• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 08:18
CET 14:18
KST 22:18
  • 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
RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview8RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners12
Community News
Weekly Cups (Jan 5-11): Clem wins big offline, Trigger upsets0$21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7)12Weekly Cups (Dec 29-Jan 4): Protoss rolls, 2v2 returns7[BSL21] Non-Korean Championship - Starts Jan 103SC2 All-Star Invitational: Jan 17-1822
StarCraft 2
General
When will we find out if there are more tournament SC2 Spotted on the EWC 2026 list? Weekly Cups (Jan 5-11): Clem wins big offline, Trigger upsets Weekly Cups (Dec 29-Jan 4): Protoss rolls, 2v2 returns Spontaneous hotkey change zerg
Tourneys
$25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced $21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7) WardiTV Winter Cup WardiTV Mondays SC2 AI Tournament 2026
Strategy
Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 508 Violent Night Mutation # 507 Well Trained Mutation # 506 Warp Zone Mutation # 505 Rise From Ashes
Brood War
General
Potential ASL qualifier breakthroughs? BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BW General Discussion StarCraft & BroodWar Campaign Speedrun Quest Data analysis on 70 million replays
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL21] Grand Finals - Sunday 21:00 CET [BSL21] Non-Korean Championship - Starts Jan 10 SLON Grand Finals – Season 2
Strategy
Game Theory for Starcraft Simple Questions, Simple Answers Current Meta [G] How to get started on ladder as a new Z player
Other Games
General Games
Beyond All Reason Nintendo Switch Thread Awesome Games Done Quick 2026! Mechabellum Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread
Dota 2
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 Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Trading/Investing Thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
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 TL+ Announced
Blogs
My 2025 Magic: The Gathering…
DARKING
Physical Exercise (HIIT) Bef…
TrAiDoS
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1197 users

Why you shouldnt be playing random on ladder.

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 22 23 24 Next All
XERtirips
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
United States123 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-08-22 22:12:18
August 22 2012 21:54 GMT
#1
I have nothing against random, because I play random too, just not like picking random.

Like I choose terran for 10 games in a row then switch, etc.

But the reason why I disagree a ton with playing random is;

Learning defections.

---------

Just think, you play random, maybe you're chosen zerg, and you get a toss player.
The toss cant play out the standard early-midgame pvz until he either; lets the zerg scout him, or he scouts early on before his first pylon (Perhaps 7 supply?) and lets say, the toss is good and opens up 1 gate fe (not the normal pvz) and the zerg is forced to open up pool first because of the threat of early zealots with an expo behind it.


If you still don't understand, lemme try again;

You're chosen Protoss vs a zerg (again yes PvZ, just the player is protoss.) and the zerg is forced to open safe 11 pool or 15 pool, or defensive 10 pool and then expanding behind a speedling allin or baneling bust on 2 base.

Its not the standard ZvP/PvZ and you can only learn off of the non standard pvz that you get as being random.

I understand on how some actually do play random and tell their race, this post is not directed towards you. ^^
I do understand also on how some people dont even play random but do sometimes for the lols and try to learn abit about the other races, this isn't partially directed towards you guys/girls, either.

I am really putting this directly at the randoms on ladder who are plat or below who don't tell their race.

If you still dont understand, heres my TL;DR.

TL;DR= You dont play the normal meta game for each match up outside of random, and it's a bad learning defect in playing sc2.

/topic

(This is my first serious topic on TeamLiquid forums.
The original topic title was "Why I don't agree with playing random" but it didn't fit the topic.)
www.twitch.tv/tgo1 Top 8 Platinum Protoss livestreaming, trying to get better =D
Iyerbeth
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
England2410 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-08-22 22:00:53
August 22 2012 21:57 GMT
#2
That only works if your goal with playing random is learning and that the learning should be how to play a standard game. If you wanted to say "You shouldn't play random if you want to play to improve at playing the standard meta game, and assume that random isn't a valid meta game to learn" then sure, but I think it's narrow minded to assume that'd be the reason everyone plays the game.

