Thinking of starting ICCup...

I was thinking of starting to play ICCup, but I'm wondering what the better approach is. I have a standard BO for each match-up: Should I practice each build in single player until I have it down pat first, or should I learn the mechanics while I learn what my opponents can do on ICCup? I've played a few dozen games with a friend, both of us using proper builds, but obviously I am far from decent.

Both seem like acceptable options, but I'd rather pick the better one.

EDIT: Also, I've heard of some sort of TL channel on ICCup: If anyone could tell me how to connect to that, that would be awesome.

Last edit: 2011-07-04 00:46:27

<@Wikt> so you are one of those nega-fans <@Wikt> that hates the company that makes a game and everything they stand for <@Wikt> but still plays the game <@Wikt> (like roughly 30% of blizzard's player base, maybe much more...)

oxidized United States. July 04 2011 01:29. Posts 311

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I'd practice a bit in single player first if you don't think you have your BO down. If you can't do it in single player, there is no way you'll be able to do it against a real opponent.

Once you have it down, play some iccup. You won't be able to execute it properly because of the pressure (real and imagined) from playing a real opponent. Being able to execute properly comes with experience and a good mindset.

You'll encounter some cheese or aggressive plays that you can't hold. Each time you come across that, make sure you figure out how you could try to stop it next time.

Teamliquid's iccup channel is "op teamliquid"

FlaShFTW United States. July 04 2011 01:40. Posts 4962

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i agree with oxidized. practice a bit in single player, but obviously, the comp will probably just all out rush you first, screw your timings and then you'll be frustrated that you need to start over. but regardless, practice in single player.

after that, play some BW on ICCup. obviously you'll probably lose your first couple of games, as it happens to the best of us. but you'll begin getting familiar with the game, maps, and strats as you improve. also, when you lose, think about what you could have done to maybe win that game.

finally, to join the TL channel, type in "/j op teamliquid" without the ". or, you can click channel on the home screen and type in "op teamliquid" without the ".

GL HF!!! btw, if you want to game me, im KT.FaTe[BSG] or KT.FaTe sometimes.

Never Surrender. Never GG. Always Fighting. BW4LYF. Woo Jung Ho Never Forget.

Salivanth Australia. July 04 2011 02:00. Posts 826

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Cheers! I should specify that I can execute these builds in the correct order, just not as quickly and crisply as one might expect. Isn't it possible to just play alone with no computer opponents in BW? If you can't, I'll just go straight to ICCup, I want to either practice my builds against no opponent at all, or against a good one.

Thanks Fate, I shall join the channel when I get onto ICCup and if you're on I shall hook you up, get you to slaughter me and then tell me why you did so if you're amenable

eeniebear United States. July 04 2011 02:24. Posts 184

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On July 04 2011 02:00 Salivanth wrote:
Cheers! I should specify that I can execute these builds in the correct order, just not as quickly and crisply as one might expect. Isn't it possible to just play alone with no computer opponents in BW? If you can't, I'll just go straight to ICCup, I want to either practice my builds against no opponent at all, or against a good one.

Thanks Fate, I shall join the channel when I get onto ICCup and if you're on I shall hook you up, get you to slaughter me and then tell me why you did so if you're amenable

To play with no opponent, make a game on iccup with a random password, set game type to "melee," set another player to "computer," start the game. But as soon as the countdown starts, close the computer's slot. This will let you play without an opponent.

Another option is to get better SCBW AI's. A lot of them use standard build orders, but don't really attack or control correctly. But they'll take bases in a typical order, and won't do the 12 zealot rush that the Blizzard AI does every time.

Dymond Canada. July 04 2011 02:41. Posts 132

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Just play shit ton of games on Iccup. The speed at which your opponent attacks you will force you to get faster, and everything. Getting destroyed is good for your game.

I think.

Salivanth Australia. July 04 2011 03:16. Posts 826

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Okay, new plan to incorporate the best of both worlds. I'll go to ICCup, and get destroyed. If I'm getting soundly beaten, I'll stay. If I'm getting absolutely MURDERED, I'll go back and practice my macro some more. Thanks for everyone's help!

One other question though: If you're unable to host games, how can you tell? Can you start a game, even if nobody can join it, or will you be stopped from trying to host one altogether?

Last edit: 2011-07-04 03:44:26

0mgVitaminE United States. July 04 2011 03:57. Posts 1244

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You can still make the game, but people won't be able to join. As for playing, take the "you won't win any of your first games" very seriously. I always heard this at first, but in the back of my head I still went after it expecting to play at about the same level as other games I had played. I was constantly worried about my rank, and because of that I never practiced enough to get very good. Just keep the mindset that your practice is for improvement, not rank, and you should do fine.

Hi there. I'm in a cave, how bout you?

