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How do you macro?

Forum Index > BW General
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1 2 3 Next All
Pacman234
Profile Joined December 2010
United States88 Posts
January 30 2011 02:01 GMT
#1
I just got BroodWar a month ago, and downloaded iccup 2 days ago. Obviously, I did not have good macro when i start, and i still dont. so basically, how do you macro? How can i keep my money low? I just did a computer game where i attacked right before his small push comes, and then i had over 4k minerals and 800 gas. How do i spend it?

I had 5 racks, 1 factory, and 2 starports (but keep in mind i suck, and didnt have all of this at the start or producing all the time), i was constantly producing workers, and never got supply blocked, but GODDANG do i need to macro!

What can you afford on 2 bases, and what do you hotkey? I only use 1 hotkey for all barracks, 1 for all facts, and 1 for all ports. Should I use more? My bar gets filled up.

Please, post in this thread if u can help, or have the same problem.
iamho
Profile Joined June 2009
United States3347 Posts
January 30 2011 02:05 GMT
#2
Don't bother hotkeying buildings at all after early game

You can set f2-f4 for certain locations(shift+f2, etc), i.e one of your macro area, another for your rally point
hotkeys 1-9 should be army + scans
ZeroChrome
Profile Joined September 2010
Canada1001 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:10:34
January 30 2011 02:10 GMT
#3
IIRC terran can afford up to 9 barracks and 2 starports on 2 bases if you have enough SCVs, but you dont want to do that. Optimally you want 6 barracks/1 factory/1 starport OR 6 barracks/2 starports.

As for hotkeys use the f buttons. Plan ahead and build all your production facilities in one area so you can fit them all on one screen. Then bind that screen to either f2, f3, or f4. Bind your rally point area to another f key as well. That way you can easily go back to your macro area and build units quickly without having to scroll around. Then just train yourself to go back to that area every X seconds so that your production cycle stays on track.
Forward
ArvickHero
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
10387 Posts
January 30 2011 02:11 GMT
#4
6-9 Gateways from early-midgame, 0 robo. 9 Stargate in PvZ

once I get more than 4 gates I start using f2-f3
Writerptrk
Luddite
Profile Blog Joined April 2007
United States2315 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:11:50
January 30 2011 02:11 GMT
#5
This is how I macro:[image loading]
Can't believe I'm still here playing this same game
alffla
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Hong Kong20321 Posts
January 30 2011 02:14 GMT
#6
people usually use 1-4 for unit hotkey gruops and 5-0 for buildings

so 1a2a3a4a 5m6m7m or somethnig like that (building marines lulz) then if terran usually 9and 0 are for scans for the 2 scans at ur 2 CCs.
Graphicssavior[gm] : What is a “yawn” rape ;; Masumune - It was the year of the pig for those fucking defilers. Chill - A clinic you say? okum: SC without Korean yelling is like porn without sex. konamix: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!
WuzzupPeeps
Profile Joined October 2009
130 Posts
January 30 2011 02:20 GMT
#7
I'm a zerg and I use 67890 for initial 5 hatches, later hatches i either put it besides my hotkey 8 hatchery (which is my third inbase hatchery zvt) or beside my hotkey 6 hatchery (which is my main hatch in zvp) so i can quickly start using those.

I have a similar although not really optimal style for terran and protoss, I keep the production buildings around my main cc/nexus and I double click 6 everytime and i start clicking away. I never used the F keys because my fingers feel awkward trying to press them :/ But for optimised play I do strongly suggest you get used to using the F keys
therockmanxx
Profile Joined July 2010
Peru1174 Posts
January 30 2011 02:21 GMT
#8
Move army Then move ur screen back to ur production facilities
Just click your buildings manually and use them is not that difficult O.o
4k Minerals ... whts ur apm 50 or u just play sc2 xD
Tekken ProGamer
Ilikestarcraft
Profile Blog Joined November 2004
Korea (South)17727 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:30:04
January 30 2011 02:23 GMT
#9
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=63183#2

Just add raxes when you need the money. I don't really know anyone who hotkeys their facts and ports. You can do it if you want. Its just usually you end up using 1-5/6 for your army and 098 for scan you usually only have 1 or 2 keys left to use, that most people just hotkey one of their raxes because your facts/ports will usually be in the general location of your raxes anyways. You can use one of the fkeys for that too.
"Nana is a goddess. Or at very least, Nana is my goddess." - KazeHydra
Spekulatius
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany2413 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:33:52
January 30 2011 02:28 GMT
#10
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons which my left hand normally hovers over?
I always wondered how people could use the buttons 7+. I'm kinda confined to 1-6, it works fine, but I'm curious. Anyone?
Always smile~
Pacman234
Profile Joined December 2010
United States88 Posts
January 30 2011 02:31 GMT
#11
ty guys, especially for the f2-f4 trick OMG FREAKING JIZZ IN MAH PANTS!
Ilikestarcraft
Profile Blog Joined November 2004
Korea (South)17727 Posts
January 30 2011 02:32 GMT
#12
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons, that it normally hovers over?