Edit: I guess the other way of wording it would be "Why I don't play random".
♥ Liquid`Sheth ♥ Liquid`TLO ♥
Atlasy
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Hungary229 Posts
August 22 2012 21:57 GMT
#3
ehh,,, until you are playing on pro level you shouldn't bother with these kind of things, Under diamond(maybe master) everything is non standard so..
BloodNinja
Profile Joined June 2010
United States2791 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-08-22 22:01:20
August 22 2012 21:58 GMT
#4
I play random because its fun and I play to have fun. So why shouldn't I play random and have fun? Why exactly should I care about the metagame? Its not like I plan on going pro (or even hitting GM on ladder).
komakino
Profile Joined March 2011
United States12 Posts
August 22 2012 22:00 GMT
#5
Your whole post is about why you shouldn't play random if you want to learn the meta game or improve. I have two accounts. One where I play zerg and the other where I play random just for fun when I want to play SC2 but do not want to focus on climbing the ladder,working on mechanics, etc.

You should really consider reframing your post. It just sounds like you don't understand why a lot of people play a game; it is fun.

I understand what you are saying and I think you are right but I think few people play random to really improve at a high level and learn the metagame.
Mr Showtime
Profile Joined April 2011
United States1353 Posts
August 22 2012 22:03 GMT
#6
I guess this is good advice for the 5 random players who are really trying to be the best on their server. As for everyone else, they probably don't care.
XERtirips
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
United States123 Posts
August 22 2012 22:04 GMT
#7
I understand what you are saying and I think you are right but I think few people play random to really improve at a high level and learn the metagame.


I sometimes play random on another account to see what I lose to if I play vs my main race as another race.

So I guess you're right on that part. :p
www.twitch.tv/tgo1 Top 8 Platinum Protoss livestreaming, trying to get better =D
Gulf
Profile Joined May 2010
Scotland213 Posts
August 22 2012 22:04 GMT
#8
On August 23 2012 06:54 XERtirips wrote:
I have nothing against random, because I play random too, just not like picking random.

Like I choose terran for 10 games in a row then switch, etc.

But the reason why I disagree a ton with playing random is;

Learning defections.

---------

Just think, you play random, maybe you're chosen zerg, and you get a toss player.
The toss cant play out the standard early-midgame pvz until he either; lets the zerg scout him, or he scouts early on before his first pylon (Perhaps 7 supply?) and lets say, the toss is good and opens up 1 gate fe (not the normal pvz) and the zerg is forced to open up pool first because of the threat of early zealots with an expo behind it.


If you still don't understand, lemme try again;

You're chosen Protoss vs a zerg (again yes PvZ, just the player is protoss.) and the zerg is forced to open safe 11 pool or 15 pool, or defensive 10 pool and then expanding behind a speedling allin or baneling bust on 2 base.

Its not the standard ZvP/PvZ and you can only learn off of the non standard pvz that you get as being random.

If you still dont understand, heres my TL;DR.

TL;DR= You dont play the normal meta game for each match up outside of random, and it's a bad learning defect in playing sc2.

/topic

(This is my first serious topic on TeamLiquid forums.
The original topic title was "Why I don't agree with playing random" but it didn't fit the topic.)



I understand what you are trying to say, but I disagree wtih your argument. Why is it bad for people to experience non standard games? Experience outwith that standard metagame openings will still add to a players experience, which is still positive learning.
Maxd11
Profile Joined July 2011
United States680 Posts
August 22 2012 22:06 GMT
#9
Jelly of my dark-voice portrait are ya?
I looked in the mirror and saw biupilm69t
Ezaura_au
Profile Joined August 2012
114 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-08-22 22:08:38
August 22 2012 22:07 GMT
#10
I want to play random on ladder then I'll play random. It's there as a choice, therefore it isn't forbidden or any sort of cheat.

