• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 16:51
CEST 22:51
KST 05:51
  • 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
[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Summer's End7Serral wins HomeStory Cup 2915Serral wins Maestros of the Game 244ByuL, and the Limitations of Standard Play3Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners7
Community News
Weekly Cups (August 10-16): SHIN doubles2GSTL Returns in 2026!44Weekly Cups (Aug 3-9): Protoss get shut out7RSL goes to London! 2026 Offline Finals Nov 21-2212Weekly Cups (July 27-Aug 2): SHIN's big week0
StarCraft 2
General
SC4ALL II: SC2 Player Announcement 6/8 - Maru Balance hotfix patch 5.0.16b (July 16) Serral wins Maestros of the Game 2 GSTL Returns in 2026! Weekly Cups (August 10-16): SHIN doubles
Tourneys
Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2) 2026 GSTL Announcement PIG STY FESTIVAL 8.0! (13 - 23 August) WardiTV Mondays 2026 KungFu Cup Announcement
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
Nexus Wars 2021 GUIDE [M] (2) Industrial Park
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 539 Thunder Dome Mutation # 538 Media Blackout Mutation # 537 Hostile Territory
Brood War
General
How Famous was FlaSh before his Debut? Are you ready for ASL 22? NEW HYPE VIDEO BW General Discussion [ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Summer's End [Personal Project Share] Terran Defense v0.60
Tourneys
[ASL22] Ro24 Group A [ASL22] Ro24 Group C [ASL22] Ro24 Group B CSLAN 4 is Coming!
Strategy
Odyssey Mineral Stack Saturation Fighting Spirit mining rates Any training maps people recommend? Simple Questions, Simple Answers
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread General RTS Discussion Thread Anyone here play Quakeworld back in the day? Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread EVE Corporation
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish TSM pausing esports and CLG Dead
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Power Rank TL Mafia Community Thread NeO.D_StephenKing vs This Guy From 1 Million Dance
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Artificial Intelligence Thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread The Letting Off Steam Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
MarineLorD Fan Club The ShoWTimE Fan Club The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread Series you have seen recently...
Sports
Football (Soccer) Thread MLB/Baseball 2023 TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NBA General Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Simple Questions Simple Answers FPS when play League Of Legend on laptop
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Northern Ireland Global Starcraft
Blogs
LOCKPICKING NOOB
LUCKY_NOOB
Chinese Gen Z: Between Dream…
TrAiDoS
Cathedral Of CS And NY pizza a…
FuDDx
Please support my new stand…
Peanutsc
Hello guys!
LIN1s
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 6149 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
Canada5472 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
Canada5472 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
Netherlands2757 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
Next event in 3h 10m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 512
ZombieGrub142
ProTech84
JuggernautJason78
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 14206
Calm 2560
Bisu 765
Mini 276
Soulkey 129
Dota 2
BananaSlamJamma371
NeuroSwarm121
Counter-Strike
fl0m7094
byalli1549
shoxiejesuss868
summit1g141
minikerr22
Super Smash Bros
C9.Mang0207
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu454
Trikslyr44
Other Games
Grubby3207
Liquid`RaSZi2058
FrodaN1376
B2W.Neo462
shahzam437
ArmadaUGS138
Mew2King83
SteadfastSC36
ROOTCatZ10
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• RyuSc2 14
• intothetv
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• blackmanpl 42
• Michael_bg 6
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• TFBlade1161
Other Games
• Scarra892
• Shiphtur337
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
3h 10m
The PondCast
13h 10m
KCM Race Survival
13h 10m
Replay Cast
1d 3h
Escore
1d 13h
PiG Sty Festival
1d 15h
CranKy Ducklings
2 days
PiG Sty Festival
2 days
Patches Events
2 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
[ Show More ]
PiG Sty Festival
3 days
The Patches Monday
4 days
GSL
5 days
PiGosaur Cup
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

CSLAN 4
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
Eternal Conflict S2 Finale

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 3
K-JUNGMAN
ASL Season 22
Super Anchor Qualifying S3
CSL Season 22: Qualifier 1
RSL Revival: Season 6
PiG Sty Festival 8.0
META DYMY #4
Esports World Cup 2026
Esports World Cup 2026: LCQ
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S3: W8
CSL Season 22: Qualifier 2
CSL 2026 AUTUMN (S22)
Acropolis #5
Acropolis #5 - TRS
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Acropolis #5 - GSA
HSC XXX
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
Big Dog Cup 2026 Div 1
Stake Ranked Episode 5
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #1
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #3
BLAST Open Fall 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.