• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 20:27
CEST 02:27
KST 09:27
  • 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
ByuL, and the Limitations of Standard Play1Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners7Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection7Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview8
Community News
[TLMC] Summer 2026 Ladder Map Rotation05.0.16 patch for SC2 goes live (8 worker start)83ZeroSpace at Steam NextFest - Last free demo37Weekly Cups (June 8-14): Clem and Solar double, PTR tested0RSL: S6 Finals played at BlizzCon 202611
StarCraft 2
General
5.0.16 patch for SC2 goes live (8 worker start) The Death of Cheese: From a Professional Cheeser Is the larve respawn broken? Old Replays From 1.4.6 The future of the SC game model
Tourneys
Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule ! Douyu Cup 2026: $20,000 Legends Event (June 26-28) RSL Revival: Season 6 - Qualifiers and Main Event INu's Battles#17 <BO.9> Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
New Map Maker - Looking for Advice - Love or Hate Work In Progress Melee Maps [D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3
External Content
Mutation # 532 Nuclear Family The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 531 Experimental Artillery Mutation # 530 One For All
Brood War
General
ASL 22 Proposed Map Pool ProGamer Paychecks Story Data needed Best thing happen to StarCraft since Remastered? BW General Discussion
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL21] Grand Finals The Casual Games of the Week Thread [BSL22] GosuLeague Casts - Tue & Thu 22:00 CEST
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Creating a full chart of Zerg builds Relatively freeroll strategies Why doesn't anyone use restoration?
Other Games
General Games
ZeroSpace at Steam NextFest - Last free demo Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Beyond All Reason
Dota 2
Looking for a Dota Mentor 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
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread The Games Industry And ATVI Canadian Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
The HerO Fan Club! The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! Series you have seen recently... [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [TV/BOOK] *SPOILERS* Game of Thrones Discussion
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion McBoner: A hockey love story TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Cricket [SPORT]
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Listen To The Coaches!
TrAiDoS
An Exploration of th…
waywardstrategy
I'm an arrogant trash talke…
FlaShFTW
Gauntlet SC2: A Retrospectiv…
Ctone23
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 13492 users

explain some of these terms

Forum Index > Brood War Strategy
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
gg_hertzz
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
2152 Posts
October 31 2008 06:04 GMT
#1
some people like to make a distinction between strategy and tactics. i guess strategy has to do with what you're trying to achieve overall with regards to how you want to achieve victory while tactics are specific actions you take to achieve that goal. Or are there other explanations?

and what about mechanics versus conttrol? what's the difference? are there any?

Explain some of these terms:

Strategy

Tactics

Mechanics

Build Order

Control
Leath
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
Canada1724 Posts
October 31 2008 06:20 GMT
#2
My opinion (subjective):

Strategy: It is the procedure of planning your military forces disposal. A good strategy will involve analyzing the strengths and weakness of both the map and opponent, and plan the necessary steps to use them to your advantage.

Tactics: I have always taken for granted as a synonym of strategy. But if anyone is using the two terms distinctively, Id guess Tactics would have been used to describe the steps being taken and making your strategy plans come to life, perhaps adapting? I really dont know.

Mechanics: In Starcraft there are a series of repetitive actions you need to do. I would say mechanics refer to how accurate and precise you can perform these series of actions.

Build Order: This must be the most straight forward one. It has to be the sequence on which you choose to build your structures and units.

Control: I think control is closely related to micro. Just like I think macro and timing are closely related. Just being able to spend your resources well doesnt necessarily means your macro is good, you need to be able to know how to manipulate it so that your army comes at the right time to fulfill your plan of action. Control is a bit like micro, but I think it is more related to unit formation, hotkeying, and manipulating your army as a big chunk; Whereas micro is more related to unit control.
http://www.kongregate.com/?referrer=Sagess
Boblion
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
France8043 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-10-31 06:27:27
October 31 2008 06:25 GMT
#3
Strategy: going Fe every game

Tactics : flanking + 1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a

Mechanics: 1z2z3z4d5d6d7d8d9d

Build Order: Fe

Control:1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a + 300apm

Just wanted to say that starcraft isnt a strategy game for at least 8 years and mechanics > brain nowadays.
fuck all those elitists brb watching streams of elite players.
onihunter
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
United States515 Posts
October 31 2008 06:25 GMT
#4
I would say the difference between strategy and tactics is strategy involves your overall game-plan, ie go for slow drop lurkers or something. Tactics is your on the spot actions to achieve your strategy, like burrowing ur lurkers in strategical locations. Another example is flanking.
jaedong forever~
Conquest101
Profile Blog Joined February 2007
United States1395 Posts
October 31 2008 06:25 GMT
#5
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=36778 <- Strategy vs Tactics?

Build Order / BO - The order and timing at which buildings are made at the start of the game.

Mechanics is easy
Control = Micro?
PH
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6173 Posts
October 31 2008 06:28 GMT
#6
On October 31 2008 15:04 gg_hertzz wrote:
some people like to make a distinction between strategy and tactics. i guess strategy has to do with what you're trying to achieve overall with regards to how you want to achieve victory while tactics are specific actions you take to achieve that goal. Or are there other explanations?

and what about mechanics versus conttrol? what's the difference? are there any?

