Back in April of this year, I fell in love playing Starcraft after watching countless hours of the game at MLG events. I was so excited when I paid $60 for the game and immediately got started on my 50 practice matches. However, even after those matches were done and complete, I was still a complete newbie, and was sadly, placed in Bronze, a place I thought I'd be stuck in forever
But yet, in June I would be promoted to Silver, and in August to Gold, and sadly here in Gold, I felt as though my skill had reached it's peak, as I was unable to make any progress on the ladder. I felt fine where I was at, but still desired to improve my playstyle, mechanics, and knowledge of the game.
Soon the ESWC USA online qualifiers came, I participated, and with my Gold newbie self, managed Top 12 on the qualifer, losing to IdrA and Axslav. I believe this tournament gave me the motivation to start laddering again and vastly improving my play. I would shortly be promoted into Platinum days later after ladder grinding, and today, on my placement match, managed to make it into Diamond.
I've been truly amazed at my performance. I know most higher level players will say, "Diamond isn't difficult to get into." But I believe the general consensus would be different from lower level players, it was a hard road. I come from a console based background where I play the MLG PCLs for Call of Duty 4. I've had no prior RTS experience going into Starcraft II with the exception of playing about ten Brood War matches, where I had no idea what I was even doing.
Everytime I've been promoted thus far in Starcraft II, I get that amazing feeling of accomplishment knowing that I've actually trained and worked hard enough, just to get that new shiny emblem, and now, being in Diamond, I actually feel like I'm in the upper echelon of ladder players.
So, with my new promotion I encourage all lower level players that you CAN improve if you set your mind to it! I practiced hard over the last month to get into Diamond and getting that relief feeling and feeling of accomplishment was amazing, so go for it and set that goal to your next rank on ladder! Work for it! I'm now going to work my *** off to get into Masters and when I do, I'm going to get that same feeling that I have everytime I've been promoted thus far!
Also now, I will be streaming as my application on Team Liquid was just accepted! You can find me here at : http://www.teamliquid.net/video/streams/Payson
I'm 17, a senior in high school looking into nursing school after this year. I'm currently an MLG Forum Moderator, former Semi-Pro for Call of Duty 4 (MLG), and caster for Machinima and GameOD TV for Call of Duty gameplay.
I hope you guys tune into the stream whenever you get the chance or feel like looking at someone's gameplay that has far glaring flaws in it than most pros!