[G] Crash Course!

Preventing the Death Ball (ZvP) - Trading & Transitions
Welcome to part two of our three part ZvP course on the Brood Lord Infestor composition. In order to adequately explain Zerg's position in the matchup, and how Zerg adapts to ideas as opposed to following build orders, we are breaking this series down into a few different parts. This part is about using your amazing economy, established in part one, to reduce your opponent's overall firepower in the midgame.

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Greed & Gateways: Reading Your Opponent
This game shows the necessity of scouting your opponent rather than assuming what he is doing. The Zerg is prepared to play a standard macro game but scouts some shenanigans -- this video will explain those situations, how JimRising adapts, and how you should adapt as well.

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StarCraft 2 Community Resources - A Comprehensive List for New Players

StarCraft 2 is a hard game but community members have banded together to create a toolbox to make it just a little bit easier for you. This video was created with the recent influx of F2P players in mind but could serve as an asset to any StarCraft 2 fan.

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Basic Gameplay Settings for New Players

If you are a new player with the recent influx of F2P players, this video is for you. Before we discuss strategy or tactics or even the meta, all of which are likely to change with time, I want to focus on the most basic aspects of SC2, a way of making certain you put the cart before the horse, a way to ensure that your time is best spent improving in an effective manner to reach that next plateau that much sooner.

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Strategy from Story - Zerg

In this video, Shaft uses the basic Zerg storyline to develop a framework for understanding the race's mechanics and tactical implementations particularly with regard to harassment-oriented tactics, self-sacrifice and natural selection, as well as instantaneous telepathic communication.

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Strategy from Story - Zerg

In this video, Shaft uses the basic Terran storyline to develop a framework for understanding the race's mechanics and tactical implementations, particularly with regard to mobility and sieging.

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Strategy from Story - Protoss

This video takes a look at more basic race descriptions and uses these to construct an over-arching strategy for that race. This video specializes on the rigidity and power of the Protoss.

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Tricky Technology Tactics

This is the final installment of the Triforce Model trilogy which focuses on Technology-based styles of play and how to counter them. Includes technology-based all-ins and deep-tech strategies like fast carriers.

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How to Balance a Strong Economy with Not Dying in SC2!

This video is part 2/3 about the tri-force model, the idea that unequal spending within Starcraft leads to better, more optimized results. This video focuses on economic options within that model, and explores two specific mutalisk-speedling-baneling styles that appear at first glance deceptively similar. This model can be applied to any race in any situation, however.

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Understanding the Tri-Force Model: All-Ins Edition

There are only so many things you can invest in in SC2: three, actually. Technology, army, economy. You won't want to invest in these equally, so how do you know what to invest in, when, and why? Shaft explores these questions in this all-in edition of Crash Course!

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soO's Favorite Build

soO is a known force to be reckoned with. His control is intense. We covered how to use your units like him last week, but this week Shaft focuses on what soO claims is his favorite build order. This is an all-in, typical for a player like soO who puts so much stock in his ability to control units so precisely. If you want to practice this type of style, but also want to know a strong transition to the mid-game if things go south, this is the perfect video for you.

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soO's Roach Control

soO has ridiculously good Roach control. Everyone knows it, all the best casters admit it. His small unit micro is insane, and we could all learn a thing or two! So that's what we're going to do today.

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Zone Control: Microing Ravagers

Ravagers are great units. They are one of the contributing factors which, for better or worse, have made the Swarm feel less Swarmy. A lot of players have recognized the necessity of their use, or at least the ability to use them if necessary.

Once you've accepted that Ravagers are a thing you should be knowledgable of, this is a great video for you. This video is about destroying the myth of Bile as damage and discusses more subtle advantages gained by use of the Ravager's ability.
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Hydration & Starcraft: Making Strawberry Basil Water (ft. Neuro, Bruce Lee & Adam Sandler)

Today we talk about how to make water taste good. Staying hydrated helps you make better decisions faster and improves your overall health, as well as your gameplay!

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Hydration & Starcraft: Making Strawberry Basil Water (ft. Neuro, Bruce Lee & Adam Sandler)

Today we talk about how to make water taste good. Staying hydrated helps you make better decisions faster and improves your overall health, as well as your gameplay!

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Anti-211 Techniques & Tactics (ZvT)

This is part 3 of our series looking at 2-1-1 concepts, theory, and techniques. This part of the series will focus primarily on tactics and techniques while revisiting a middle-of-the-road build that attempts to balance economy and aggression.

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Recognizing & Punishing Greedy 2-1-1 TvZers

This video is part 2 of a series analyzing the structure and objectives of different forms of 2-1-1. This video specifically looks at more economic variations, and next week will look at techniques Zerg can use to fight the Terran back. Thanks for watching!

