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Recently, with patch 1.5 coming out, I have been introduced to a slew of new customs, and some customs which aren't as much new as they are simply neglected. Among these, I had a chance to revisit MacroMicro Mod which has had a sudden spike in players actively seeking games with the new patch. I didn't think much of it, I had only played it once or so before, but upon revisiting it, I have realized the potential of this mod is amazing.
For those who have never played, MacroMicro Mod is basically what you would infer it to be from the title - one person does all the macro work and another player controls the units and focuses on micro. The result is a much more precise macro game and build orders in the hands of even a moderatley skilled player preforming the role of Macro, and much cleaner execution of tactics and ability for multitasking for the person devoted for Micro.
The above should be obvious, as 2 brains should be able to effectively mechanically manage a game of Starcraft better than one, especially if they are around the same skill level and have good communication. But take a second and imagine if those particular brains weren't just average players...
Imagine the countless builds of MC macro'd to perfection with Grubby behind the wheel microing his heart out. Imagine DRG creating an army for Nestea's supercomputer brain to make the absolute perfect decisions with. Imagine oGsTOP making and endless stream of units for MKP stutter step and drop in multiple locations across the map.
You can obviously go on like this forever, as the possibilities are endless. You can even take it a step further; since there are already two brains acting as one player, why not add two more? Why not throw in a coach or something, to help coordinate all of the players efforts? These are all just random ideas, but really, imagine the possibilities and levels of play you could see with an endless supply of APM and the ability to have more than one person take a look at the situation and make a judgement call.
Now, lets go back a few paragraphs; what if you (the moderately skilled player in plat who likes to describe himself has high plat/low diamond) could play this on ladder? Why would this be any better than a 2v2 or a 1v1?
Personally, I don't play team games nearly as often as I play 1v1s. They are too unpredictable, and to play competitively you need to understand that the game changes completely when you combine two races. The timings are changed completely, and the harshness of an advantage is often magnified simply by the fact that two supplies worth of players either have it or don't. Unless you are at the highest level of 2v2 play you generally just pick something and run with it, because who really knows when that 1-1-1 roach-baneling-ling bust is coming, or how that even plays out when it reaches your bases?
My point is the game is balanced substantially more around the 1v1 format, and it's something we can all feel quite a bit more familiar with. The part I like about this idea the most, is that should you be particularly unfamiliar with a build, there is always someone else who can do it well. Through actually playing (a build you wouldn't play otherwise, wouldn't know how to, ect) it you can see what is strong or weak about it, played out in an ideal scenario (ideal because everything is played out to its potential, the amount and timings of the units provided for you, and your complete attention being able to be given to said units). This ends up teaching you a bit more what a build is capable of doing in good hands, and can also be a great way to to get your feet wet with stuff you would never try in your 1v1 ladder matches. This also provides a really really awesome way for those forever-bronze types to actually enjoy playing a competitive game, and practicing each half of the spectrum with a lot more finesse and added insight.
Over all, you really have to play the mod to really enjoy the concept, and the link again is provided at the top of this OP.
I would love any feedback on this idea of this as a competitive format and ladder option, as I can't really see an argument against it
Poll: Would you watch professionals play this mod?No (110) 59% Yes (75) 41% 185 total votes Your vote: Would you watch professionals play this mod? (Vote): Yes (Vote): No
Poll: Would you play this mod on ladder?No (109) 70% Yes (46) 30% 155 total votes Your vote: Would you play this mod on ladder? (Vote): Yes (Vote): No
Also, disclaimer: Not bashing on 2v2, personally I think this is better, but I know everyone has there own tastes and opinions.
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i think there is a cap if one player does only macro, only macro is not that hard, a player like MC would just be bored.. i mean at one point in the game you do nothing then warping in every 40 secons or so...
which leads to the player who micros, there is potential for unlimited improvment.. so basically it would center around the player who micros.. which then again would be a 1v1..
dont understand me wrong, great mod, much fun no doubt.. but competitive? at high level? i dont see it.
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This game was a blast both in BW and in SC2. I was almost never able to play it due to it being on page ~5 pre patch 1.5 but now I can get a game. It's great for practice as well.
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Where is the tldr version.
