• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 21:41
CET 03:41
KST 11:41
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview10Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info3herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational14SC2 All-Star Invitational: Tournament Preview5RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview8
Community News
Weekly Cups (Jan 19-25): Bunny, Trigger, MaxPax win3Weekly Cups (Jan 12-18): herO, MaxPax, Solar win0BSL Season 2025 - Full Overview and Conclusion8Weekly Cups (Jan 5-11): Clem wins big offline, Trigger upsets4$21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7)38
StarCraft 2
General
HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview StarCraft 2 Not at the Esports World Cup 2026 Weekly Cups (Jan 19-25): Bunny, Trigger, MaxPax win Oliveira Would Have Returned If EWC Continued herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational
Tourneys
HomeStory Cup 28 KSL Week 85 $21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7) OSC Season 13 World Championship $70 Prize Pool Ladder Legends Academy Weekly Open!
Strategy
Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[A] Starcraft Sound Mod
External Content
Mutation # 510 Safety Violation Mutation # 509 Doomsday Report Mutation # 508 Violent Night Mutation # 507 Well Trained
Brood War
General
Bleak Future After Failed ProGaming Career [ASL21] Potential Map Candidates BW General Discussion Potential ASL qualifier breakthroughs? BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues Small VOD Thread 2.0 Azhi's Colosseum - Season 2 [BSL21] Non-Korean Championship - Starts Jan 10
Strategy
Zealot bombing is no longer popular? Simple Questions, Simple Answers Current Meta Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread Path of Exile Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Beyond All Reason
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Hager werken embalming powder+27 81 711 1572
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club! The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How Esports Advertising Shap…
TrAiDoS
My 2025 Magic: The Gathering…
DARKING
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1291 users

Macro mechanics still just apm sinks

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
phexac
Profile Joined March 2004
United States186 Posts
February 19 2010 11:27 GMT
#1
I really am not sure where Blizzard is going with this. Maybe I am misinterpreting what people are saying, but it seems that the macro mechanics are still just there as mindless tasks that you have to go back to your base to click. What's more upsetting is that terran Mule, which is a must have, basically takes place of the comsat scan as far as energy spending goes, thus taking away a fun and useful terran ability.

I am not going to touch on the queen since that seems more complex (though I still have doubts about larva inject thing) but I want to know if anyone out there actually likes the terran and toss macro mechanics. And if they do, what do they see as their point. To me, they are just annoying non-fun tasks that are there for no good reason...
Disarray
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States1164 Posts
February 19 2010 11:32 GMT
#2
i love the zerg one
Input limit reached. Please wait to perform more actions.
Osmoses
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Sweden5302 Posts
February 19 2010 11:33 GMT
#3
Ok seriously, stop right now. The macro mechanics are sound and interesting, they are not just apm sinks. Terran has to choose between scan and resources, that in itself is an important depth, Protoss can speed up ANY building, allowing for very interesting variation, and the queen can boost the production of any zerg unit.

In starcraft1 there was no automining, WAAAAAAH APM SINK, goddamnit just stop.
Excuse me hun, but what is your name? Vivian? I woke up next to you naked and, uh, did we, um?
sob3k
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States7572 Posts
February 19 2010 11:42 GMT
#4
yeah, in the past this was a valid complaint, looks like they fixed it.

plus, If you aren't in on the beta it seems a bit dumb to be starting any complaint thread not related to the viewing experience.
In Hungry Hungry Hippos there are no such constraints—one can constantly attempt to collect marbles with one’s hippo, limited only by one’s hippo-levering capabilities.
NeoLearner
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
Belgium1847 Posts
February 19 2010 11:45 GMT
#5
On February 19 2010 20:27 phexac wrote:
What's more upsetting is that terran Mule, which is a must have, basically takes place of the comsat scan as far as energy spending goes, thus taking away a fun and useful terran ability.


I don't get your point... Bad Blizzard for putting 2 useful abilities on the same building and making us choose, damn you! Choice is a good thing!
And they had to do something to limit comsat, detection is a lot bigger in SC2.