TL;DR (fashionable) go fuck yourself .

User was warned for this post
furo
Profile Joined March 2012
Germany449 Posts
August 22 2012 22:08 GMT
#11
why do you want to play standard if there is no standard play for you?
you play random, not a specific race.
this works in your favour (metagame-wise)
Elche
Profile Joined June 2011
Finland170 Posts
August 22 2012 22:08 GMT
#12
Couldn't you just tell your opponent what race you happened to roll?
andReslic
Profile Joined January 2012
216 Posts
August 22 2012 22:10 GMT
#13
lol I doubt anyone cares about this, random is there and people will use it lol or dont tell me is it killing esports?
PardonYou
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States1360 Posts
August 22 2012 22:11 GMT
#14
Don't tell people not to do something. Seems rude and pompous.
Badfatpanda
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States9719 Posts
August 22 2012 22:11 GMT
#15
No you actually learn to play the game if you want to. I wanted my portraits when I played random, and I got them, I just gold people my race. These threads are absolutely nonsense and have no bearing on the few thousand people that will read them. I played random, I told people my race, and I got shit on in chat and allin'd everygame still. Where are you 50 threads a month about that? Random is a legitimate race, if people don't wish to disclose their in game race, get a build for vs random that can adapt to each matchup later on after you scout it. They have to learn 9 matchups, you don't. Deal with it

/sunglasses.
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. -Beethoven | Mech isn't a build, it's a way of life. -MajOr | Charlie.Sheen: "What is sarcastic, kids who have no courage to fight?" | #TerranPride #yolo #swag -Naama after 2-0'ing MC at HSC VI
XERtirips
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
United States123 Posts
August 22 2012 22:11 GMT
#16
On August 23 2012 07:04 Gulf wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 23 2012 06:54 XERtirips wrote:
I have nothing against random, because I play random too, just not like picking random.

Like I choose terran for 10 games in a row then switch, etc.

But the reason why I disagree a ton with playing random is;

Learning defections.

---------

Just think, you play random, maybe you're chosen zerg, and you get a toss player.
The toss cant play out the standard early-midgame pvz until he either; lets the zerg scout him, or he scouts early on before his first pylon (Perhaps 7 supply?) and lets say, the toss is good and opens up 1 gate fe (not the normal pvz) and the zerg is forced to open up pool first because of the threat of early zealots with an expo behind it.


If you still don't understand, lemme try again;

You're chosen Protoss vs a zerg (again yes PvZ, just the player is protoss.) and the zerg is forced to open safe 11 pool or 15 pool, or defensive 10 pool and then expanding behind a speedling allin or baneling bust on 2 base.

Its not the standard ZvP/PvZ and you can only learn off of the non standard pvz that you get as being random.

If you still dont understand, heres my TL;DR.

TL;DR= You dont play the normal meta game for each match up outside of random, and it's a bad learning defect in playing sc2.

/topic

(This is my first serious topic on TeamLiquid forums.
The original topic title was "Why I don't agree with playing random" but it didn't fit the topic.)



I understand what you are trying to say, but I disagree wtih your argument. Why is it bad for people to experience non standard games? Experience outwith that standard metagame openings will still add to a players experience, which is still positive learning.


I never said it was bad.
I just don't agree with how you have to play vs random and then the random has to shift with that in a weird, unorthadox way.

(Im talking about low leagues here, and the argument is mostly too.)
www.twitch.tv/tgo1 Top 8 Platinum Protoss livestreaming, trying to get better =D
Fluffboll
Profile Joined May 2011
Sweden516 Posts
August 22 2012 22:12 GMT
#17
On August 23 2012 07:10 andReslic wrote:
lol I doubt anyone cares about this, random is there and people will use it lol or dont tell me is it killing esports?


With all the "Anti-Random" threads that has been popping up lately the answer seems to be yes, at least according to the thread creators of said threads.