User was warned for this post
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I played one game with 3 friends. I had the two lower level players macroing and the better ones microing trying to improve their macro while having fun. The thing is, to enjoy the mod to the fullest you have to play with players who have around your skill level or you'll either die because your macroing player do not build enough stuff or your microing player is not on top of the army. The mod is fun and can be usefull but i doubt it would be fun to play in a competitive format because you need to have friends you can speak with on voip AND at the same skill level as you. A good mod for fun and practice but not fit for competitive play IMHO.
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This is an awesome idea. Going to check it out.
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On August 12 2012 02:04 Allscorpion wrote: Where is the tldr version. In the title
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So basically its Team Melee from BW?
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was fun in bw is fun in sc2. And to the people who think the macro guy is bored. You will realise there is always something to do. You will be suprised how much you can do if you have the time and dont have to use your units.
Competitive format.... not really But with your friends a lot of fun!
On August 12 2012 02:15 Megaliskuu wrote: So basically its Team Melee from BW?
More like the famous bw map ... Macro/micro
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On August 12 2012 02:15 Megaliskuu wrote: So basically its Team Melee from BW? yeah :D as far as i understood this, u are just limited to macro or micro, which is in my opinion pretty lame :/
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On August 12 2012 02:03 phil.ipp wrote: i think there is a cap if one player does only macro, only macro is not that hard, a player like MC would just be bored.. i mean at one point in the game you do nothing then warping in every 40 seconds or so...
which leads to the player who micros, there is potential for unlimited improvement.. so basically it would center around the player who micros.. which then again would be a 1v1..
don't understand me wrong, great mod, much fun no doubt.. but competitive? at high level? i dont see it.
That's the thing though... Starcraft has always been a game of mentally-physical real time chess. The skill ceiling is limitless (have you ever seen the 2 insane zerg computers have a roach war?), and even when we see someone play what looks to be a perfect game, there ae always other things they could be doing to maximize the potential. Imagine every worker being stacked on minerals up to the 4th base and counted for perfect saturation, imagine 3 people microing a marine-baneling engagement, whilst a 4th is dropping in two places? Imagine rarely seeing a game lost because a player was too distracted to notice his stalkers being surrounded by lings carelessly?
Even if there was downtime for the Macro player, the cool part about this is that they can control units as well if they wish, perhaps focusing on defense or something. There is always a place to put APM, and that's the point of this idea.
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On August 12 2012 02:17 borlee wrote:Show nested quote +On August 12 2012 02:15 Megaliskuu wrote: So basically its Team Melee from BW? yeah :D as far as i understood this, u are just limited to macro or micro, which is in my opinion pretty lame :/
Yeah that sounds fucking awful for competitive play, the top payers can do both anyway.
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its the funnest game im always up for playing it lol
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Competetive...lol
The map is awesome to play with friends though, played it a lot before but moved on to Hive Keeper (sc2 adaptation of Dungeon Keeper 2, really awesome except its in beta).
/internet hipster end
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On August 12 2012 02:18 Megaliskuu wrote:Show nested quote +On August 12 2012 02:17 borlee wrote:On August 12 2012 02:15 Megaliskuu wrote: So basically its Team Melee from BW? yeah :D as far as i understood this, u are just limited to macro or micro, which is in my opinion pretty lame :/ Yeah that sounds fucking awful for competitive play, the top payers can do both anyway.
You are telling me the top players do everything perfect, never loose units needlessly and always control engagements flawlessly? Please, I would love a link to the VODs of these perfect games of Starcraft that I have apparently been missing.
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always looked for it, should be pretty funny tho .. hopefullyit is like the BroodWar one ...
Anyways, that makes it much easier than
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Add a poll that says "Would you watch professionals play this mod" either for fun or competitively.
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On August 12 2012 02:24 Krayze wrote: Add a poll that says "Would you watch professionals play this mod" either for fun or competitively.
Good Idea! Done.
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Would love to see this. I think this could be the new 2v2 for teamleagues, since 2v2 in SC2 is, put bluntly, a piece of shit.
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The problem is the game would need an entirely different balance. I've played this quite a bit and the challenges of working as a team affects races disproportionately.
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