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Active: 1267 users

[D] Ways to Practice Macro/Micro at Work

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
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1 2 3 Next All
simian_sc
Profile Joined August 2010
United States91 Posts
June 28 2012 15:05 GMT
#1
So if you have a boring desk job like I do, and are a competitive SC2 player who is always looking to practice and get better, I'm sure you've been in this same boat:

You've got all your work done for the day. You're dying to play some SC2 or at least practice and make good use of your time. But alas, the dingy laptop you use at work could in no way handle the game. Not to mention your boss coming around from time to time to make sure you're not slacking off. So what to do?

Well, for me I have found the best use of my time to be opening up notepad and spamming my macro cycle over and over again, until I can do it perfect. Even timing myself to see how few seconds I can do it in, so that when I'm in an intensive micro battle I can be on the lookout for a window where I can spare 2 seconds to run my macro cycle.

I will also sit there and practice seeing how fast I can click the tiny little stars of my Sci-Fi looking desktop background. Going from clicking in small areas to moving my mouse to the opposite end of the screen as fast and accurately as possible.

I'm sure you guys have done these types of things at some point. But I'm getting a bit sick of that same old desktop background and the bright white glare of notepad staring me in the face. So what other methods of practice do you use when you're at work or away from a computer that can run SC2? I'd love to get some new suggestions to mess around with.

TLDR: How do you practice your Macro/Micro when you are at work or away from a computer that can run SC2?
"I only speak two languages, english and bad english."
Sakagami
Profile Joined August 2011
United States56 Posts
June 28 2012 15:16 GMT
#2
Google Multi task game.
roym899
Profile Joined March 2011
Germany426 Posts
June 28 2012 15:21 GMT
#3
On June 29 2012 00:16 Sakagami wrote:
Google Multi task game.

To be honest that doesn't help you at all at SC2 imho.
ErrantMind
Profile Joined March 2012
United States63 Posts
June 28 2012 15:23 GMT
#4
minesweeper.
seriously.

try to beat easy as fast as you can, great for mouse accuracy and decision making. my best score is 14sec.
simian_sc
Profile Joined August 2010
United States91 Posts
June 28 2012 15:23 GMT
#5
I tried the Multitask game just now. It's not bad. I understand the principle behind that improving your multitasking ability. But it's a little off base as far as SC2 is concerned since you don't use those key combinations at all. Not bad though. Good suggestion!
"I only speak two languages, english and bad english."
simian_sc
Profile Joined August 2010
United States91 Posts
June 28 2012 15:24 GMT
#6
Lol. I will totally try Minesweeper, Errant.
"I only speak two languages, english and bad english."
Rinrun
Profile Joined April 2010
Canada3509 Posts
June 28 2012 15:25 GMT
#7
Google, "zerg rush". A nice little easter egg.
MBC/Liquid/TSM always.
Maxamix
Profile Joined January 2012
Canada165 Posts
June 28 2012 15:26 GMT
#8
Well i listen to streams and talk strategy and GSL with my boss.... yeah i know i'm lucky...