Explain some of these terms:

Strategy

Tactics

Mechanics

Build Order

Control

In terms of BW...

Strategy: Your overall plan for the game...like what your BO will lead to, and what your overall play style will be for that game, whether it be macro-oriented, all-in, aggressive, what have you. Game and timing sense is often included here too.

Tactics: I've never really used this term in terms of SC before, so I'll just leave it at that.

Mechanics: The aspect of the game distinct from strategy. This is the actual execution of whatever you're going to do. APM is often used as a measure of mechanical ability, but is not the end-all. Things like executing a BO, the quality of your micro, your macro, etc is included.

Build Order: The order you build stuff in...in the early game, this often even includes the number of units you should specifically have, and when you put workers on and off gas, etc. BOs are important for optimizing the timing of your strategies and whatnot.

Control: Micro...your control over your units.
Hello
BlackStar
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
Netherlands3029 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-10-31 06:55:15
October 31 2008 06:37 GMT
#7
Strategy: Large scale decision making regarding mind games, economics, timings, countering BOs, when and where to fight

Tactics: Descision making regarding individual battles

BO: Order in which you build stuff

Mechanics: Overall execution skill

Control: The ability to have your units in the right place at the right time doing the right thing
Artosis *
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
United States2140 Posts
October 31 2008 06:48 GMT
#8

Strategy - the general game plan used.

Tactics - tactics can get confused with strategy, but its something a bit different. if you mix strategy, micro, and style into one thing, i would call that tactics i guess. for instance, you may have 12 vultures and 4 tanks vs protoss, and attack at his goons. i on the other hand, will run my vultures around the goons and lay mines behind them while they retreat from my tanks. this is tactics.

Mechanics - mechanics are what you call macro, but it can also somewhat refer to micro. sadly, "mechanic" can also refer to tanks + vultures + gols, but normally we just call that "mech".

Build Order - the actual order and timing of how you build things. often this gets interchanged with strategy.

Control - control is simply micro. its how you click around with a unit to make it effective.
Commentatorhttp://twitter.com/Artosis
Misrah
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States1695 Posts
October 31 2008 06:52 GMT
#9
On October 31 2008 15:04 gg_hertzz wrote:
some people like to make a distinction between strategy and tactics. i guess strategy has to do with what you're trying to achieve overall with regards to how you want to achieve victory while tactics are specific actions you take to achieve that goal. Or are there other explanations?

and what about mechanics versus conttrol? what's the difference? are there any?

Explain some of these terms:

Strategy

Tactics

Mechanics

Build Order

Control


Strategy: Your specific art of war if you will. Mine is- never engage an opponent until your victory is already guaranteed. Strategy in SCBW varies from person to person. It is the culmination of your experience, skill and play style. That is your strategy, your grand scheme.

Tactics: The use of tactics helps to fulfill your strategy. Tactics can be applicable to anything that will help further your goal in the short term realm or strategy. Ie. If you take this expo now, your economy will increase, which in turn will help your strategy of creating a superior army. Or Flanking the enemy to increase your chance of defeating his force. Once again helping to fulfill your overall strategy.

Mechanics: How well can you physically manipulate your given tools to help create tactics, and thus perform a strategy? Ie. Macro-micro

Build Order: The plan by which you base your tactics. The Bo in SCBW is your strategy written on paper. Or written in your mind. The build order is the strategy through which your mechanics are used to create tactics which fulfill your strategic goals.

Control: Eliminating random and inhibiting factors is control. Controlling your mind- to allow it to think clearly. Controlling your army to fight effectively. Controlling your economy to produce efficiently. That is control.


Ok hope that helps?
A thread vaguely bashing SC2? SWARM ON, LOW POST COUNT BRETHREN! DEFEND THE GLORIOUS GAME THAT IS OUR LIVELIHOOD
Ozarugold
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
2716 Posts
October 31 2008 07:08 GMT
#10
Strategy- Savior
Tactics- Strategy with Defilers.
Mechanics- Jaedong
Build Order- The order of buildings built?
Control- Boxer
this is my quote.
Biff The Understudy
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
France8116 Posts
October 31 2008 11:19 GMT
#11
On October 31 2008 15:25 Boblion wrote:
Strategy: going Fe every game

Tactics : flanking + 1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a

Mechanics: 1z2z3z4d5d6d7d8d9d

Build Order: Fe

Control:1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a + 300apm

Just wanted to say that starcraft isnt a strategy game for at least 8 years and mechanics > brain nowadays.

I don't really agree.

