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Blogs \ Student of the Game
Smoochy @ 22nd February 2010 01:20 (Read 652 times).
There is an inherent challenge for any StarCraft player to perform at a competitive level after years of inactivity. When you’ve come from an era before actions per minute, when build orders were limited and done in every matchup, you find yourself a little overwhelmed by all the changes. This was my transition, and this is my story.

It was only months ago that I signed onto Battle.net for the first time in a long time (I wasn’t even remotely prepared for iccup), and my encounters with older and more experienced players went exactly as predicted. I lost, and I lost badly.

After joining a silly clan that had no requirements and members who hacked, I decided to separate myself from them and went back to my old account. In fact, I actually asked in a Battle.net channel if someone would help teach me the game. To my unbelievable luck, there was a player who offered me assistance in my journey to master the RTS we all love. In our first match he let me fumble with my macro, misclick time and time again, and produce 5 marines by the time he had carriers. It was ugly.



Despite this struggle, my new and patient trainer practiced with me game after game. We analyzed our replays and he told me advanced build orders. He demonstrated walling-in, reaver/shuttle micro, how to split probes, and really, how to win games. Slowly, I began to improve.

Though I was far better than when I first signed on, I still needed a leg up and guidance at an even more advanced level to be able to compete against other players. The American Zerg, iNcontroL, was recently publicized as offering lessons to players of any skill level. There was of course hesitation to do this, as he was charging (a small amount) of money, and I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be scammed. But I thought, what the heck, I’ll give it a try.

Let me just state that my participation with these lessons is completely subjective, and entirely based on my investment as a student. I cannot confirm that everyone would have such a positive experience, though I imagine they would. iNcontroL and I went over everything I thought I knew already, but truly didn’t. I may have known I needed to do such basic things as pump units, expand and keep my money low, but I didn’t understand how to master their execution.

A few lessons later, I was winning public games all the time. And perhaps what played to my pride the most is I won my first game against my original teacher and practice partner. I may still be a bit of a noob, but at least I’ve gained the ability to play with confidence and to actually win.



But things are changing, no one can deny that. The StarCraft 2 beta is upon us, with the actual retail release approaching fast. I would never be so bold as to say I have an advantage over better skilled StarCraft players, but I have indeed just experienced the relearning of what feels like a new game; and that’s what StarCraft 2 is and will be – a new game. We all must go through that transition again. We all must become new players. We all must become students of the game.

 


comments
8
#1 ReiKo 2 years ago
Nice one, good read. I tought it would be longer but it's quite interesting. I am glad I hoped you improve (if I did succed in it by little margin I hope ) and I am just waiting to you to hop into that StarCraft 2 BETA train.

Keep up the blogging .
4
#2 GooseBoy 2 years ago
Interesting to see that some people are actually adapting to a new era of SC. Its a new game, and its the future, and its the only way to go foward.
 

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