Else than that minesweeper is good, typing starcraft one handed adding the letters you use a lot (IE : starcraftvz for zerg)
simian_sc
Profile Joined August 2010
United States91 Posts
June 28 2012 15:35 GMT
#9
The Zerg Rush easter egg is always fun. And yeah max, I watch a lot of streams myself. I just usually do like 10-15 games against a very easy computer just practicing my build orders before I ladder or play tournaments or anything. I wish there was a way to play those at work so I could jump straight into laddering or tournaments when I got home, haha.
"I only speak two languages, english and bad english."
philipov
Profile Joined October 2010
United States81 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-06-28 17:26:50
June 28 2012 17:22 GMT
#10
I use the notepad -> macro cycle method. I find myself doing that even when I'm not at work. I think I enjoy spamming keys more than I actually enjoy playing starcraft now. I'm working on getting my "F3-F2-F1-Tab-Q-Q-4-2-1-Tab-Q-Q" pattern down to less than a second.
Any hive cluster that would trade a little economy to gain a little security deserves neither and will lose both
Frolossus
Profile Joined February 2010
United States4779 Posts
June 28 2012 17:27 GMT
#11
if the problem is simply that your comp can't handle sc2 at work then maybe bring in bw on a flash drive?
Flooz
Profile Joined April 2012
United States37 Posts
June 28 2012 17:56 GMT
#12
i usually do the clicking of the desktop background, making boxes and trying to be as accurate as possible. i like the notepad idea. i amdefinitely going to try it out
"There is nothing cooler than being proud of the things you love" - Day[9]
skycobra
Profile Joined December 2010
Canada14 Posts
June 28 2012 18:16 GMT
#13
Osu is a good game for mouse accuracy! But it is fairly obvious that you are playing a game.. I guess you could also try out those build order programs that are out there for seeing timings of builds..?
Awesome thread btw, i want more ideas too!!
<3 SaSe, grubby, MaNa
simian_sc
Profile Joined August 2010
United States91 Posts
June 28 2012 21:43 GMT
#14
On June 29 2012 02:27 Frolossus wrote:
if the problem is simply that your comp can't handle sc2 at work then maybe bring in bw on a flash drive?


o.O You can play BW off a flash drive? Or are you saying just install it?
"I only speak two languages, english and bad english."
simian_sc
Profile Joined August 2010
United States91 Posts
June 28 2012 21:48 GMT
#15
Great ideas, guys! Keep em comin!

What I would love to see is some sort of browser based/flash game that was a mock up of SC2 that would allow you to practice some simple things like splitting, timings, stutter stepping, macroing without getting supply blocked and keeping your money low. Basically like one of the custom trainers but not on StarCraft, lol.
"I only speak two languages, english and bad english."
TheZanthex
Profile Joined January 2012
United States144 Posts
June 28 2012 22:17 GMT
#16
On June 29 2012 06:43 simian_sc wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 29 2012 02:27 Frolossus wrote:
if the problem is simply that your comp can't handle sc2 at work then maybe bring in bw on a flash drive?


o.O You can play BW off a flash drive? Or are you saying just install it?


You can play it off a flash drive. I've done it before at my school. :D
IdrA fan for life, man. <3
Mavvie
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
Canada923 Posts
July 01 2012 02:56 GMT
#17
Hey! This topic intrigues me, so I plan on spending this weekend and week developing a (simple) 2D mockup of SC2, where you can practice macro mechanics (injects, constant production, supply blocks, etc) in various minigames. I may add some simple micro games, but adding the AI, models, and information for every unit would be a lot of work (herp derp that's why there's development teams). Either way, it will be a fun project, and I will post here when done/looking for feedback! Basically it's going to be SC2 with SC1 graphics, hopefully will be believable enough ^^
Getting back into sc2 O_o
uLaLuLaLume
Profile Joined May 2012
Canada75 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-07-01 21:33:17
July 01 2012 03:20 GMT
#18
Is the OP for real? Spamming macro cycle in Notepad/spam-clicking desktop background to increase apm/precision whilst at work? It never fails to astound me; how utterly, and pathetically desperate some people can be to get better at this game. Am I really the only person who laughed at this? There are far more efficacious, and far less pathetic methods of evoking the sort of improvement the OP so desperately desires. Stop taking the game so seriously, bro. And I would recommend a thorough re-evaluation of how (productively) you're spending your 'spare' time at work. When you're actually playing the game is the time for improvement.

User was banned for PBU/8 mod actions in 74 posts.
Ksquared
Profile Joined July 2011
United States1748 Posts
July 01 2012 03:34 GMT
#19
Its something to do while bored at work.
eSports for life.
CursOr
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States6335 Posts
July 01 2012 04:04 GMT
#20
My job itself is pretty good practice. Lots of multitasking and stress and computer work. I don't even get a spare second to do anything

But, I am considering getting a lap top to play some SC2 on my lunches! That would be a great way to get practice in.
CJ forever (-_-(-_-(-_-(-_-)-_-)-_-)-_-)
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