• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 12:59
CEST 18:59
KST 01:59
  • 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
Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners5Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection7Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview5[ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies21
Community News
[BSL22] Non-Korean Championship from 13 to 28 June2Weekly Cups (May 25-31): Clem doubles, 2v2 circuit heads toward finale0StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th152Weekly Cups (May 18-24): MaxPax wins doubles0Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League6
StarCraft 2
General
StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th TL Poll: How do you feel about the 5.0.16 PTR balance changes? Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection Oliveira Would Have Returned If EWC Continued
Tourneys
Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule ! Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) Douyu Cup 2026 GSL Code S Season 2 (2026) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 529 Opportunities Unleashed Mutation # 528 Infection Detected Welcome to the External Content forum
Brood War
General
The Korean Terminology Thread Data needed Quality of life changes in BW that you will like ? BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BW fans in southern Sweden, look here!
Tourneys
[ASL21] Grand Finals [BSL22] Grand Finals - Sunday 21:00 CEST [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2
Strategy
Why doesn't anyone use restoration? Any training maps people recommend? Muta micro map competition [G] Hydra ZvZ: An Introduction
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread PC Games Sales Thread ZeroSpace Megathread Summer Games Done Quick 2026!
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 Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Trading/Investing Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [TV/BOOK] *SPOILERS* Game of Thrones Discussion [Manga] One Piece
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Cricket [SPORT] NBA General Discussion McBoner: A hockey love story Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Facing Challenges in Mobile App Development
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How Streaming Impacts Game P…
TrAiDoS
An Exploration of th…
waywardstrategy
I'm an arrogant trash talke…
FlaShFTW
Gauntlet SC2: A Retrospectiv…
Ctone23
Why RTS gamers make better f…
gosubay
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 11304 users

Best graphic settings for optimized play?

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 3 Next All
kuruptt
Profile Joined August 2012
Canada168 Posts
January 20 2013 14:55 GMT
#1
Hello there, I have searched a lot of threads about this on which graphic settings are the best to play on, specifically settings that are the easiest to see cloaked and burrowed units and have not found a conclusion! I've heard playing on lowest settings is the best, a combination of medium/low settings or lowest settings with ultra textures. It sucks that Sc2 doesn't have a training mode where we can test these out! I'm only a silver league player but I like to research these kinds of things to give me an edge. Right now I am using the settings that looks closest to the hybridic settings by Existor. I would still want to know which are definitely the best settings to see cloaked AND burrowed units. Has anyone came to a conclusion?
Deleted User 197942
Profile Joined July 2011
Romania151 Posts
January 20 2013 15:01 GMT
#2
Check out "thejakatakshow" on YouTube, there is a guide there for both HotS and WoL settings.
Mahanaim
Profile Joined December 2012
Korea (South)1002 Posts
January 20 2013 15:06 GMT
#3
It varies by what you mean by "optimized." Want the most eye-appealing? Highest settings. Want the units and the terrain to look completely different so that you can easily spot enemy units? Lowest settings.
Celebrating Starcraft since... a long time ago.
Targe
Profile Blog Joined February 2012
United Kingdom14103 Posts
January 20 2013 15:11 GMT
#4
Personally I just always run on low because the risk of my computer slowing down in a 200/200 fight isn't worth the possibility of spotting a burrowed unit, I rarely miss things like observers etc. though.
11/5/14 CATACLYSM | The South West's worst Falco main
WeRRa
Profile Joined December 2010
378 Posts
January 20 2013 15:12 GMT
#5
All koreans play on medium settings, cause then you can spot the invisible units the best and still have a good performence.
At least this is what MKP said at this stream.
InnoVation Fighting!!!
HeeroFX
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
United States2704 Posts
January 20 2013 15:23 GMT
#6
Personally I max everything out cause my computer is beasty, and I enjoy everything, But I think Low or medium is what a lot of pros will use unless they are streaming.
kuruptt
Profile Joined August 2012
Canada168 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-01-20 15:25:17
January 20 2013 15:24 GMT
#7
On January 21 2013 00:12 WeRRa wrote:
All koreans play on medium settings, cause then you can spot the invisible units the best and still have a good performence.
At least this is what MKP said at this stream.


Yes this is what I was looking for. Do you know the specifics of the settings to see invisible units?

