EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Zlzyd.jpg)
Playing Random in 1v1 & 2v2
Unknown to many, Random is the fourth race of Starcraft. The Random player plays against each race differently than he would have had he not randomed. Similarly, his opponent is forced to play differently against a Random player. The biggest disadvantage of playing Random is that you don't get to specialize in a race. You get one third the practice time per race. The biggest advantages of playing Random is that rarely will you encounter cheeze, you can play greedy, scout later, and your opponent is in the dark as to what tech you are going. At a high level, opponents rarely cheeze random players because there is always the chance you random the one race the cheeze doesn't work against. One interesting fact is that there is usually a lucky race to Random. One basing is more viable because your opponent has no idea what to expect. This can make games played more unusual and interesting.
I believe there are three ways to play Random. The first way would be to play greedy against an opponent who will most likely be playing safe. The second way would be to try to surprise your enemy with tech. The third way would be to cheeze your opponent because he has no idea what type of cheeze he may be facing. In summary, a Random player can "cheeze macro", "cheeze tech", or "cheeze rush". Which option you choose to do depends on the playstyle you anticipate your opponent adhering to. Perhaps at lower levels opponents will be playing safer. Cheezes may be less likely to work. Here it is better to "cheeze macro" or "cheeze tech". However, lower skilled players are much more likely to cheeze a Random player. The worst race to play Random against is Terran. Terran will always make a fast refinery, meaning they have the most options. The best race to play Random against is Protoss.
Random is better the further away the starting locations are from each other. Your opponent will be in the dark longer depending if he doesn't scout you until he scouts the third location. However, sometimes he will luck out and find you the first spot he scouts. Assuming you send a worker out to scout at 8 supply, I will use Python as an example to explain how long it takes to discover the Random player's race. If he finds you the first spot he scouts, it wil take 1.5 minutes. If he finds you the 2spot he scouts, it will take him two minutes. If he finds you the third spot he scouts, it will take him 2.5 minutes. When playing a Zerg, he may find you quickly with his Overlord.
A Random player forces all players into creative gameplay. This can make for interesting and different gameplay when compared to standard modern builds against racepickers. In a four player game 95% of the time, if all four players chose random, there will always be two of race "x", one of race "y" and one of race "z". For example, if you and your ally are both Zerg, you know your opponents will be T and P if all Randomed. In a 1v1, where both players Random, there is a 95% chance both players random different races.
When faced with a Random opponent, a player has in head that the majority of time, that being two-thirds of the time, he will probably face a Terran or Protoss opponent. Having said this, he will tend to skimp out on low tech units and go straight to units better suited for play against a Terran or Protoss. Random players are always at a disadvantage when there is a mirror matchup because they have less expertise. There is always the slight possibility your opponent makes the wrong units against your units, an example being bionic play against your mech play.
In the following text I will give possibilities of what a Random player could do when he Randoms each different race.
---In 1v1:
*Randomed Protoss versus Zerg
rProtoss can play greedy by fast expanding, since he knows Zerg likely will most likely skimp Zerglings vs a Random player. Also, the rProtoss can try to surprise his opponent with a one base tech build.
*Randomed Protoss versus Protoss
rProtoss can play greedy and forge expand. The enemy Protoss is likely to skimp out on Zealots opting instead for Dragoons. Your Photon Cannons will hold off his Dragoons. Other possibilites include 12 Nexus or the LML Build (10 gateway at mainbase, 12 forge at mainbase, and then expand). The latter may give you more flexibility in adjusting to your opponents playstyle. Protoss can "cheeze tech" to reavers or DT drops. Finally, you can also two gate against a Protoss who will most of the time 1gate against Random.
*Randomed Protoss versus Terran
Ability to "cheeze tech" to surprise enemy or to play greedy with less fear of being rushed. Pretty normal PvT. A surprise tech here might be a Dark Templar rush.
