• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 03:40
CET 09:40
KST 17:40
  • 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
SC2 All-Star Invitational: Tournament Preview5RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview8RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2
Community News
Weekly Cups (Jan 12-18): herO, MaxPax, Solar win0BSL Season 2025 - Full Overview and Conclusion6Weekly Cups (Jan 5-11): Clem wins big offline, Trigger upsets4$21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7)16Weekly Cups (Dec 29-Jan 4): Protoss rolls, 2v2 returns7
StarCraft 2
General
PhD study /w SC2 - help with a survey! When will we find out if there are more tournament Weekly Cups (Jan 12-18): herO, MaxPax, Solar win I am looking for StarCraft 2 Beta Patch files Stellar Fest "01" Jersey Charity Auction
Tourneys
$70 Prize Pool Ladder Legends Academy Weekly Open! SC2 All-Star Invitational: Jan 17-18 Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament SC2 AI Tournament 2026 $21,000 Rongyi Cup Season 3 announced (Jan 22-Feb 7)
Strategy
Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 509 Doomsday Report Mutation # 508 Violent Night Mutation # 507 Well Trained Mutation # 506 Warp Zone
Brood War
General
[ASL21] Potential Map Candidates Gypsy to Korea Video Footage from 2005: The Birth of G2 in Spain BW General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL21] Non-Korean Championship - Starts Jan 10 Small VOD Thread 2.0 Azhi's Colosseum - Season 2
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2 Game Theory for Starcraft Current Meta
Other Games
General Games
Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Beyond All Reason Awesome Games Done Quick 2026!
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 Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread NASA and the Private Sector Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club! The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Navigating the Risks and Rew…
TrAiDoS
My 2025 Magic: The Gathering…
DARKING
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2256 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 States45223 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 States10366 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 States10688 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
Next event in 2h 20m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
WinterStarcraft484
SortOf 164
StarCraft: Brood War
GuemChi 788
Aegong 377
Hm[arnc] 278
Larva 274
firebathero 220
soO 104
Noble 91
Sharp 83
ajuk12(nOOB) 77
ToSsGirL 64
[ Show more ]
ZergMaN 54
Shuttle 48
GoRush 18
Sacsri 11
Bale 10
Mong 5
Dota 2
NeuroSwarm122
febbydoto96
League of Legends
JimRising 616
C9.Mang0476
Counter-Strike
shoxiejesuss528
allub195
Other Games
summit1g7196
ceh9309
XaKoH 158
Happy108
Organizations
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• LUISG 1
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Laughngamez YouTube
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• iopq 3
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV59
League of Legends
• Lourlo1557
• Stunt465
Upcoming Events
OSC
2h 20m
Shameless vs MaNa
Nicoract vs Percival
Krystianer vs TBD
Cure vs SHIN
PiGosaur Monday
16h 20m
The PondCast
1d 1h
OSC
1d 2h
Big Brain Bouts
3 days
Serral vs TBD
BSL 21
4 days
BSL 21
5 days
Wardi Open
6 days
Monday Night Weeklies
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

IPSL Winter 2025-26
SC2 All-Star Inv. 2025
NA Kuram Kup

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
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

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S1: W5
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
Rongyi Cup S3
Nations Cup 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
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.