Sorry if my post didn't make much sense. I want to know the best settings to see invisible units such as observers and burrowed roaches! I do not care if the game looks pretty, I much rather play on the lowest settings but I won't be able to see cloaked or burrowed units easily
TAMinator
Profile Joined February 2011
Australia2706 Posts
January 20 2013 15:44 GMT
#8
There is no "best". What graphic setting is best for you, is based on what you're comfortable with.
AicyDC
Profile Joined November 2012
United Kingdom71 Posts
January 20 2013 16:02 GMT
#9
It really doesn't matter that much and ultra settings look really good and low settings look really shitty, so I like to play on the highest settings.
It wasn't raining when noah built the ark
dani`
Profile Joined January 2011
Netherlands2402 Posts
January 20 2013 16:04 GMT
#10
What do you mean when you say SC2 does not have a training mode to test things out? You can just create a 1v1 game vs AI or use one of the various 'Unit Tester' custom maps to test out graphic settings in various contexts.

Regarding the optimal visual setting; I'd recommend just go with whatever your computer can run optimally and you like the best. Let's be honest here it's not like the (alleged) increased visibility of cloak units is something that will make you go from Silver to Gold. I mean no offense whatsoever here, I merely want to stress the gain is almost non-existent, thus I would recommend just going with whatever you are most comfortable with rather than something that will perhaps win you 1 more game in a 1000.
Grooovey
Profile Joined February 2012
Germany11 Posts
January 20 2013 16:08 GMT
#11
Im playing on low settings. Not because my isnt good enough for ultra settings but i dont like those ultra settings. to much effects and you could miss some game decideing moments.
My life for E-Sport
n0ise
Profile Joined April 2010
3452 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-01-20 16:14:33
January 20 2013 16:13 GMT
#12
wrong; for the record, i do feel there are definitely better settings you could get for a particular setup
kuruptt
Profile Joined August 2012
Canada168 Posts
January 20 2013 16:19 GMT
#13
Again people I don't care what looks best to me. I just want to see cloaked and burrowed units easier without going to super ultra high because I feel as the lower the settings the more responsive it is. So I want to know the best way to do this. As stated from many people in this thread koreans use mostly medium settings! The hybridic settings from existor is something like this. Need more input and conclusive information!
KDot2
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States1213 Posts
January 20 2013 16:29 GMT
#14
generally a lot of people agree that everything should be low except textures and effects which should be ultra

many people including pros play with these settings
SiroKO
Profile Joined February 2012
France721 Posts
January 20 2013 16:32 GMT
#15
On January 21 2013 00:06 Mahanaim wrote:
It varies by what you mean by "optimized." Want the most eye-appealing? Highest settings. Want the units and the terrain to look completely different so that you can easily spot enemy units? Lowest settings.


A lot of misinformations have been spread on this issue, most notably by commentators such as Tasteless and Artosis.
I've been to a few LAN tournaments and watched quite a lot of tournament streams. I've pretty much never seen any semi-pro/pro with low settings.
Fact is, the game has been optimized for medium settings + play.
With low settings, it is impossible to feel as well the flow of the game nor spot invisible units.
Our envy always last longer than the happiness of those we envy
imPermanenCe
Profile Joined July 2011
Netherlands595 Posts
January 20 2013 16:33 GMT
#16
You could test it yourself
I think it's partly subjective as well. Some people can spot things better with different settings.
I also think the lowest settings suck with cloak.
But why do you care for such precise settings? Do you have problems with lag that you can't play on somewhat above medium settings?
If you only care for cloak/burrow, just try the average medium setting and be done with it, I don't understand why you want exact settings.
Micro at its best is like an elegant dance between two people trying to achieve a similar end.
EtherealDeath
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States8366 Posts
January 20 2013 16:34 GMT
#17
On January 21 2013 01:32 SiroKO wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 21 2013 00:06 Mahanaim wrote:
It varies by what you mean by "optimized." Want the most eye-appealing? Highest settings. Want the units and the terrain to look completely different so that you can easily spot enemy units? Lowest settings.


A lot of misinformations have been spread on this issue, most notably by commentators such as Tasteless and Artosis.
I've been to a few LAN tournaments and watched quite a lot of tournament streams. I've pretty much never seen any semi-pro/pro with low settings.
Fact is, the game has been optimized for medium settings + play.
With low settings, it is impossible to feel as well the flow of the game nor spot invisible units.

