The definition of a noob at RTS's.

Hey guys, well I have been playing FPS's possibly my whole gaming career and have yet to fully set foot into the RTS world. Sure I have played one or two games of Warcraft 3 and command and conquer but that is as far as my foot extends. Sadly, I haven't even played the original star craft yet.

The reason I am making this thread is to ask you guys some advice as to how someone like myself, with little RTS experience, should go about preparing for star craft 2 and become a good RTS player. I have competitively played in many FPS's but now I want to shift my attention to RTS's but I honestly have no idea how I should go about doing so.

Is there something I can do to prepare myself for Star Craft2? Or should I wait and jump into the game when it is released and learn through experience?

Thanks in advance.

 

Play the campaigns first. They will familiarize you with controlling the units, and getting a feel for the game. Then try the custom games vs the computer. Then try multiplayer.

RTS is more intelligent than many other games, as it requires you to think about what you're doing. But there is so much depth to these games that it can be mind boggling trying to work out what to do, even if you know what all the units strengths and weaknesses are.

Sometimes you can do what you think is right, and seconds later watching how it unfolds, and realizing that it was obviously the worst thing you could have done, and you kick yourself.

That happens a lot for me. I'm not very good at these games.

The best way to learn maybe just to try different things out. Be creative, but always remember why you chose to do what you do, and judge your choice by whether or not it ultimately helps you.

 

Welcome!

I played alot of SC1 although my good and bad days were random (usually being bad days), but like previously stated, when SC2 comes out I'm going to play the campaign to learn the feel of SC2 well before going online multiplayer and looking like a fool (just me myself, not saying you would look like one) because although it says Starcraft, this game looks much different and probably plays differently (well i dont want SC1 with better graphics )so im glad its different.

 

Welcome to the forums, Liric. I strongly encourage you to play SC1 until SC2 releases: not only will you appreciate the events depicted in SC2 more, you will also learn the ropes to RTSing. The Terran campaign from SC1 is a masterful as well as an enjoyable introduction to the genre.

 

RTS games are not more intelligent than other types of games. They are just different. And as such require a different set of skills to do well at compared to a FPS or any other game for example. But the only real way to get good at anything is to do it. And Starcraft would be a good RTS to practice on before Starcraft 2. For 2 reasons.

1. It has a simialr screen layout to SC2. So any basic skills learnt in SC can be transfered over to SC2.
2. Lore. As the story of SC2 is a continuation of the SC1 story. Playing SC1 a but till get you up to scratch on the story line in the Starcraft universe. So when things happen in SC2 you'll understand why they happen.

If Playing Starcraft is not an option then try some other game where you control many units of an army or something. In an FPS you only controll one unit. The one that holds the gun and kills the enemy. But in an RTS you at times are controlling a whole army of units that can be at all different places on a map at the same time. You probably already know this. I'm just pointing this out so I can say you need a little different thinking when approaching a RTS.

So in short:

1. Try to Play SC1. That will help you a lot. Best option.
2. If SC1 is not an option then another RTS would be good for the army controlling experience. Warcraft 2 or 3 are good options here with the kind of similar screen layout to SC2.
3. And if all else fails hit up youtube and watch as many youtube videos you can about SC2. So you know roughly what to expect. I'm sure SC2 will have a tutorial of sorts for the new players. But it never hears to have extra information.

 

get sc1 play through the campaign and then dabble in some maybe 2v2 bgh or something online or 3v3 to get use to the pace of the game and players. but definatly do the campaign its fun and good story behind it and it will set u up for the sc2 story as well.

the more u play the better u get and just learning the units is huge and what they can do and their limits.

there is a lot of thinking involved because you might build a base and army based on an expectation of a dark templar rush but he ends up massing dragoons or bringing carriers or mass scouts or just toss you a curve ball so u gotta be always thinking about what could hurt you right now. like its happened to me so many times where i was attacted early and i was terran and blocked my entrance and i forgot to build a turret and 2 dt's owned me

 

I would also recommend playing Command and Conquer Generals - Zero Hour. It is a good RTS game, with the Factions as different between each other as StarCraft.

 

Do the campaigns, and also watch some videos of good players playing Starcraft 2 at places like here or YouTube. Watching good players play can really help you. Also, get good at using hotkeys because you really need to be fast to be a good player.

 

To build upon what Zerrander said, watching people who are good at the game helps, but then finding someone who will explain WHY some things are happening is VERY beneficial to those of us who aren't great at the game. I can see that someone is building so and so unit right now, but I really can't fathom why.

www.gomtv.net has some pro matches on Starcraft 1 with the commentators being EXTREMELY good at casting along with explaining what is going on.

Also Day[9] Daily has a lot of good information, especially with StarCraft 2 matches.

 

As stated StarCraft 1 Campaign is your best bet to learn. Also command and conquer against comp . Also age of empires against comps.

 

1. Play SCBW campaign
2. Play CPUs
3. Play SC2 campaign
4. Play CPUs
5. Play Battle.net's Practice League
6. Get better
7. Once you understand the game, start watching VODs and replays.
7. ???
8. Profit

 

@DeckardLee

I assume that that's the summary of your future book's contents?

"How to Make Money By Playing RTS Games --A Guide, by DeckardLee"

I'll be the first to purchase it: my mediocrity as a player rivals my love for the game.

 

I didn't read everyone else post ahead of mine because I'm simply to lazy and hate reading. So if I'm repeating things just ignore me and I apologize.

I would suggest buying SC original and Brood War if not done so already. Play and beat both the campaigns without the cheats. If you need help read the guides that come with it. After you beat the campaign beat it again and again and create different strategies. And you can pretty much beat the campaign with problems then play online and start with 4v4, then 3v3, 2v2, 1v1. I did it this way so just in case I was in trouble I had team mates to help me out. So might say other wise and 1v1. As you play online pay attention your opponents as well as your team mates strategies and builds, how they play there structures. Form strategies and practice them and your builds against computers by yourself. Me personally when I do that I do 1v4. Continue to play on a regular basis and try not to take too long of a break from the game if you can help it. Basically just play, play, practice, play, and play. You'll get good at it. And don't be afraid to ask some random person (someone who might have beaten you) and ask them to teach you something and tricks. You need to learn how to micro and macro. Ask that someone to show you. And my most important concept is to constantly scout your opponent and keep pressuring them. If you do this you'll know what they're up to and how to counter them and if you pressure them they won't get the time to mass you. Well that's all I can think of for now. So good luck and welcome to the forums.

 

@ZealotInATuxedo: Yes, as the 7th highest ranked player in the world, I decided I should cash in on the trillions of hours I've spent with StarCraft.

 

You're really the 7th highest ranked player in the world?

 

Yes, you can stats me. I'm also richer than Bill Gates.

 

Okay I might believe the 7th highest rank part but not so much the richer than Bill Gates part.

 

Don't forget he's also Dustin Browder

 

Are you guys yanking my chain?

 

I am dead serious. Why would I joke about something like this?