OT: If someone wants to play random, let them play random... why all these threads?
You need to construct additional pylons.
Noizhende
Profile Joined January 2012
Austria328 Posts
August 22 2012 22:13 GMT
#18
So you are saying that by playing the standard builds over and over again you are learning more than by facing more unpredictable, intuitive builds?
I don't think so.
Die neuen Tempel haben schon Risse - künftige Ruinen - einst wächst Gras auch über diese Stadt - über ihre letzte Schicht
Capped
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
United Kingdom7236 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-08-22 22:16:19
August 22 2012 22:13 GMT
#19
Lol, this thread is pointless, heres why

If you play random and it disrupts the metagame into something different, it doesnt matter because THAT is then the metagame they need to know, because they play random. Catch my drift?

Random player Vs X

the random player will eventually learn what races do in that position (vs rdm) and develop strategies behind it, much like the normal metagame.

Because its not "normal" gameplay from a typical XvX means nothing to a random player, the fucked up version is his norm.

EDIT: Wether its a detriment to your opponent or not, its a challenge to them, which is a good thing imo. Not being able to execute a safe build vs all MU's is fail anyway, and if it puts you behind, your expertise with your race should even things out, random players arent experts at a chosen matchup, they're jacks of all trades, right? ^^ (Or as i like to call them, cheesey bastards.)

Also, who the FUCK will trust random ladder player saying : Dont worry bro im toss. Next minute, 6 zerglings in ur base raping them probies.
Useless wet fish.
SiegeFlank
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States410 Posts
August 22 2012 22:14 GMT
#20
People should play whatever they enjoy the most. If they enjoy playing random, then they should play random.
Bird up
1 2 3 4 5 22 23 24 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
RongYI Cup
11:00
Qualifier 3
WardiTV871
Rex151
BRAT_OK 116
3DClanTV 33
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 260
Rex 151
SortOf 130
BRAT_OK 116
SC2Nice 1
StarCraft: Brood War
Rain 13023
Sea 6330
Horang2 2070
EffOrt 1873
Shuttle 1599
Stork 789
Mini 712
actioN 654
Larva 587
Soma 468
[ Show more ]
Hyuk 406
ZerO 308
ggaemo 300
firebathero 280
Light 248
Zeus 192
Rush 174
Snow 146
Mong 122
Mind 110
Pusan 107
Sharp 104
Hyun 103
hero 100
JYJ 49
Free 41
Sexy 28
Yoon 28
Terrorterran 24
JulyZerg 18
Bale 17
scan(afreeca) 16
soO 16
HiyA 14
ajuk12(nOOB) 12
GoRush 9
Sacsri 9
Noble 7
Icarus 6
Dota 2
XcaliburYe191
ODPixel99
Counter-Strike
olofmeister2342
x6flipin650
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King87
Other Games
B2W.Neo1539
Pyrionflax395
crisheroes251
Fuzer 240
hiko89
QueenE31
ZerO(Twitch)14
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick3484
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 9
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• naamasc219
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• lizZardDota2117
League of Legends
• Jankos4361
• Lourlo1776
• TFBlade584
Upcoming Events
WardiTV Invitational
42m
PiGosaur Cup
11h 42m
WardiTV Invitational
22h 42m
The PondCast
1d 20h
OSC
1d 22h
OSC
2 days
All Star Teams
3 days
INnoVation vs soO
sOs vs Scarlett
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
3 days
All Star Teams
4 days
MMA vs DongRaeGu
Rogue vs Oliveira
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
[ Show More ]
OSC
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Wardi Open
5 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-01-12
Big Gabe Cup #3
NA Kuram Kup

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
OSC Championship Season 13
Underdog Cup #3
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S1: W4
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
Rongyi Cup S3
Thunderfire SC2 All-star 2025
Nations Cup 2026
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
ESL Pro League Season 23
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 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.