Starcraft would be really uninteresting if it was the case.
The fellow who is out to burn things up is the counterpart of the fool who thinks he can save the world. The world needs neither to be burned up nor to be saved. The world is, we are. Transients, if we buck it; here to stay if we accept it. ~H.Miller
LosingID8
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
CA10832 Posts
October 31 2008 11:25 GMT
#12
control is the korean term for micro.
ModeratorResident K-POP Elitist
mahnini
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
United States6862 Posts
October 31 2008 11:34 GMT
#13
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=68523

selfplug ignore everything but OP kthx
the world's a playground. you know that when you're a kid, but somewhere along the way everyone forgets it.
SnowFantasy
Profile Blog Joined September 2006
4173 Posts
October 31 2008 12:28 GMT
#14
I've liked to think of strategy as what you do and tactics are what you use to do it. :o

This might be wrong but I like the way it sounds.
SilverSkyLark
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
Philippines8437 Posts
October 31 2008 12:34 GMT
#15
^^
Happy Birthday
"If i lost an arm, I would play w3." -IntoTheWow || "Member of Hyuk Hyuk Hyuk cafe. He's the next Jaedong, baby!"
CharlieMurphy
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
United States22895 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-10-31 21:48:19
October 31 2008 21:46 GMT
#16
Strat = overall build order, mind set for how you want to play the game or matchup. (macro)

Tactics = How you control the units in your strat. Timing drops, flanks, etc.(micro)

Mechanics = Overall macro, how well you place buildings, know maps, know your own finger dexterity etc. (macro)

Build order = Something that you have preplanned or practiced usually a major part of your strategy. (macro)

Control = Imo, this is just another word for Micro, or it can mean unit count in a game, or it can mean how you play the game aggressively, defensively, passively, etc. (depending on what meaning you are talking about Micro, Game Stat, Mentality/Intuition?)


As you can see these terms overlap and interchange pretty easily. It just depends on context.
..and then I would, ya know, check em'. (Aka SpoR)
TheFoReveRwaR
Profile Blog Joined May 2006
United States10657 Posts
October 31 2008 22:06 GMT
#17
On October 31 2008 15:25 Boblion wrote:
Strategy: going Fe every game

Tactics : flanking + 1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a

Mechanics: 1z2z3z4d5d6d7d8d9d

Build Order: Fe

Control:1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a + 300apm

Just wanted to say that starcraft isnt a strategy game for at least 8 years and mechanics > brain nowadays.

So wrong.

What happens when players are equal or close to euqal in mechanics? Oh shit your point just got owned didn't it?

Beyond that there are many times at all levels of play where a player will make up an excellent build and with weaker mechanics, will beat a better player. Download a random selection of replays and you will see it for yourself.

I would know. My apm is not that high(150ish) but I can still compete with players with a lot better mechanics than myself.

Play Kwark sometime. He has extremely low apm but he is a very good protoss because hes smart and knows how to play it.
Being healthy, it has been said, really consists of having the same disease as everybody else.
Racenilatr
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
United States2756 Posts
October 31 2008 22:47 GMT
#18
Mechanics is knowing the basics of starcraft and control is something else....like controlling your army like casting proper storms while mechanics is stuff like macro methinks
dekuschrub
Profile Joined May 2008
United States2069 Posts
November 01 2008 00:51 GMT
#19
i always thought mechanics had a big element of econ management. Such as never missing a probe, transferring perfect numbers of probes at the perfect time, putting up your production facilities at the time when they maximize your econ. It also has to do with execution of your BO properly. Most of the macro monsters on the pro scene are able to do so due to their superior mechanics (i.e. Flash, Best, Stork, Forgg I think).

Also I think mechanics have an element that if you have really good mechanics you can alter the timings of your BO to better adapt to your opponent while still managing a beastly economy or something like that. My mechanics are horrid but i'm sure pros can do shit like that.
Racenilatr
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
United States2756 Posts
November 01 2008 01:00 GMT
#20
ya you nailed what mechanics are right on the spot
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 1h 33m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
SpeCial 200
ProTech134
Ketroc 41
StarCraft: Brood War
GuemChi 3027
Rain 2775
Artosis 586
NaDa 29
Purpose 8
Dota 2
NeuroSwarm175
League of Legends
Doublelift12888
JimRising 256
Super Smash Bros
AZ_Axe222
Mew2King50
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor177
Other Games
summit1g17672
FrodaN2978
JuggernautJason1374
Maynarde342
UpATreeSC54
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick2152
BasetradeTV270
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• davetesta40
• RyuSc2 23
• mYiSmile11
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota2922
Other Games
• Shiphtur433
Upcoming Events
RSL Revival
1h 33m
WardiTV Weekly
10h 33m
RSL Revival
1d 9h
RSL Revival
1d 16h
Bombastic Starleague
1d 19h
Kung Fu Cup
2 days
OSC
2 days
CrankTV Team League
3 days
Bombastic Starleague
3 days
Replay Cast
3 days
[ Show More ]
The PondCast
4 days
HomeStory Cup
4 days
Replay Cast
4 days
HomeStory Cup
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
HomeStory Cup
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
Douyu Cup 2026
Heroes Pulsing #2

Ongoing

IPSL Spring 2026
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
YSL S3
CSL Season 21: Qualifier 2
SCTL 2026 Spring
Murky Cup 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026

Upcoming

CSL 2026 Summer (S21)
ASL Season 22:Wild Card Qualifier
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Revival: Season 6
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
HSC XXIX
BCC 2026
Light Tournament 2026
Eternal Conflict S2 Finale
Eternal Conflict S2 E1
Heroes Pulsing #3
FISSURE Playground #5
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 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.