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| TangSC Canada. July 13 2012 05:31. Posts 1613 | Profile Blog # |
[G] Seizing Every Edge: Zerg Economy Management
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen of Team Liquid!
I sincerely appreciate that you've taken the time to view my newest guide on Zerg Economics. Everyone knows that solid economy management makes a considerable difference in SC2, but it is still a subject that is only briefly touched in guides and tutorials. It's probably because drone saturation isn't always as interesting as innovative new build orders and play styles, but that doesn't diminish its importance.
Now obviously I'm not saying that it's more important to check your third base's mineral saturation than manage a game-deciding battle. What I'm saying is that economy management is an improvable skill: I strongly believe that if you take the time to understand and practice it, you become faster and more effective. Furthermore, it will improve other areas of your game play: mouse precision, boxing, hand speed, multitasking. Whether you play a 1-base all-in style or refuse to leave the creep until you're maxed with broodlords, you will benefit from reaching and maintaining optimal mineral saturation. That's why I'm so excited to present an economy-focused guide with three goals:
1) Add structure to players' economy by introducing the concept of optimal mineral saturation: 16 Drones per base, 2 Drones per patch.
2) Suggest methods of reaching optimal mineral saturation as early as possible, and maintaining it throughout the game.
3) Offer tips and drills to help players quickly point out their own mistakes and fix them.
An Introduction: Calculations
+ Show Spoiler +"Double-mining drones harvest at peak efficiency (42-42.5 minerals/minute)"Stream Video: An Introduction to Zerg Economy ManagementStream Video: An Economic Walkthrough of ZvT, ZvP, ZvZCalculations: 16 Drones mining 2 per patch return ~670 minerals/minute, roughly 42 minerals/minute per drone. 20 Drones mining 2 per patch on closer patches and 3 per patch on further patches return ~750 minerals/minute, roughly 37.5 minerals/minute per drone. 20 Drones mining 2 per patch on 2 bases (16 Drones at main, 4 drones at natural) return ~850 minerals/minute, roughly 42 minerals per drone. You lose nearly 5 minerals per minute per drone when you go over 2-drones per patch, meaning you lose approximately 80-100 minerals per minute if you have 20 drones mining with four triple-mining patches when they could be mining more efficiently at an expansion. This is why it's so important to make sure you're double mining at all your patches, because if you're sitting with 16 drones but some of your closer patches are single mining while your far-back patches triple mine, you're losing mining efficiency. In other words, you can more than double the effectiveness of a drone/probe/scv by transferring it to a new expansion instead of leaving it at a base with 16+ miners.
Zerg Economics Part 1: Counting Drones
+ Show Spoiler +"Over/undersaturating bases is a cardinal sin for Zerg players."Since we generally aim to stay one base ahead, Zerg players must pay closer attention to saturation. Protoss or Terran players may oversaturate their natural expansion so that they can transfer workers to their third base, but since Zergs tend to take their third much earlier, there is usually no reason to oversaturate a mineral field. The picture below depicts optimal mineral saturation: ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ovDd1.jpg) 8 Mineral Patches x 2 Drones per Patch = 16 Drones In other words, to optimally saturate a mineral field you need 16 Drones (2 full rows). It is also absolutely essential that the drones double-mine each patch, a topic explored in more detail in the stream videos and drills. To keep track of the number of drones mining at each base, I personally recommend using the "BOX TECHNIQUE" to count only the drones harvesting minerals. To use the "BOX TECHNIQUE", simply make a rectangular box between your main hatchery and your minerals, then count all the drones. While you could double-click or control-click to count drones, I prefer the box style to avoid factoring in the drones mining gas. Also, it improves the speed and precision of your boxing, which is a helpful skill in micro engagements. That being said, there's nothing wrong with double-clicking the drones and factoring out the drones that mine gas (minus 2 drones per geyser). Stream Video: Quick Tip - the "BOX TECHNIQUE"Example A) - Current Drones: 7. We need 9 more drones to optimally saturate this base. ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/sNtGZ.jpg) Example B) - Current Drones: 10. We need 6 more drones to optimally saturate this base. ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/91PfB.jpg) Example C) - Current Drones: 14. We need 2 more drones to optimally saturate this base. Fortunately, we have two building and rallied already ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/1G72R.jpg) Example D) - Current Drones: 16. Bliss! ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/nhX3B.jpg)
Zerg Economics Part 2: Maintaining Optimal Saturation
+ Show Spoiler +"There is no sense devoting all this effort and time perfecting our mineral saturation if it's disrupted every time we create a structure or fill a gas geyser." We just discussed the importance of reaching optimal mineral saturation (16 drones/mineral field), and now we need to figure out how to keep it. Here are some general guidelines. If you must take drones off mining to fill gas or build a structure, choose drones that are... 1) just dropping off minerals. 2) nearer to the gas geyser/where you're placing the building. 3) mining from those mineral patches that are furthest from your hatchery. To avoid taking drones off of a base with optimal saturation... 1) construct new drones and rally the eggs into the geyser. 2) take three drones off mining, but rally three new drone eggs to the patches you took from. 3) take drones from a base that doesn't have full saturation. Stream Tutorial: Maintaining Optimal Mineral Saturation
Zerg Economics Part 3: Tips and Drills
+ Show Spoiler +
Feedback Poll:
+ Show Spoiler +As always, I welcome and appreciate positive feedback as well as criticism. Please comment and let me know the things I'm doing right so I can continue doing them, as well as some things I did wrong so I can fix them in the future. Poll: Do you find this guide helpful?5 - Excellent guide, relevant and concise information, interesting style. (128) 50% 4 - Solid guide, good analysis, pretty helpful. (52) 20% 3 - Average guide, could be improved but probably will help some people. (35) 14% 1 - There is nothing to be learned from you, Tang. You're ruining eSports. (31) 12% 2 - Some helpful material, overall not very informative. (11) 4% 257 total votes Your vote: Do you find this guide helpful? (Vote): 5 - Excellent guide, relevant and concise information, interesting style.
(Vote): 4 - Solid guide, good analysis, pretty helpful.
(Vote): 3 - Average guide, could be improved but probably will help some people.
(Vote): 2 - Some helpful material, overall not very informative.
(Vote): 1 - There is nothing to be learned from you, Tang. You're ruining eSports.
- Tang
Courtesy of www.TangStarcraft.comLast edit: 2012-07-18 23:31:06 |
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| TangSC Canada. July 13 2012 05:32. Posts 1613 | Profile Blog # |
It would really mean a lot to me if you all would upvote this post on reddit:
Reddit Link
Thanks! |
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| ValeHavoc United States. July 13 2012 05:52. Posts 1 | Profile # |
| Example 1 of zerg econ pt. 1: 7+11=18 |
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| TangSC Canada. July 13 2012 05:53. Posts 1613 | Profile Blog # |
On July 13 2012 05:52 ValeHavoc wrote:
Example 1 of zerg econ pt. 1: 7+11=18
Oops! Thanks very much, updated. |
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| syriuszonito Poland. July 13 2012 06:11. Posts 291 | Profile # |
| Useful guide but I have to disagree about ALWAYS using box instead of double click. Imho when there are no drones transfering on the screen faster method is to ctrl click (or double click) drones , you want to see 16 +2 for each gas that you mine at the base (so you wanna see 20 drones if you have 2 gas mining). |
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| TangSC Canada. July 13 2012 06:19. Posts 1613 | Profile Blog # |
On July 13 2012 06:11 syriuszonito wrote:
Useful guide but I have to disagree about ALWAYS using box instead of double click. Imho when there are no drones transfering on the screen faster method is to ctrl click (or double click) drones , you want to see 16 +2 for each gas that you mine at the base (so you wanna see 20 drones if you have 2 gas mining).