I don't get what you are saying. You mean how do you hotkey something to zero?
"Nana is a goddess. Or at very least, Nana is my goddess." - KazeHydra
puppykiller
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States3128 Posts
January 30 2011 02:34 GMT
#13
you have to memorize the unit completion times. Also watch an fpvod or something where you can see how someone with experience fits macro into their play.
Why would I play sctoo when I can play BW?
lyAsakura
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States1414 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:38:46
January 30 2011 02:37 GMT
#14
On January 30 2011 11:05 iamho wrote:
Don't bother hotkeying buildings at all after early game

You can set f2-f4 for certain locations(shift+f2, etc), i.e one of your macro area, another for your rally point
hotkeys 1-9 should be army + scans


What I do.
I do feel wrong though, when I see random progamers replays and they are scrolling through two production facilities the entire game, although I really don't see the point



On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons which my left hand normally hovers over?
I always wondered how people could use the buttons 7+. I'm kinda confined to 1-6, it works fine, but I'm curious. Anyone?


You just reach over and press it. Don't put army into those keys. Put stuff you only need to use occasionally like scans, dropships, scouting rax, etc. Jaedong doesn't use 8-0, so you're not the only one. There is no real secret, just hand accuracy on the keyboard.
WeMade FOX would be a deadly SC2 team.
Spekulatius
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany2413 Posts
January 30 2011 02:37 GMT
#15
On January 30 2011 11:32 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons, that it normally hovers over?

I don't get what you are saying. You mean how do you hotkey something to zero?


I guess I phrased it wrong. Sure I can bind it, but it's just not practical at all for me to use it from then on, because if I try to reach the hotkeys (7-0) blindly, I miss them or I have to move my hand and then miss the other buttons that I came from (wasd,123etc).
Always smile~
Ideas
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States8100 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 02:41:33
January 30 2011 02:40 GMT
#16
On January 30 2011 11:37 Spekulatius wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 11:32 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons, that it normally hovers over?

I don't get what you are saying. You mean how do you hotkey something to zero?


I guess I phrased it wrong. Sure I can bind it, but it's just not practical at all for me to use it from then on, because if I try to reach the hotkeys (7-0) blindly, I miss them or I have to move my hand and then miss the other buttons that I came from (wasd,123etc).


the keys on the right half of the keyboard take a lot longer to get used to pressing than the left half. even today i still have problems hitting 8,9,0 (not to mention u,i,o) on the keyboard when im in a hurry.

when i first started i actually put a piece of tape on the U key since i kept missing it in the heat of battle and losing all my lurkers because they wouldnt burrow lol. eventually i got to the point where i was able to take it off
Free Palestine
puppykiller
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States3128 Posts
January 30 2011 02:41 GMT
#17
On January 30 2011 11:37 Spekulatius wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 11:32 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons, that it normally hovers over?

I don't get what you are saying. You mean how do you hotkey something to zero?


I guess I phrased it wrong. Sure I can bind it, but it's just not practical at all for me to use it from then on, because if I try to reach the hotkeys (7-0) blindly, I miss them or I have to move my hand and then miss the other buttons that I came from (wasd,123etc).


You have to practice hitting these keys till you can do it. personaly I put some tape on the 8 key to make it easier to tell where the other kes around it are.

Im suprised this hasnt been moved to strategy yet considering it's title is a dead give away.
Why would I play sctoo when I can play BW?
Spekulatius
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany2413 Posts
January 30 2011 02:42 GMT
#18
On January 30 2011 11:40 Ideas wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 11:37 Spekulatius wrote:
On January 30 2011 11:32 Ilikestarcraft wrote:
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons, that it normally hovers over?

I don't get what you are saying. You mean how do you hotkey something to zero?


I guess I phrased it wrong. Sure I can bind it, but it's just not practical at all for me to use it from then on, because if I try to reach the hotkeys (7-0) blindly, I miss them or I have to move my hand and then miss the other buttons that I came from (wasd,123etc).


the keys on the right half of the keyboard take a lot longer to get used to pressing than the left half. even today i still have problems hitting 8,9,0 (not to mention u,i,o) on the keyboard when im in a hurry.

when i first started i actually put a piece of tape on the U key since i kept missing it in the heat of battle and losing all my lurkers because they wouldnt burrow lol. eventually i got to the point where i was able to take it off


So I'm not the only one encountering problems there... Good to know
Always smile~
Sentenal
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States12398 Posts
January 30 2011 02:43 GMT
#19
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons which my left hand normally hovers over?
I always wondered how people could use the buttons 7+. I'm kinda confined to 1-6, it works fine, but I'm curious. Anyone?

I imagine that Zerg and Terran wouldn't use the 0 hotkey that much. They probably would use it for stuff like scans, or other things they seldom need to us, but never for control groups or anything. Protoss often uses it for Nexus', since 0 is right next to the p key (for probes). When you need to press it, you actually move your hand over! lol
"Apparently, Sentenal is a paragon of friendship and tolerance. " - Ech0ne
Spekulatius
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany2413 Posts
January 30 2011 02:49 GMT
#20
On January 30 2011 11:43 Sentenal wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 11:28 Spekulatius wrote:
How does one grab the "0" button? Am I the only one to have a hand that can't reach the zero without losing the a,q,w or 1,2,3 buttons which my left hand normally hovers over?
I always wondered how people could use the buttons 7+. I'm kinda confined to 1-6, it works fine, but I'm curious. Anyone?

I imagine that Zerg and Terran wouldn't use the 0 hotkey that much. They probably would use it for stuff like scans, or other things they seldom need to us, but never for control groups or anything. Protoss often uses it for Nexus', since 0 is right next to the p key (for probes). When you need to press it, you actually move your hand over! lol


So my lack of manual dexterity, that prevented me from learning the guitar when I was young, comes haunting me again?

Dammit.
Always smile~
1 2 3 Next All
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