• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 13:46
CEST 19:46
KST 02:46
  • 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] Ro8 Preview: In A Tizzy6[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Holy Diver5[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Rough Waters10[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Siren's Call8[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Summer's End9
Community News
Weekly Cups (Sep 13-20): herO scores triple1BSL Season 235Weekly Cups (Sep 7-12): SHIN, ByuN, MaxPax double down1StarCraft open world shooter announced at BlizzCon101Weekly Cups (Aug 30-Sep 7): herO thrives amid growing schism10
StarCraft 2
General
Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool The Death of Cheese: From a Professional Cheeser Weekly Cups (Sep 13-20): herO scores triple Balance hotfix patch 5.0.16b (July 16) StarCraft open world shooter announced at BlizzCon
Tourneys
2026 GSTL Announcement Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL Revival: Season 6 - Qualifiers and Main Event RSL goes to London! 2026 Offline Finals Nov 21-22 SC2 AI Tournament 2026 Fall
Strategy
[H] ZvP Mid-Late Game: Stalkers Collossi HT
Custom Maps
Nexus Wars 2021 GUIDE [M] (2) Industrial Park
External Content
Mutation # 544 Double Trouble The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 543 Enhanced Defenses Mutation # 542 The Ascended
Brood War
General
Bot on ladder an AI researcher's take on the ladder bot New 3v3 BGH Ladder (and more) on ShieldBattery! Recent recommended BW games BSL Season 23
Tourneys
[ASL22] Ro8 Day 1 [IPSL] IPSL is Back With Winter 26-27! [BSL23] SM: Ret vs TerrOr -> DragOn vs StRyKeR [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Cliff Jump Revisited (1 in a 1000 strategy) Replay Review Process - What do you do? Simple Questions, Simple Answers Odyssey Mineral Stack Saturation
Other Games
General Games
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread EVE Corporation Diablo IV
Dota 2
Dota 2 Champions League Season 3 Begins April 25! Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Artificial Intelligence Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine All you football fans (soccer)! Russo-Ukrainian War Thread
Fan Clubs
MarineLorD Fan Club The Creator Fan Club The ShoWTimE Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece Diablo Animated Series on Netflix
Sports
Football (Soccer) Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
Gaming Intensity, Problemati…
TrAiDoS
38 yo Retired SWE loo…
PurE)Rabbit-SF
Can Bots Beat Pros?? Starcr…
namkraft
[meme] I finally understa…
LUCKY_NOOB
Regacy Esports:Our Goa…
regacyesports
Dreaming of BW patches (mod…
c3rberUs
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 8093 users

Question on Pro Player Aptitude ...

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 3 Next All
Alchemind
Profile Joined November 2010
Albania142 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-06-19 03:17:01
June 19 2012 03:14 GMT
#1
... I find it really interesting in the fact that if everyone would start playing SC2 on one day, there will naturally be people in whom excel and learn better then those in whom had the same amount of playing time.



There are tangible things we cant point to in-game such as APM, multitasking, managing economy, etc. Those are the things which are measurable though, and it really doesnt show anything about how the player got to the point in the first place. There must things that think "behind" themselves to understand not only why they lossed a game, but the deficient mentality that cause a wrong response cognitively.

Now take this example:

Idra is studying physics and it requires mathematical and spatial relationships. The part of his brain which exercises variables, space and number equations is wired in great deterministic connections which makes very good sense of how to predict whats gonna happen 5 minutes later the game and managing economy, which is why Idra is so good. The capacity for natural smarts makes up a ridiculously under-rated amount of how good you are as opposed to practice, I believe


I'm just curious on how people think why Pro's are Pro's beyond the actual strategies/mechanics, as the strategies/mechanics only came after the thought that resulted in said them.

Or did I just blow your fucking mind










You are a fucking choir boy compared to me!!!! A choir boy!!!!
kc
Profile Joined August 2006
Canada212 Posts
June 19 2012 03:18 GMT
#2
tbh studying physics has nothing to do with sc2 lol. idra is at the level he is because he has been playing the game for 8+ years
ThatGuyDoMo
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Australia516 Posts
June 19 2012 03:20 GMT
#3
I absolutely agree that some people are naturally more equipped to do certain things, it is an undeniable part of our neurology. Many like to shout and claim that no people have a natural advantage when playing complex games like Starcraft 2 becuse that would breed an inherent imbalance to certain players.

