Fundamentals of Micro

On June 20 2012 17:47 2Pacalypse- wrote:
Here's a short guide of Hold Position, Patrol and Attack Command's usage (written by Sion.Mind):
http://www.thebgh.com/bgh-articles/91-hold-position-patrol-and-attack-commands-usage

Differences, Characteristics:

Response time: Patrol > Hold > Attack (The order sometimes is flipped around depending on the situation)
Attack and Patrol automatically target the closest unit within range. (Focused attack)
Hold position is random however. (Damage spread out)
Hold Position makes you stay in one spot and attack immediately. Patrol and Attack tend to move to the target location than attack and this tendency is much common for Patrol.

Details:

Once the first target is killed by an Attack or Patrol command, the next targets chosen are random. So if you want to attack the closest unit every time, you need to issue the Attack or Patrol command each time.
If you command units to attack to a location within their attack range, they attack from that position but if you use patrol, they move to the position first.

ex) When you have four dragoons, each next to a marine with the fourth dragoon next to a firebat, each dragoon attacks its closest target

Usage:

If you want to attack enemy melee units with a group of dragoons, instead of using Hold, use Patrol to focus fire.
If you want a perfect focus fire, use the attack and click on the enemy unit.
Because the patrol command tends to move and focus fire, it is better than hold position in positions where you have to retreat and attack. (When having a melee unit vs melee unit battle, it is better to use patrol than move-attack)
However when you order a dragoon to patrol and there are no enemy units in range, it will simply move back so it's a little tricky.
Air units without attack automatically run away when ordered to patrol
When fighting a melee unit with the same kind of unit, using patrol will cause it to attack slightly faster. (Useful in Zealot control)

Conclusion:

For perfect focus fire use attack (click on unit) or right click (on unit)
When using ranged or hit and run type of attacks, use patrol or hold position.
In the situation above, use patrol for focus fire, hold position is however more comfortable
When using ranged units against a mixture of ranged/melee units, use patrol or attack because it will focus on the closest unit (Patrol recommended)
If firebats are attacking you dragoon, using hold position will cause your dragoons to attack marines far away as well.
Using patrol/attack will cause you to attack the closest firebats first.
When using melee units, Patrol is better than move-attack. (automatically moves back a little bit)

ex) Using zealots against zerglings, use patrol to counter Zergling's fast attack speed

Fundamentals of Micro - Page 2