 apm is enough to play this game, in my zerg example I wonder if less than 100 apm is enough, so why would you be able to play this game at a decent level, (I assume masters is the goal?) with 40 apm.
Blazinghand *
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States25560 Posts
August 07 2012 23:15 GMT
#54
On August 08 2012 08:13 Bojas wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 08 2012 08:07 zmansman17 wrote:
On August 08 2012 08:02 Bojas wrote:
I'm a terran player with around 100-125ish eapm, 150-220 apm. Diamond league.

I think it's important to increase your apm rather than using your apm efficiently. That old school multitask trainer map is great as it forces you out of that comfort-zone which you should get used to. Really I don't see how you can drop while attacking or even macro while attacking with less than 80 apm.

Or imagine playing zerg, you got to spread your creep, scout the enemy get upgrades inject keep map presence up, you cannot do that with less than 100 apm (maybe if your actions are ultra tight and you use minimal clicks but let's assume you will need more than as little clicks as possible like most people)

I can really recommend that multitasking trainer, it forces you out of your comfort zone which is the only good way to get faster.

I'll try to tune in to see if your students can do what is neccesary with so few actions available per minute.


If you have this much apm and eapm, there is no reason you should not be in master league and even top 8 master league for that matter.

apm and eapm are really not that important, given that you meet a certain threshold.

I've been able to get rank 1-3 masters with all races with 100 eapm. That is all you need. It's more important once you reach a similar eapm what should be prioritized, tighten up your BOs, practice your micro, and think more proactively in real time.

This must be true, I've been stuck in diamond for a year for a reason. I'm not claiming that apm is of huge importance, especially not when multitasking is irrelevant which is most of the game.

Basically I am just wondering if 40 apm is enough to play this game, in my zerg example I wonder if less than 100 apm is enough, so why would you be able to play this game at a decent level, (I assume masters is the goal?) with 40 apm.


You can GET into master league with 40 apm, probably, but you'd have to cheese like a dirty girl to do it. In fact, you can stay there quite comfortably like that. If you want to do anything other than 1-base cheese, though, you'll need 60-80 apm.
When you stare into the iCCup, the iCCup stares back.
TL+ Member
NewbieOne
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Poland560 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-08-07 23:20:51
August 07 2012 23:19 GMT
#55
I'm definitely going to give it a look. I've always been on the slow side myself but also somewhat passive, around 60 average APM, almost all of which is effective APM, while up to 400 burst in battles, which tends to mean about 30-40 when not much is going on. I guess the problem is to make it so that something's always going on... as opposed to trying to just be fast and ending up neglecting important things.
Solarsail
Profile Joined July 2012
United Kingdom538 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-09-14 19:51:27
August 07 2012 23:19 GMT
#56
Everyone left over is a member of the OP race and you have to figure out which one of them is the least OP. - CosmicSpiral
NewbieOne
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Poland560 Posts
August 07 2012 23:24 GMT
#57
On August 08 2012 08:19 Solarsail wrote:
Currently Diamond @ 40 APM because of wrist problems. I'm really looking forward to this series!

I still I feel I lose more often on decison making than hand speed.


Same, except maybe marine splitting or some crap in TvP with chargelots and storms. Otherwise the reason is almost always not insufficient APM. In my peak at WC3 TFT I played against guys with 2-3 times my APM and won, sometimes 4x.
netherh
Profile Blog Joined November 2011
United Kingdom333 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-08-07 23:30:00
August 07 2012 23:26 GMT
#58
nvm
irocksu
Profile Joined April 2010
Germany39 Posts
August 07 2012 23:28 GMT
#59
Even if you use only 40 APM your eyes and your hands do the right thing. What I mean by that is: Especially with such low APM you will constantly look at the Minimap and instantly react to problems, like drops. You will almost never get supply stuck because you take your time to look at your supply count etc.

Most of the APM are not "effective" APM. And I do not mean the Blizzard EAPM, but the real meaning of effect. Many players cycle through their production facilities, just to check on the progress of a certain unit. This is actually useful information but you do not do anything there is no "effect". You can execute your your BO without them. Everything would be more bumpy and you would not feel the comfort of complete control, but still.

Another thing to consider is that even with only 40 APM you have a ton of extra knowledge. Like when to scout, what to look for how to cross out certain builds etc. An good example are push timings like 4 gate, earliest Muta, Stim 1/0 push.

I do not want to talk you out of your project, but please consider this and explain those things too. There is just not that much value in someone executing a nearly perfect build with 40 APM, getting the almost perfect unit mix just to crush some Platinum player. Everybody can get a BO and execute it almost perfectly without pressure. The question is how do you know what your opponent is up to. In other words: "How should you prepare?" And a slightly less important question is how to decide where to focus at each given time.
TheWorldToCome
Profile Joined January 2012
United States452 Posts
August 07 2012 23:30 GMT
#60
On August 07 2012 07:08 Pylons wrote:
my friend, google was top 8 grandmasters with about 40 - 60 apm, so 40 apm is definitely enough to win in masters league!


Wasn't he a hacker?

http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=311134
Starcraft 2 was designed to have a best race. You play the worst one.
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