Biased perspective aside, for certain there are factors that allow players to be naturally better at certain things than others. There may not be a specific mindset bred for gaming as it is an inherently unnatural thing but think of people who are slightly better at mathematical concepts than others, think of those who are naturally better at sport, think of those who seem to have a greater grasp of the English language.

Some people pick up concepts faster than others.
DarkPlasmaBall
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States46449 Posts
June 19 2012 03:21 GMT
#4
My seventeen year old brother can beat me in SC2, and I'm working on my third math-related degree. I don't think mathematical and spatial reasoning are nearly as important as working your ass off and being extremely dedicated and motivated. He just plays a shitload more than me.

Also, you cited one example of a science/ math SC2 player. Another is Polt (biology iirc)... but iNcontroL was an English guy, and Nony is philosophy I think.

And no, you didn't just blow my fucking mind.
"There is nothing more satisfying than looking at a crowd of people and helping them get what I love." ~Day[9] Daily #100
yeastiality
Profile Joined April 2011
Canada374 Posts
June 19 2012 03:22 GMT
#5
I understand a lot of this game by computer science/engineering concepts I learned in school, and I've been stuck in diamond unable to get less awful for years. Go figure!
Premier
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States503 Posts
June 19 2012 03:27 GMT
#6
People have talent for things, other people dont have those talents. Look at Lebron James or Kevin Durant, what makes them different from the million other kids who wanted to go to the NBA... well for starters Lebron won the genetic lottery but overall theyre just talented, thats it.
Picture Me Rollin' - DJ Premier, Titan of the Tables
Zenbrez
Profile Joined June 2012
Canada5973 Posts
June 19 2012 03:30 GMT
#7
I don't like when people over think things. Jimi Hendrix didn't become one of the best guitar players of all time because he was born with the talent to make him the best. He became the best because of the hundreds of thousand hours of practice and dedication.
Refer to my post.
destian
Profile Joined August 2010
141 Posts
June 19 2012 03:31 GMT
#8
some people have a talent for things, on the other hand, you have the entire teamliquid team.
Yoshi Kirishima
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States10382 Posts
June 19 2012 03:41 GMT
#9
people are affected by their genes and the environments in which they have grown up in and continue to grow in

thus people have different abilities to excel in SC2 in varying degrees of success in different kinds of ways
Mid-master streaming MECH ONLY + commentary www.twitch.tv/yoshikirishima +++ "If all-in fails, all-in again."
andeh
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States904 Posts
June 19 2012 03:44 GMT
#10
If you read one of the newer interviews with bisu and fantasy, they themselves say they are so good at bw because the put in the time and dedication, not because of their cognitive aptitude or whatever.
psychotics
Profile Joined July 2011
United States184 Posts
June 19 2012 03:45 GMT
#11
this is an interesting proposal but i think like all other professional athletes what it really comes down to is a natural aptitude for a key skill (lets say multitasking) and then a passion for something that supercedes all normal peoples love for the game. these pros would not risk thier futures for something if they didnt love they game that is by far the most important commonality between all pros playing SC2 (or any sport/eSport) is incredible love and passion for the game
kc
Profile Joined August 2006
Canada212 Posts
June 19 2012 03:50 GMT
#12
On June 19 2012 12:45 psychotics wrote:
this is an interesting proposal but i think like all other professional athletes what it really comes down to is a natural aptitude for a key skill (lets say multitasking) and then a passion for something that supercedes all normal peoples love for the game. these pros would not risk thier futures for something if they didnt love they game that is by far the most important commonality between all pros playing SC2 (or any sport/eSport) is incredible love and passion for the game

100 % accurate
Najda
Profile Joined June 2010
United States3765 Posts
June 19 2012 03:50 GMT
#13
I think it's less about who is naturally better than another and more about who knows how to learn and how to constantly improve.
kamkerx
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
United States264 Posts
June 19 2012 04:02 GMT
#14
its how hard you work period. instead of theorey crafting life just ask any of them besides lastshaddow and they will say hours and hours make a good player
TelecoM
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
United States10847 Posts
June 19 2012 04:05 GMT
#15
Actually I think the reason IdrA is so good at SC2 is because he was so good at BW, but thats just me I guess. Maybe a lot of SC2 players don't know the trials and tribulations of what IdrA went through when he was playing BW. I think that had a much larger effect on his game play than what he was studying, although i'm sure that had an effect on it as well.
AKA: TelecoM[WHITE] Protoss fighting
StreetWise
Profile Joined January 2010
United States594 Posts
June 19 2012 04:06 GMT
#16
Think of everyone like cups. Some are big and some are small. Think of practice like putting water in the cup. If you practice more you will fill your cup more. But there comes a point where if a big cup and small cup were to practice the same, the big cup would keep filling up and the little cup would hit its peak and overflow. People don't like to admit it, but there are people who are inherently better than them and no amount of practice will make up for it. You could still get more water in your cup that someone with a big cup, but thats because you spent more time than them. Thats what confuses people when it comes to being good.
I will not be poisoned by your bitterness
InfernoStarcraft
Profile Joined May 2011
Australia136 Posts
June 19 2012 04:09 GMT
#17
the in game economy isn't exactly tangible :/
I like Hello Panda's
LavendrGooms
Profile Joined May 2011
United States134 Posts
June 19 2012 04:12 GMT
#18
There are definitely Pros that are naturally better at certain things. But I don't think that really crosses over into the example you gave.