The images from this video can be downloaded here: http://imgur.com/a/VCu3d

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How to Spot a 2-1-1 All-In (ZvT)

This video is part 1 of a series analyzing the structure and objectives of different forms of 2-1-1. This video specifically looks at all-in variations, and next week will look at more economic forms.

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Advanced Splitting Micro

Shaft, Disrespect and arkham show you how to take your basic micro knowledge to the next level. Practice this often and you will find yourself easily getting to high platinum or even diamond in the fast-paced, aggressive world of Legacy of the Void

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Splitting (Unit Selection) - Basic StarCraft 2 Micro v2.0

It's been awhile but we are back with a brand new episode We are returning to micro, a much more expansive task since LotV's release and with the new influx of players since, I thought this was something we should revisit. This is version 2.0 of our Basic Micro series. It starts out building the fundamentals and quickly escalates to high level micro to help players of every level key in to exactly their understanding. If you want to get better at micro or reduce the overall number of actions required to move your army, this is the video for you! Please leave a comment below suggesting new ideas for the series, and follow coaches @Arkhamsc2 and @Disrespectsc2 on Twitter.

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Solar's Economic ZvP & the Tri-Force Model [ZvP]

Solar shows how important it is to every aspect of Zerg gameplay to have the healthiest drone count possible -- even for defense! Shaft uses this opportunity to talk about "Sauron Zerg," the Tri-Force Opener Evaluation Model, as well as standard versus 3 hatch before pool drone counts. Economy is so important to how Zerg functions and Solar really exploits this well!

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Bunny's Bio Builds [TvZ]

Bunny has two very distinct styles and while one seems indomitable, the other has clear weaknesses. One of those styles is the tried and true reaper hellion expand, and that is what the questions on Twitter centered around. Why is that build so strong? Why is it that most other options for the Terran result in disaster? And why does Shaft always talk about map control?

Well, the goal of today's lesson will be to answer all of those questions in extreme detail. This video is my very first solo endeavor aimed at Terran, so please be gentle. Also, Zerg buddies who watch this video should still learn a lot about aspects of this match-up that maybe they haven't considered before.

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How Hydra Handles Hellbat Hijinx

Shaft opens this episode by discussing different types of timing attacks: committed all-ins, wishy-washy aggression and rushes versus typical macro play. It is important to gauge which your opponent has chosen as early as possible and respond accordingly.

In that vain, Shaft demonstrates how to spot key parts of differing builds to tell which you're up against and what you must do to stay safe against the various forms of hellbat all-in one might encounter. From the elevator hellbat drops of olde to banshee hellbat rushes of now as well as two factory hellbat all-ins, Shaft has got you covered in this episode.

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Targa's Infestors
Roach-Ling -> Infestor vs Delayed Core 1 Gate

Protoss openers are changing once again. When Protoss switched from FFE to 1-Gate Expands, it was to get out a quicker tech, quicker harass, and still have a decent economy. The first two are directly tied to the timing of the Cybernetics Core. Today, some Protoss are skipping the Cybernetics Core to get a quicker Nexus. They will then follow the Nexus with the Core, allowing them a better economy (with greater risk) but delaying their tech.

This video will be analyzing weak points in this new opener and suggesting a mental framework of what Protoss are hoping to achieve in performing this build. Knowing what your opponent is doing is the first key to victory for Zerg.

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JaeDong's Pool-First ZvT
Two Base Mutalisks

An interesting thing occurs within the meta-game sometimes. What was once a completely bizarre idea -- such as pool first against Terran -- due to the way Terran played at that time is now an amazing piece of the game's mosaic. In this episode, Shaft explores the economic impact of going pool first vs hatch first in this matchup.

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Maps Analysis
Looking at the Dream Pool

In this episode of Crash Course, Shaft explores a new format. All seven maps are presented after a precursor explanation of why maps are important and what to look for when analyzing maps.

Shaft discusses which playstyles are effective on what maps, key features of maps that affect gameplay, and what to expect out of your opponents when encountering them in the #dreampool.

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HyuN's Roach-Nydus All-In
How to Deal with Greedy Terran

Ever wonder how some Terran get worlds ahead while continuing to harass, maybe think to yourself "That's just not fair..."? Well, a lot of Terran are playing very greedy, cutting a ton of corners, and HyuN is here to show you how to punish such play!

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Scarlett Dominates with Swarm Hosts in Mid-Game [ZvP]

Today we're looking at how Scarlett stays alive in the early game with a fast third base, and how she uses the large map to her advantage. Map has a huge impact on whether Swarm Hosts are viable or not. She takes map control quickly with the leftover lings, and threatens a counter-attack.

From that moment on, Scarlett refuses to engage off of creep, making marked progress towards Swarm Hosts. By using a composition that requires less gas (like Swarm Hosts), Scarlett has been able to focus more on minerals, allowing her to maintain a healthy drone count. A fourth base follows shortly, and Scarlett begins her slow but steady onslaught of free units.