And I agree with Osmoses, SC1 had quite a few APM sinks. We'll have to wait a bit before everything will be clear...

Bankai - Correlation does not imply causation
Uno
Profile Joined January 2010
Korea (South)3 Posts
February 19 2010 11:54 GMT
#6
The mule is fine, at least as long as you only have one command centre, but I guess you might be able to group your CC's later. Since you can get store up a bit of energy and make two mules of a time (you get resources a bit later, but not that big of a deal on my level) it's not really that stressful. I haven't played much with the other races, so I can't comment on them. It might be worse for the protoss since they only get enough energy for one spell. Also with the mule it might be worth always having enough energy to one scan just in case a cloaked unit shows up, but make sure to make mules before any energy caps.
Orbifold
Profile Joined September 2008
United States1922 Posts
February 19 2010 11:55 GMT
#7
When you get down to it, isn't life just an apm sink?
Allow me to reintroduce myself...
Kentucky
Profile Joined November 2009
United States63 Posts
February 19 2010 11:56 GMT
#8
What you had to do for macro in SC1 I wouldn't consider a time sink, and what you have to do for macro in SC2 I wouldn't consider a time sink either. It's an added challenge to the game. Is rolling your wrist forward for a 3-pointer a "time sink"? No, it's technique. That's what the game is

The difference is:

-Macro time sink in SC1 was more physical, involved dexterity, and was immediately comprehensible to pretty much any viewer whether they knew anything about Starcraft or not

-Macro time sink in SC2 is less physical, takes less dexterity, but adds to the game in the form of a knowledge build order type of skill rather than dexterity, and makes no sense to passive viewers whatsoever

I agree that SC2's macro features are stupid, but the reason I don't like them is the fact that they're replacing dexterity, make gameplay less visually stunning, and don't make any sense to spectators.
EchOne
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States2906 Posts
February 19 2010 12:00 GMT
#9
Well each of the mechanics have visible choices associated with them. That is, in all cases energy can saved for or spent on something else. What probably remains to be seen is how relevant these choices are at different points in the game. For example, using Orbital Command to get MULEs early on appears to be a non-issue, however later on the decision to scan for scouting, save energy for detection, or pop more MULEs becomes more relevant.

I've been playing mostly Protoss and I have to say that I'm really enjoying the Chrono Boost mechanic. Since it can benefit virtually any structure, once you've saturated a base or two (or even before then, really) there are as many choices as you have types of buildings. Once the game gets mapped out, perhaps some macro mechanics will become attention sinks, but right now it's too early to say for sure.

Anyways the fact that there are decisions involved make the macro mechanics not completely mindless... at least not on the level of sending idle probes to mine, a task that is always the same and must always be done.
面白くない世の中, 面白くすればいいさ
Vedic
Profile Joined March 2008
United States582 Posts
February 19 2010 12:01 GMT
#10
On February 19 2010 20:56 Kentucky wrote:
I agree that SC2's macro features are stupid, but the reason I don't like them is the fact that they're replacing dexterity, make gameplay less visually stunning, and don't make any sense to spectators.


Err, what? Spectators don't see macro, as they don't see first-person. The new macro mechanics ARE visible, which old macro was not. Dexterity requirements are marginally different.
I tried to commit seppuku, but I accidentally committed bukkake.
mahnini
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
United States6862 Posts
February 19 2010 12:05 GMT
#11
at first i was opposed to them but after playing terran i have to say it was really well implemented. in fact i think the mule is the best BECAUSE you have to choose between it and scan. it requries a certain amount of foresight to use and isn't mindless. it also enables you to cut massive scvs and still get a super sick economy. :D
the world's a playground. you know that when you're a kid, but somewhere along the way everyone forgets it.
SoleSteeler
Profile Joined April 2003
Canada5457 Posts
February 19 2010 12:10 GMT
#12
I thought MULE would be the obvious choice always too, but it definitely isn't. Sometimes a scan is really what you need. I am pretty sure they made the area of effect of it bigger, so you can see the whole base and not miss anything. And for an emergency scan for DTs etc. it's invaluable.

