• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 04:42
CEST 10:42
KST 17:42
  • 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
Serral wins Maestros of the Game 225ByuL, and the Limitations of Standard Play3Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners7Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection7
Community News
MC vs IdrA, Boxer vs Nal_rA to be Legacy Matches @ BlizzCon315.0.16 Hotfix (June 30) - Balance + Bug Fixes38Weekly Cups (June 22-28): Zergs thrive in new patch5[TLMC] Summer 2026 Ladder Map Rotation05.0.16 patch for SC2 goes live (8 worker start)99
StarCraft 2
General
Serral wins Maestros of the Game 2 TL Poll: How do you feel about the 5.0.16 PTR balance changes? ZOWIE DIVINA preview Server Blocker StarCraft Mass Recall: SC1 campaigns on SC2 thread
Tourneys
RSL Revival: Season 6 - Qualifiers and Main Event HomeStory Cup 29 Vespene Cup #1 — $300+ USD, July 10 Douyu Cup 2026: $20,000 Legends Event (June 26-28) Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
New Map Maker - Looking for Advice - Love or Hate Work In Progress Melee Maps [D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3
External Content
Mutation # 533 Die Together The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 532 Nuclear Family Mutation # 531 Experimental Artillery
Brood War
General
Snow On New ASL S22 Map, Zerg Nerf Farewell Beloved Starcraft (Youtube Videos) ASL 22 Proposed Map Pool BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BW General Discussion
Tourneys
CSLAN 4 is Coming! Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 The Casual Games of the Week Thread [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Creating a full chart of Zerg builds Relatively freeroll strategies Why doesn't anyone use restoration?
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Dawn of War IV Summer Games Done Quick 2026! Nintendo Switch Thread ZeroSpace at Steam NextFest - Last free demo
Dota 2
Looking for a Dota Mentor Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
Five o'clock TL Mafia NeO.D_StephenKing vs This Guy From 1 Million Dance TL Mafia Community Thread TL Mafia Power Rank Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread YouTube Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread The Games Industry And ATVI
Fan Clubs
The HerO Fan Club! The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! Series you have seen recently... [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [TV/BOOK] *SPOILERS* Game of Thrones Discussion
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion McBoner: A hockey love story TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Cricket [SPORT]
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
How to clean a TTe Thermaltake keyboard? Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Major Shifts in the Gaming I…
TrAiDoS
An Exploration of th…
waywardstrategy
I'm an arrogant trash talke…
FlaShFTW
Gauntlet SC2: A Retrospectiv…
Ctone23
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 7338 users

[Q] Build Worker or Split?

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 Next All
jaerak
Profile Joined January 2010
United States124 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-17 04:17:28
May 17 2010 04:06 GMT
#1
This is sort of a noobie question, but I was wondering which is economically better when the game starts: sending your workers to mine first (assume a perfect split) or to queue your first worker before you split. I know in sc1, you were supposed to always queue the worker first, but with new split AI, mining AI, and harvesting time, and initial worker count, what is the experimentally supported answer?

EDIT: Another factor to consider may be the fact that splitting easier and thus requires less time in sc2 than required in sc1 (Part of split AI)
captainwaffles
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States1050 Posts
May 17 2010 04:09 GMT
#2
I always queue a worker then do a 3/3 split and macro on happily.
https://x.com/CaptainWaffless
Kow
Profile Joined May 2010
United States32 Posts
May 17 2010 04:09 GMT
#3
Usually what I aim to do is to send the workers in one fell swoop to a node, queue a worker and before the workers get to the mineral line, send half to a different node (ideally 2-3 away from the one I chose).