And IdrA is good as macro because he's been playing the game so damn long.
www.twitch.tv/lavendrgooms
Alchemind
Profile Joined November 2010
Albania142 Posts
June 19 2012 04:14 GMT
#19
On June 19 2012 13:09 InfernoStarcraft wrote:
the in game economy isn't exactly tangible :/




... What? lol! Whatever you say.
You are a fucking choir boy compared to me!!!! A choir boy!!!!
cydial
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States750 Posts
June 19 2012 04:15 GMT
#20
Just look at the UC Berkley student that was at the last MLG, he gets good grades at an Ivy League school and made it pretty damn far in the open bracket for someone that's only been competitively (1 month of training) for a short time.
1 2 3 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Monday Night Weeklies
16:00
#64
RotterdaM731
TKL 294
TaKeTV 282
IndyStarCraft 207
SteadfastSC115
BRAT_OK 83
ZombieGrub1
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RotterdaM 731
ByuN 333
TKL 294
IndyStarCraft 207
ProTech140
SteadfastSC 115
BRAT_OK 83
UpATreeSC 72
SHIN 48
MindelVK 19
EnDerr 1
ZombieGrub1
StarCraft: Brood War
Bisu 1904
Shuttle 748
ggaemo 379
Stork 334
Dewaltoss 201
Barracks 183
Larva 157
Hyun 101
firebathero 92
BeSt 91
[ Show more ]
Sharp 71
Mong 43
Shinee 38
Trap 20
Terrorterran 19
910 18
scan(afreeca) 18
ToSsGirL 17
yabsab 12
IntoTheRainbow 8
Dota 2
qojqva2230
Counter-Strike
x6flipin950
fl0m511
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu430
Other Games
Liquid`RaSZi2429
FrodaN1059
B2W.Neo680
Beastyqt629
ceh9465
Liquid`VortiX174
ArmadaUGS124
QueenE90
KnowMe73
C9.Mang068
Trikslyr61
Mew2King49
Chillindude10
Rex9
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream9065
PGL Dota 2 - Secondary Stream2839
Other Games
BasetradeTV45
[ Show 18 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• mYiSmile126
• StrangeGG 17
• intothetv
• Kozan
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Migwel
• IndyKCrew
StarCraft: Brood War
• Azhi_Dahaki9
• Michael_bg 6
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 5195
• masondota2908
League of Legends
• Nemesis2095
• TFBlade894
Other Games
• imaqtpie646
• Shiphtur244
Upcoming Events
Sparkling Tuna Cup
16h 14m
Afreeca Starleague
16h 14m
Light vs EffOrt
OSC
18h 14m
PiGosaur Cup
1d 6h
Kung Fu Cup
1d 17h
The PondCast
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Korean StarCraft League
4 days
CranKy Ducklings
4 days
GSL
5 days
[ Show More ]
Yamato Cup
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Afreeca Starleague
6 days
WardiTV Weekly
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Super Anchor Qualifying S3
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Big Dog Cup 2026 Div 1

Ongoing

ASL Season 22
CSL 2026 AUTUMN (S22)
Acropolis #5
Acropolis #5 - GSA
Calamity Invitational
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026

Upcoming

Acropolis #5 - GSB
Acropolis #5 - GSC
BSL Season 23
SC4ALL II: Brood War
BSL 23: Non-Korean Championship
HSC XXX
Stellar Fest 2: Lunar Cup
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
Copium Cup
PGL Major Singapore 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 6
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
IEM Beijing 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 5
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
1win Private Club #2
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #1
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.