Learn how Scarlett uses the Swarm Hosts to maintain a strong economy, how she stays safe at critical moments, and how she stops the Colossus death ball from overwhelming her locusts!

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HyuN's 10 Minute Hive versus MECH! [ZvT]

In this exciting episode of Crash Course, Shaft shares HyuN's devastating mech build from FragBite Masters 2014. Between FBM2014 and WCS America, HyuN is showing 9-4 ZvT wins/losses (69%). Of those games, he has won every single game against mech. If there's a top caliber player worth learning ZvT anti-mech from, it's this guy!

Find out some of HyuN's greatest secrets by playing this video now, and don't forget to subscribe!

Nerchio's ZvZ - Map Control through Aggression

In this episode of Crash Course, Shaft examines Nerchio's gassy opener in ZvZ, and why sacrificing early game economy benefits him in the long term. This lesson begins with some essentials every player should know when learning ZvZ: larva expenditure, overlord positioning, and the impact of gas in the early game. Once this topic is covered, we proceed to discuss strategy-related materials like the timing of the third, and reading your opponent's stance.

It is not wise, however, to stay on lings for very long. Most players will either go for Mutalisks after, or, as in this game, follow up with Roaches. We will go quite in depth on the Roach transition, how to transition out of Roaches, AND how best to position your Roach-based army to maximize your concave.

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Lucoda's Swarm Host-less ZvP - Mutalisk Tech Switches

Lucoda, Irish Zerg extraordinaire, comes on Crash Course to talk about ways to avoid using Swarm Hosts in ZvP. A lot of players feel locked in to using Zerg's awesome mid-game positional units, and this is just one viable alternative.

Lucoda's style begins with any opener into a roach hydra mid-game. This composition in the mid-game allows for reaction to any situation while establishing a strong economy. Once an efficient engagement can occur, Lucoda shows how to properly tech switch into a large Mutalisk ball -- every Protoss's nightmare!

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Defending Reaper & Hellion Harassment (ZvT)

Since the latest patch, Widow Mines have been a much weaker defense early in the game; still viable in the mid game, there is a timing window now in which marine-first or command center-first openers will not have enough defense to hold a well-timed rush. We explore this topic much more in-depth here in a previous video.

This video will focus on a less all-in, longer term, standard macro style. It is still a ling baneling mutalisk composition, yet the timings are significantly different, and the defense timings are more different still.

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Performing a Lightning Fast Roach Max with Burrow Movement (Zerg versus Protoss)

Today we'll be taking a look at a wonky, crazy style to add to your arsenal of builds. This is NOT one of those builds you'll be able to pull off 2 or 3 games in a row against the same opponent, but it's a great build to mix into a best of 3 or into your ladder play.

This build is a spring-off of Stephano's roach max, this time utilizing a very early burrow movement upgrade in order to minimize damage from MSCs and to make Force Fields deal-withable.

This style is particularly potent against Stargate openers: reason being, no observer for quite some time. There is also an abnormally weak defense at the front of a Stargate opener, usually relying on a sole cannon or two with little gateway backup. This makes a roach max build particularly potent -- it won't be very cost effective, but it definitely gets the job done!

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(ZvT) Roach-Baneling - A Post-Patch Perspective
This video will be taking a look at Terran openers since Widow Mines got patched to bits. Some players are choosing to be a lot more greedy than they should, and it's wise to know how to punish them. Also, this will be taking a look at what ZvT meta may become, courtesy of Taeja!

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(ZvZ)) MutaLing / Bling / Swarm Host - Blade55555's ZvZ
Blade55555 is a writer for TeamLiquid, and one of the more prominent players in the North American scene. Always one to give back to the community, Blade has written a second look at Zerg in Heart of the Swarm, detailing multiple styles for every match ups with good solid tactical and strategic advice. Anyone interested in checking out his article can feel free to visit it on TeamLiquid: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=428262

This video will be looking at the reasoning and methodology behind a style of Zerg he mentions: Speedlings with Baneling defense, into a very fast Mutalisk build, into a third base, and Swarm Hosts to defend that third, with the overall intentions of reaching a VERY fast Ultralisk Cavern.

This style is a very gas starved, under-utilized style of play, with devastating potential. Any Zergie having issues with this match-up should be encouraged to try it a good dozen times, pronto.

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(ZvP) Playing an Aggressive Mid-Game
@TheOnlyShaft teaches a powerful new ZvP style: [Roachling] into [Hydraling] into [Mutaling] or [Roach Hydra Corruptor]! It's all about the economic setup early game. A must-see!!!

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(ZvT) TLO's Modern Mutaling
This VoD includes replays of LiquidTLO, with topics including decision making, gambits and tactics he uses to be super greedy early game for that all-powerful late-game. We see what happens when TLO lets Hellions into his base, and even for a point of comparison, take a look at a JaeDong game and analyze the decision-making between the two. If you're having issues making Mutaling viable in this match up, this is the VoD for you!