The Protoss mechanic is super nice and you will find yourself targetting different buildings to quicken all throughout the game. My only beef with it is that the Nexus has a 100 energy capacity, and it costs 25, so it's pretty rare to let it get up to 100 and have it "wasted." It should be 50 or so, I think.

Zerg's is just awesome all around. It's pretty simple to move your Queen back and forth, but at least you can choose to make attacking units or drones etc... A nice choice there.
NeoLearner
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
Belgium1847 Posts
February 19 2010 12:16 GMT
#13
On February 19 2010 21:10 SoleSteeler wrote:

The Protoss mechanic is super nice and you will find yourself targetting different buildings to quicken all throughout the game. My only beef with it is that the Nexus has a 100 energy capacity, and it costs 25, so it's pretty rare to let it get up to 100 and have it "wasted." It should be 50 or so, I think.



For the protoss mechanic, the bigger energy pool can be used for saving up. Let's say you want to void-ray rush. You save energy, build 3 startports and chrono boost them all. 3 void rays at half the time. A lower energy pool would limit the ability to just probe spamming...

Although I do agree, the 100 energy seems a bit much if it is not shared between Nexii (Nexusses? )
Bankai - Correlation does not imply causation
SoleSteeler
Profile Joined April 2003
Canada5457 Posts
February 19 2010 12:21 GMT
#14
On February 19 2010 21:16 NeoLearner wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 19 2010 21:10 SoleSteeler wrote:

The Protoss mechanic is super nice and you will find yourself targetting different buildings to quicken all throughout the game. My only beef with it is that the Nexus has a 100 energy capacity, and it costs 25, so it's pretty rare to let it get up to 100 and have it "wasted." It should be 50 or so, I think.



For the protoss mechanic, the bigger energy pool can be used for saving up. Let's say you want to void-ray rush. You save energy, build 3 startports and chrono boost them all. 3 void rays at half the time. A lower energy pool would limit the ability to just probe spamming...

Although I do agree, the 100 energy seems a bit much if it is not shared between Nexii (Nexusses? )


That's certainly true, and I did find myself saving up at times...

Maybe it's okay then.
Navane
Profile Blog Joined February 2007
Netherlands2749 Posts
February 19 2010 12:23 GMT
#15
On February 19 2010 20:55 Orbifold wrote:
When you get down to it, isn't life just an apm sink?


muhaha
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
The PiG Daily
21:40
Best Games of SC
Reynor vs Krystianer
herO vs Rogue
ByuN vs TriGGeR
Maru vs Solar
PiGStarcraft560
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
PiGStarcraft560
ProTech375
RuFF_SC2 186
NeuroSwarm 80
Ketroc 22
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 465
NaDa 87
Dota 2
monkeys_forever280
febbydoto23
LuMiX0
League of Legends
C9.Mang0430
Counter-Strike
taco 549
adren_tv48
minikerr22
Other Games
tarik_tv16190
summit1g6724
JimRising 473
ViBE142
ZombieGrub21
KnowMe1
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick955
BasetradeTV62
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 13 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• HeavenSC 30
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota21335
League of Legends
• Doublelift5680
Upcoming Events
Korean StarCraft League
19m
davetesta23
HomeStory Cup
9h 19m
Replay Cast
21h 19m
HomeStory Cup
1d 10h
Replay Cast
1d 21h
Replay Cast
2 days
Wardi Open
3 days
WardiTV Invitational
4 days
The PondCast
5 days
WardiTV Invitational
5 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Escore Tournament S1: W6
OSC Championship Season 13
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Acropolis #4 - TS4
Rongyi Cup S3
HSC XXVIII
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S1: W7
Escore Tournament S1: W8
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
ESL Pro League Season 23
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.