But lag usually screws me up. I don't know why it always lags for like .5s at the beginning of the game and then the rest is fine. I'd rather just have that extra .5s loading, though I'm sure that's not the problem xD


I don't know what is the most efficient though.
Iri
Profile Joined January 2010
150 Posts
May 17 2010 04:10 GMT
#4
Build a worker and send all six to one patch is fastest as far as I can tell... starts the build immediately and if workers are sent to right patch they'll bring in 50 mins before you have to build your next. Different for zerg, obviously, but for T/P anyway.
Opportunities multiply as they are seized. -Sun Tzu
lu_cid
Profile Joined April 2008
United States428 Posts
May 17 2010 04:12 GMT
#5
You should start your worker first.
Jugan
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States1566 Posts
May 17 2010 04:13 GMT
#6
I build a worker then do a 3/3 split....
Unless I mess something up, then it's disastrous! It usually works out for me pretty well
Even a Savior couldn't fix all problems. www.twitch.tv/xJugan
RAUS
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
210 Posts
May 17 2010 04:13 GMT
#7
you're talking about .05 of a second here, and you can get 50 minerals before your scv finishes, so honestly, splitting well only puts you ahead by a tiny fraction of a second.

someone should make a joke about splitting hairs.

its up to preference and it doesn't matter.
recognize me?
Synwave
Profile Joined July 2009
United States2803 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-17 04:18:02
May 17 2010 04:17 GMT
#8
On May 17 2010 13:13 derpaderp wrote:
you're talking about .05 of a second here, and you can get 50 minerals before your scv finishes, so honestly, splitting well only puts you ahead by a tiny fraction of a second.

someone should make a joke about splitting hairs.

its up to preference and it doesn't matter.


What if Day[9] casts you in a replay and omg you will look like a noob and be made fun of forever!

>.>

But yeah, its such a tiny tiny detail.
I try to do my best with the ole send workers, build, split workers before they mine thing because its a pretend mental mini-game I play but I don't stress it.
♞Nerdrage is the cause of global warming♞
roemy
Profile Joined April 2010
Germany432 Posts
May 17 2010 04:19 GMT
#9
On May 17 2010 13:09 captainwaffles wrote:
I always queue a worker then do a 3/3 split and macro on happily.

this, but i do a 4/2 split
rock is fine.. paper could need a buff, but scissors have to be nerfed
Raelcun
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States3747 Posts
May 17 2010 04:20 GMT
#10
F1 split is where it's at imo, select hatch SD, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click. Tiny differences but the F1 split looks gosu when people watch you do it.
ReketSomething
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
United States6012 Posts
May 17 2010 04:24 GMT
#11
I once asked a wise man...(qxc) if he normally goes 3 => 3 split rather than a 6 => 3 split.

He told me....that it doesn't make a bit of difference because none of this will be so important that you will lose a game over and to not worry about it. So work on other things first! =D
Jaedong :3
Xiphiasar
Profile Joined April 2010
United States78 Posts
May 17 2010 04:26 GMT
#12
i always queue first. I figure i'll be building workers constantly for a while, so the faster I start the faster i'll have more workers. That's not supported by any evidence though.

I wonder what the most efficient way to do it is?
lu_cid
Profile Joined April 2008
United States428 Posts
May 17 2010 04:29 GMT
#13
Building the worker first is obviously more efficient since you should be able to queue the second worker before the first is finished anyway. That is of course if you get a good split. I find that I almost always have my second worker in queue before the first is done. Therefore you will have more workers faster.
Anxiety
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States650 Posts
May 17 2010 04:34 GMT
#14
LOL in BW i screwed up a split so badly... I clicked on the mineral patch instead of an SCV and i was like WTF IS WRONG.
-orb-
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States5770 Posts
May 17 2010 04:38 GMT
#15
Build your worker first

but this really isn't big enough of a deal to ever affect your games. At the very highest level of brood war this might make a difference but no one is even close to that level at sc2 yet
'life of lively to live to life of full life thx to shield battery'
how sad that sc2 has no shield battery :(
Hyperion2010
Profile Joined April 2010
United States122 Posts
May 17 2010 04:56 GMT
#16
On May 17 2010 13:20 iCCup.Raelcun wrote:
F1 split is where it's at imo, select hatch SD, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click. Tiny differences but the F1 split looks gosu when people watch you do it.