- Build orders
- Tech timings
- Drone counts
- Queen placement
- Mid-game goals
- Transitioning to late game

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Protoss Spell Casters Control
Starcraft 2 Strategy.com's WhiteWing comes on to talk about how to effectively use Protoss spellcasters, how to keep them alive, and how to be much more cost-effective than your opponent. We take a look at how to use the most common (and some not so commonly thought of) spellcasters per match-up, detailing some of the more common ways to make them even more cost-effective. If this is an area you find yourself struggling in, then please come take a look!

All videos are organized according to match-ups, though the first match-up listed, in this case Protoss versus Protoss, will include some overlap into the other match-ups. Please enjoy guys!

Some of the topics covered include:
- Oracle map hacks (Revelation)
- High Templar positioning
- Evading EMP with Warp Prism
- Using Force Field to peel your opponent's army like an onion
- and more!

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Zerg Spell Casters Control
Shaft comes on to talk about how to effectively use Zerg spellcasters, how to keep them alive, and how to be much more cost-effective than your opponent. We take a look at how to use the most common (and some not so commonly thought of) spellcasters per match-up, detailing some of the more common ways to make them even more cost-effective. If this is an area you find yourself struggling in, then please come take a look!

All videos are organized according to match-ups, though the first match-up listed, in this case Zerg versus Protoss, will include some overlap into the other match-ups. Please enjoy guys!

Some of the topics covered include:
- Burrowing infestor sandwiches
- Baneling land mines
- Utilizing the Viper
- Fungal kiting
- and more!

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Terran Spell Casters Control
@IXLRunAmok demonstrates and teaches how to properly use Terran Spell Casters.

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Advanced Unit Control - Drops, Pincer Attacks, Patrol Splitting and More!
This episode displays a lot of higher-level concepts within Starcraft. Most of the things in this video seem small, but are also the things that most commonly cause people to get overwhelmed or frustrated with the game. We will show you how to be aware of the map, respond to what you see effectively, so you can easily move on to other tasks.

- Patrol Splitting
- Mini-Map Awareness & Usage
- Flanking
- Pincer Attacks
- Surrounding the enemy army
- Dropping

This video was intended for Zergs, and does include Zerg-specific ideas but is still a viable learning tool for other races, as well!

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Basic Unit Control - Boxing, Grouping, Splitting and More!
This episode will detail a lot of different things about unit control. This video will begin on a basic, fundamental level, and then begin combining different principles covered for some really awesome effects. Some of the subjects you can expect to enjoy in this short episode of Crash Course:

- Different types of rallying
- Splitting your army
- Big boxing versus small boxing
- Binding control groups and using them effectively
- Adding and subtracting small numbers of units to existing control groups

This video was intended for Zergs, and does include Zerg-specific ideas (e.g., egg rallies) but is still a viable learning tool for other races, as well!

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(ZvP) Mapping Out One Gate Expansions
In this 90+ minute video, we look at three different types of 1 gate expands, including early timing attacks, mid-range timing attacks, and tech-oriented play.

This is a fairly long video, so for those who may not have the time, I would recommend the first two sections (2:45-6:45 and 6:45-10:00). The last section is mostly just showing the advantages of preparing for certain timings.

Also, my apologies for the volume, the HoTs volume bug caught me. I tried to normalize everything as best I could, but there are still a few times where I know it's hard to hear me.

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(ZvT) How to Handle Hellbat Drops
This episode compares a Fast 3 Command Center build's economics to that of a Hellbat Dropping Terran, exposing key weaknesses in the build, as well as recommended scouting times to prepare exactly the right response.

Techniques for dealing with the drops themselves include:
- Queen targetting Medivacs
- Roach support
- Possible Spore Crawler placement and timings

This is a how-to guide for dealing with Reaper openings as a Zerg player. This is a technique tutorial, not a build order one -- that is to say, the lessons taught in this video will apply to almost any build order.

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(ZvT) Dealing with Reapers
I've had several students complain over the last few weeks about how imba reapers are. They seem to be stuck in this situation where they're losing games to Reapers, so they start over compensating. Making spines before they need to, too many lings, et cetera. Of course, this cuts into their drone count, and while this does fairly well against actually beating Reapers, what happens if the Terran doesn't do that? Quite simply, the Zerg loses. They're sacrificing economic potential for absolute safety, which quite frankly doesn't exist. This is an attempt to explain direct damage versus indirect damage, and how to minimize both in your play.

This is a how-to guide for dealing with Reaper openings as a Zerg player. This is a technique tutorial, not a build order one -- that is to say, the lessons taught in this video will apply to almost any build order.

Please tune in on YouTube.