Hmm time to try medium I suppose, although low with ultra shadows and effects has the most blatant invisible shit ever (because you have decent quality on the invis stuff contrasted with absolutely shitty terrain :D).
kiy0
Profile Joined August 2010
Portugal593 Posts
January 20 2013 16:45 GMT
#18
Many high level players use Texture quality on Ultra and then everything else on Low. I personally found this to be very satisfying.
Wisemen speak when they have something to say. Others speak when they have to say something.
WeRRa
Profile Joined December 2010
378 Posts
January 20 2013 16:55 GMT
#19
On January 21 2013 00:24 kuruptt wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 21 2013 00:12 WeRRa wrote:
All koreans play on medium settings, cause then you can spot the invisible units the best and still have a good performence.
At least this is what MKP said at this stream.


Yes this is what I was looking for. Do you know the specifics of the settings to see invisible units?

Sorry if my post didn't make much sense. I want to know the best settings to see invisible units such as observers and burrowed roaches! I do not care if the game looks pretty, I much rather play on the lowest settings but I won't be able to see cloaked or burrowed units easily

Well his settings are simply texture quality on medium, graphic quality on medium and unit portrais on 2D for a little bit better performance. He said most koreans play like this, cause you can spot invisible units the best. He said it somewhere in the Prime stream, cause TtPiG asked him there, cause most foreigners seem to play on low settings and MKP answered it looks shitty and you can't spot invisible units with low settings.
InnoVation Fighting!!!
grs
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
Germany2339 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-01-20 17:05:29
January 20 2013 17:05 GMT
#20
AFAIK: You want models on high, to be able to see protoss warp-ins and shaders and shadows on medium to better see cloaked units. You can also put everything on medium but these two are sufficient.
1 2 3 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Maestros of the Game
14:00
Playoffs
Classic vs RogueLIVE!
herO vs Clem
RotterdaM2048
IntoTheiNu 1336
ComeBackTV 1238
TaKeTV 706
SteadfastSC247
Ryung 237
Rex207
IndyStarCraft 181
CosmosSc2 90
BRAT_OK 86
EnkiAlexander 69
3DClanTV 58
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RotterdaM 2048
SteadfastSC 247
Ryung 237
Rex 207
IndyStarCraft 181
CosmosSc2 90
BRAT_OK 86
Livibee 65
RushiSC 19
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 47663
Sea 2379
Shuttle 1336
Free 163
Snow 69
Hyun 65
sorry 41
ToSsGirL 37
Sacsri 21
soO 20
[ Show more ]
Rock 19
IntoTheRainbow 14
Shine 12
Dota 2
Gorgc11925
qojqva2170
Counter-Strike
fl0m9309
pashabiceps1001
Coldzera 924
Stewie2K420
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor147
Other Games
gofns29689
tarik_tv8994
singsing1907
FrodaN985
B2W.Neo789
DeMusliM352
crisheroes269
C9.Mang0130
KnowMe121
ArmadaUGS86
Trikslyr59
MindelVK7
Organizations
Other Games
BasetradeTV227
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 18 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 39
• Migwel
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• sooper7s
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
StarCraft: Brood War
• HerbMon 19
• 80smullet 15
• FirePhoenix5
• Michael_bg 1
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
League of Legends
• Nemesis2987
• TFBlade1017
Other Games
• Shiphtur163
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
7h 1m
CranKy Ducklings
17h 1m
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
22h 1m
BSL22 NKC (BSL vs China)
1d 2h
eOnzErG vs Mihu
Messiah vs XuanXuan
Jaystar vs TerrOr
Dewalt vs Bonyth
eOnzErG vs XuanXuan
Mihu vs TerrOr
Messiah vs Bonyth
Sparkling Tuna Cup
1d 17h
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
1d 22h
BSL22 NKC (BSL vs China)
2 days
Jaystar vs Dewalt
eOnzErG vs TerrOr
XuanXuan vs Bonyth
Mihu vs Dewalt
Messiah vs Jaystar
eOnzErG vs Bonyth
TerrOr vs Dewalt
Wardi Open
2 days
OSC
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
[ Show More ]
The PondCast
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
OSC
6 days
CranKy Ducklings
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

BSL Season 22
2026 GSL S2
Heroes Pulsing #1

Ongoing

IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
YSL S3
Acropolis #4 - GSB
SCTL 2026 Spring
Maestros of the Game 2
WardiTV Spring 2026
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Murky Cup 2026
Heroes Pulsing #2
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
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1

Upcoming

BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
HSC XXIX
Douyu Cup 2026
Heroes Pulsing #3
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 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.