*Randomed Terran versus Protoss
Pretty normal TvP, but the Protoss picker may have played safe and two gated. Decent Protoss players often two gate against Random players because it is their best option against 3 races.
*Randomed Terran versus Terran
rT watches out for wraiths and Vultures(and spider mines). Terran can play greedier, because his opponent will often make the mistake of not making the Siege mode upgrade first against a Random opponent. The Terran picker sometimes opens mines first which makes them more prone to going Wraiths as well. You should watch out for both.
*Randomed Terran versus Zerg
Here surprise tech is very useful. You may try to catch your opponent off guard with a M&M sunken break, Wraiths, or dropship play. Your opponent can be punished for not expanding fast enough against a Terran opponent.
*Randomed Zerg versus Zerg
This is the luckiest race to random against a Zerg. The Zerg picker player plays assuming two-thirds of the time he will be facing a Terran or Protoss opponent. rZ normally 12 hatches or 9pools since his Zerg opponent often makes the mistake of playing overly safe or overly greedy. A build like 9hatch Zerglings might catch your opponent offguard as well. The Zerg picker often 11 pools. The Randomed Zerg might do a build like Overgas for fast Mutalisks to surprise his enemy with his tech. If the Zerg picker opted for Hydralisks his tech will be inferior when compared to Mutalisks.
*Randomed Zerg versus Terran
Zerg is the luckiest race to random against a Terran. You can play greedy knowing your opponent is skimping out on early game units.
*Randomed Zerg versus Protoss
The rZ player knows early game Zealots are unlikely, so he plays a macro heavy style. Because your opponent won't usually fast expand, hydra and ling busts are very effective here. The fact the Protoss picker will rarely fast expands makes for playing against an interesting one base play style.
---In 2v2:
*Randomed Zerg & Zerg versus Zerg & Zerg
The random Zerg has the benefit of not having to scout. You try to catch opposing team offguard with mass Zerglings. ZZ vs ZZ rarely makes it much past Zerglings. If your opponents made the mistake of fast expanding, it can easily cause them to lose.
*Randomed Zerg & Zerg versus Zerg & Protoss
Best Random you can get vs ZP. You can do whatever you want. From dual 9p, 1 mass 1 mutal, to 9p and 12hatch. P will fast scout and try to make fast stargate.
*Randomed Zerg & Zerg versus Zerg & Terran
9p mass Zerglings and 12h or 12h eco and mutal. The Zerg player on the opposing team likely will make his second hatchery slower, making him vulnerable.
*Randomed Protoss & Zerg versus Protoss & Zerg
Standard 9p 2gate. Enemy team might 1gate.
*Randomed Protoss & Zerg versus Terran & Zerg
9p lair. 5zeal cannon your ally ramp.
*Randomed Protoss & Zerg versus Zerg & Zerg
Zerglings and Mutalisks with Corsairs/Speedlots/Archons. Opposing team might make the mistake of not having one player fast expand. It is standard for a team with two Zergs to always have one Zerg fast expand in 2v2 when against a ZT or ZP team.
*Randomed Terran & Zerg versus Zerg & Zerg
Marines/Vessels and Zerglings/Mutalisks. Opposing team might make the mistake of not having one player fast expand. It is standard for a team with two Zergs to always have one Zerg fast expand in 2v2 when against a ZT or ZP team. If your team is Zerg/Randomed Terran vs Z/Z, if the Z/Z team doesn't fast expand, they are in trouble.
*Randomed Terran & Zerg versus Terran & Zerg
Standard 9p + T go mech. Other team may have gone slower mech or have gone bionic play which fails hard vs mech.
*Randomed Terran & Zerg versus Protoss & Zerg
Go Bionic or Mech depending on what you Scout. Opposing team might make mistake of going 2gate vs bionic play or 1gate vs 2fact push. 2gate is bad against bionic play because you don't get DTs and HT's as fast. 1gate is bad against 2fact push because you don't have enough Dragoons to fight the push.
unless they themselves are cheesing. 