Frigo Hungary. July 04 2011 05:39. Posts 980

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Play with only 1 build order for every match-up for a while. Watch the replay and reflect on your mistakes, and try to get things correctly the next time you play. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you can't figure something out. Sooner or later you will see the cracks in your play and you will be able to correct it.

http://www.fimfiction.net/user/Treasure_Chest

Hekisui July 04 2011 06:06. Posts 195

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If you are P or T, I can mentor you. I will help you set up your basic mechanics and hotkey habits and then go through solid BOs and how to execute them practically as well as how to deal with many cheeses.
PM me if interested. I think it will help a lot more than watching progamers or read up a BO on liquipedia.

Practice partners are often the best way to practice. You can play several games in a row with someone with a good skill level for practice games and discuss the games.

Just remember that at the lower ranks everyone levels out at winning 33%. If you win more than 33% your rank will raise and you will play tougher opponents. Only when you win below 33%, your ranking will drop and your opponents will get easier.

Salivanth Australia. July 04 2011 06:16. Posts 826

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Wow, that would be brilliant. Also great to hear about that 33% thing, else I'd be really confused! I've sent you a PM. Thanks a bunch! I shall have to work on finding some players as legendarily bad as I

NationInArms United States. July 04 2011 07:00. Posts 1534

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You should also read Ver's guide, it's very helpful:

http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=135766

Last edit: 2011-07-04 07:00:41

BW for life | Fantasy, MMA, SlayerS_Boxer | Taengoo! n_n | "Lelouch vi Britannia commands you! Obey me, subjects! OBEY ME, WORLD!" | <3 Emi

TheGlassface United States. July 04 2011 07:06. Posts 612

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If I'm on, or if you want to PM me to set up a time. I'm always game for matches.
D- Z and D(-) P

The mystery of life is not a problem to solve, but a reality to experience. **Hang in there STX fans!! Kal Hwaiting!**

pedrotrv Brazil. July 04 2011 09:00. Posts 91

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On July 04 2011 06:16 Salivanth wrote:
Wow, that would be brilliant. Also great to hear about that 33% thing, else I'd be really confused! I've sent you a PM. Thanks a bunch! I shall have to work on finding some players as legendarily bad as I

Just PM me (Trv on ICCup). If I had 33% i'd be really happy lol
Just go play, you will surely get destroyed, but in each game (and respective replay analysis) you will learn something you should not do. Make sure you get one build for each MU and always use them. Always always.

I'm about 7-30 right now. It's tough to compete with ppl that play this for years, but every will make you really happy.

woot.

tMorris Canada. July 04 2011 11:43. Posts 9

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Hey, if anyone wants to play add me on skype (tom.s.morris) and send me a message. I'm awful

MeteorRise Canada. July 04 2011 12:24. Posts 559

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Just be ready for despair and helplessness

Elegance, in all things.

Zyferous United States. July 04 2011 12:52. Posts 270

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If you want to play a game with no computers, what you do is go into a LAN game and set one computer as your opponent. Immediately after hitting start, you close that slot. A few seconds after starting, the game will declare you winner, and you have the option to "continue playing". This will allow you to practice undisturbed.

Also, I for one advocate actual experience versus human players over solitary practice. It is much more important for you to gather experience instead of drilling build orders that you may not even understand. Of course, it is important to at least know a few build orders, but there is no need to spend hours perfecting them.

Jaedong forever.

Salivanth Australia. July 04 2011 16:06. Posts 826

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Thanks for all the advice! I do have one standard, safe build for each MU that I intend to do exclusively, unless I get cheesed in which case I will adapt obv. I have also read Ver's guide. Great stuff!

Zyferous: Yeah, that was essentially the heart of my question. Practice mechanics alone vs. gathering experience without strong mechanics. Thanks for your take on it. It's what I concluded, but phrased more eloquently than I could

Pedrotrv, Glassface, I will PM you guys, I'd like to play some games against other BW newbies, especially people like you guys who appear to be better than me, but hopefully not in another class altogether: The best type of opponent for learning imo. One that beats you, but has to try hard to do it.

Tmorris, I'll add you on Skype.

Astounded by how many people have replied with advice, offers of coaching, and offers of practice partners. If everyone knew how awesome the community in this game was, I'm sure you'd get a lot more players trying to get into this great game.

Thanks everyone!

EDIT: Have contacted you guys, Pedro, Glassface, Tmorris.

Last edit: 2011-07-04 17:07:30

Austro Australia. July 04 2011 20:12. Posts 47

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What race do you main?

Ver's guide to improving is a must-read as someone has mentioned. Also, liquidpedia and quite a few of the linked threads in the stickied topic are very useful despite what some people might say. If you're a Terran, look up Stylish's VODs on YouTube.

I'd be happy to play with you sometime if you'd like as I live in Australia too

Less QQ, more pew pew.

mansa Philippines. July 04 2011 21:18. Posts 320

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If you want I can help you practice

PM me anytime sGs.mansasbg

Stork #1/ Damn you business! P.M me guys ^^

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