So you've found a practice partner... now what?

Jhax

Ok so up until recently I've been under this impression that just massing games is the right way to improve, but now I realise that's not the case. I'm making this thread because there are always lots of threads being made on how to improve. Don't get me wrong, there are many different ways to improve and different methods work for different people but this is how to improve when you've got a practice partner or doing practice games.

Step 1: Set some goals for the practice sesson. You can't just start playing with somebody and not have a strategy planned. An example goal would be: I'm having trouble with muta/ling in PvZ, so I'm going to do my 3 gate expo and ask my partner to go aggressive muta/ling and I'll try to figure out a way to handle it better.

Step 2: Play the first game. If your trying something knew then you will most likely lose the first game which is good. Losing is the best way of learning. Look at the replay and try to figure out what went wrong in the game. First things to look out for are your mineral count and your army composition. If that's all good, maybe your tech was wrong, or your build is just a little too slow. The best part about having a partner is you can ask them what they thought of the game. What do they think caused them to win the game, was it easy for them, hard for them etc...

Step 3: Discuss for a while, ask some other players for their ideas and what they do in that situation. Check out the timings for the spire to see what time it goes up at (If your not playing at a high platinum+ level this might not be worth it). Get all the information you can about builds and tech that counters muta ling

Step 4: Play another game. Now this time you have know what you have to scout for if the zerg is going muta/ling which is in fact unprovoked spine crawlers. You've got the time on the clock in your head by when you want your cannons up and your blink finished for your stalkers. You know exactly how your gonna follow up once you defend the first big attack. From here it's all about your mechanics.

Step 5: Hit the ladder, it's time to play some zergs who you know might now go muta/ling. This might take a while to find but all the games that aren't zerg just use them to practice your mechanics.

I hope this short little guide helps. It's what I've been trying lately and it seems to be working. Don't try and do 5 strategies a week, one for each race is sufficent for one week. If anyone has any extra they want to add in please feel free, or if you wanna play me I'm a former diamond now platinum toss add me: Jhax.478

Good Luck!

UnholyGregor

Customs are far better for practicing imo, after a while, ladder becomes so repetetive. Mass laddering is good for mechanics etc, but i thibnk its much more beneficial to get an equally skilled firend to train with, so you can do specific things, and discuss after the game. At least this way you can be sure you're playing against a legitimately good player, and not just another cheesey ladder superstar.

IRL_Sinister

Jhax wrote: »

Ok so up until recently I've been under this impression that just massing games is the right way to improve, but now I realise that's not the case. I'm making this thread because there are always lots of threads being made on how to improve. Don't get me wrong, there are many different ways to improve and different methods work for different people but this is how to improve when you've got a practice partner or doing practice games.

Step 1: Set some goals for the practice sesson. You can't just start playing with somebody and not have a strategy planned. An example goal would be: I'm having trouble with muta/ling in PvZ, so I'm going to do my 3 gate expo and ask my partner to go aggressive muta/ling and I'll try to figure out a way to handle it better.

Step 2: Play the first game. If your trying something knew then you will most likely lose the first game which is good. Losing is the best way of learning. Look at the replay and try to figure out what went wrong in the game. First things to look out for are your mineral count and your army composition. If that's all good, maybe your tech was wrong, or your build is just a little too slow. The best part about having a partner is you can ask them what they thought of the game. What do they think caused them to win the game, was it easy for them, hard for them etc...

Step 3: Discuss for a while, ask some other players for their ideas and what they do in that situation. Check out the timings for the spire to see what time it goes up at (If your not playing at a high platinum+ level this might not be worth it). Get all the information you can about builds and tech that counters muta ling

Step 4: Play another game. Now this time you have know what you have to scout for if the zerg is going muta/ling which is in fact unprovoked spine crawlers. You've got the time on the clock in your head by when you want your cannons up and your blink finished for your stalkers. You know exactly how your gonna follow up once you defend the first big attack. From here it's all about your mechanics.

Step 5: Hit the ladder, it's time to play some zergs who you know might now go muta/ling. This might take a while to find but all the games that aren't zerg just use them to practice your mechanics.

I hope this short little guide helps. It's what I've been trying lately and it seems to be working. Don't try and do 5 strategies a week, one for each race is sufficent for one week. If anyone has any extra they want to add in please feel free, or if you wanna play me I'm a former diamond now platinum toss add me: Jhax.478

Good Luck!

While the advice is sound there are some flaws. Why practice if all you're going to do is ladder? Ladder is, well, ladder it means nothing. Before I left for Toronto I had pretty much every matchup absolutely sorted perfectly, etc. However, repetition and finding a practice partner is okay but you need to refine your style and put it into use. Ladder is useless for this. Competing in Tournaments is one way. Friendly Clan Wars is another. Most important you want to play against other players of a higher skill level to put your strategies to test etc. The best place for this is obviously competitive stuff online and offline but generally just playing other (better) players is the next step forward. Use IRC, TL and all the other resources available. Like I said, ladder is ladder but it's crap and means nothing. If you are going to make the effort to improve yourself to the level of practice partners you should put your skills to test on other things than ladder.

Other than that it's pretty sounds advice and well-argued.

UnholyGregor

IRL_Sinister wrote: »

I had pretty much every matchup absolutely sorted perfectly

of course you did, see you in the gsl