lol, I wonder how many sc1 players forgot about the hot new tech of the idle worker button (I know i did)
My waifu for aiur!
Jintetsu
Profile Joined May 2010
Sweden152 Posts
May 17 2010 04:57 GMT
#17
allways que up worker then split, did that in bw, wc3 and in sc2
http://www.alien-invasion.eu
nitdkim
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
1264 Posts
May 17 2010 04:59 GMT
#18
jus make unit then split.
PM me if you want random korean images translated.
johnnybrav0
Profile Joined March 2010
United States61 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-17 05:15:38
May 17 2010 05:12 GMT
#19
On May 17 2010 13:20 iCCup.Raelcun wrote:
F1 split is where it's at imo, select hatch SD, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click. Tiny differences but the F1 split looks gosu when people watch you do it.

Nice, I'll have to try that just so I can look cool. I never even realized the initial workers were "idle" but I mean its pretty obvious now that you mention it.

A side question on something I've never tried but it seems like it would definitely work the best: does anyone hit "Backspace" + "E" (for Protoss) for the initial probe? I always click the Nexus but it seems like hitting Backspace would be the fastest way to do it.
Exteray
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States1094 Posts
May 17 2010 05:19 GMT
#20
On May 17 2010 14:12 johnnybrav0 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 17 2010 13:20 iCCup.Raelcun wrote:
F1 split is where it's at imo, select hatch SD, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click, F1 Click. Tiny differences but the F1 split looks gosu when people watch you do it.

Nice, I'll have to try that just so I can look cool. I never even realized the initial workers were "idle" but I mean its pretty obvious now that you mention it.

A side question on something I've never tried but it seems like it would definitely work the best: does anyone hit "Backspace" + "E" (for Protoss) for the initial probe? I always click the Nexus but it seems like hitting Backspace would be the fastest way to do it.


But then you'd have to move your right hand to the mouse and select all the workers. It would be slower overall I think
1 2 3 4 5 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 2h 18m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
SortOf 199
Rex 69
StarCraft: Brood War
Hyuk 1135
Larva 995
Killer 291
Zeus 266
Leta 112
Mind 64
Aegong 47
Free 47
scan(afreeca) 45
soO 39
[ Show more ]
910 30
GoRush 27
Sharp 23
ZergMaN 22
Bale 20
yabsab 18
ToSsGirL 10
sorry 7
Yoon 1
Dota 2
XaKoH 296
League of Legends
JimRising 553
Counter-Strike
olofmeister1068
Other Games
ceh9862
KnowMe89
RuFF_SC223
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick21151
StarCraft 2
TaKeTV445
Other Games
BasetradeTV215
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream74
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• LUISG 12
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• lizZardDota250
League of Legends
• Jankos2291
• Stunt255
Upcoming Events
GSL
2h 18m
Replay Cast
15h 18m
WardiTV Weekly
1d 2h
PiGosaur Cup
1d 15h
The PondCast
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
CrankTV Team League
3 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
CrankTV Team League
4 days
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
4 days
RSL Revival
5 days
CranKy Ducklings
5 days
Afreeca Starleague
5 days
Snow vs Jaedong
YSC vs hero
RSL Revival
6 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

CSL Season 21: Qualifier 2
HSC XXIX
Eternal Conflict S2 E1

Ongoing

IPSL Spring 2026
Acropolis #4
YSL S3
CSL 2026 Summer (S21)
SCTL 2026 Spring
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S3: W2
ASL Season 22:Wild Card Qualifier
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Revival: Season 6
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
Light Tournament 2026
Eternal Conflict S2 Finale
Eternal Conflict S2 E3
Eternal Conflict S2 E2
Heroes Pulsing #3
Logitech G Connect 2026
StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #5
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
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.