Thanks for the feedback, I see where you're coming from. If you prefer to double click your workers, you can. However, I think boxing is one of the most important skills in SC2 (not just being able to make a box, but making a box the size/shape you need quickly). I always recommend using the box technique in the early stages, because even if it's not 100% necessary, it trains a skill that applies in micro engagements. |
| | Coaching TangStarcraft.com | Team All-Inspiration.com | Stream Twitch.TV/TangSC |
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 EnE July 13 2012 06:25. Posts 417 | Profile Blog # |
| One issue with the guide in my opinion, is that double clicking to check saturation can be fine, you just add two more drones to the total needed to account for the two drones with gas on the way back to your hatchery. Last edit: 2012-07-13 06:25:55 |
| | I'm embarrased by my past actions and even more ashamed of my present thoughts and future endeavors to clear my name. |
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| TangSC Canada. July 13 2012 06:30. Posts 1613 | Profile Blog # |
On July 13 2012 06:25 EnE wrote:
One issue with the guide in my opinion, is that double clicking to check saturation can be fine, you just add two more drones to the total needed to account for the two drones with gas on the way back to your hatchery.
I think you guys are right, and I've updated the paragraph on boxing vs double-clicking. While I still prefer the box technique, there's nothing wrong at all with double-clicking or control-clicking - in some ways, it is actually faster/easier because you can avoid accidently boxing your gas-drones, your queen, or any units that spawn. |
| | Coaching TangStarcraft.com | Team All-Inspiration.com | Stream Twitch.TV/TangSC |
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| rezzan Sweden. July 13 2012 06:32. Posts 296 | Profile # |
Ive been talking a bit t with tang and he has very good points and give good feedback and hes a nice guy. He have taught me alot about sc2, and its really showing in my gameplay after his help.
another great guide, !
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| BoggieMan July 13 2012 06:33. Posts 463 | Profile Blog # |
| the title is kinda missleading since alot of this can be used by all races, great advice for the players that don't know all this already, i however think you should write that people in the lower leagues should not focus on this at all, cause its kinda silly wasting time practicing stuff like this when its your general gameplay that has huge flaws. |
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| Danglars United States. July 13 2012 06:39. Posts 1923 | Profile Blog # |
I don't think your example of "fully saturate" with 16 drones is conveying your point. A FULLY saturated base is 30 drones on minerals. I don't care if your mining rate with the third drone is 5 minerals per minute less than the first two. You are still mining faster and you haven't reached saturation until further drones do not add to your mining rate (I gotta assume equilibrium here, not drones still hunting for 2-drone patch). Similar to the sciences, where the saturation point means absolutely nothing more can be absorbed or added, as in the case with adding salt to water, where further salt past saturation point starts a pile of salt at the bottom.
Consider revising your terms for (particularly) the screenshots. You're talking about mining efficiency, but somebody else might talk about per-base mining efficiency. You are literally decreasing your mining rate per base when you stop droning at 16 drones per base because you are below base saturation. The argument becomes why this is desirable (200 supply cap, map-based ease of taking third), but not the confusion with terms you're introducing here.
So please, separate drone mining efficiency from base mining saturation.
EDIT: Optimal drone saturation versus "fully saturate this base," I think is the clearer point to consider. You define the optimal drone saturation because that is the topic you are discussing, then switch pace to assert that 16 drones fully saturate a base.
+ Show Spoiler +
Example A) - Current Drones: 7. We need 9 more drones to fully saturate this base. Example B) - Current Drones: 10. We need 6 more drones to fully saturate this base. Example C) - Current Drones: 14. We need 2 more drones to fully saturate this base. Fortunately, we have two building and rallied already
Really, it is merely to optimally saturate the base, having previously defined optimally as mining efficiency per drone and not mining efficiency per base Last edit: 2012-07-13 06:43:07 |
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| TangSC Canada. July 13 2012 06:40. Posts 1613 | Profile Blog # |
On July 13 2012 06:33 BoggieMan wrote:
the title is kinda missleading since alot of this can be used by all races, great advice for the players that don't know all this already, i however think you should write that people in the lower leagues should not focus on this at all, cause its kinda silly wasting time practicing stuff like this when its your general gameplay that has huge flaws.
Yeah, I was focused primarily on Zerg but you're definitely correct that Protoss/Terran players can use some of the information. While I completely understand your point of view, I'm going to respectfully disagree that it's silly to practice this at lower levels. It doesn't need to be the chief concern of a bronze level player, but it doesn't mean it hurts to be aware of it. I actually think that the drills might be very helpful for a newer player who still needs to improve those important fundamentals/mechanics: mouse precision, handspeed/apm, boxing. You're right that it's not even close to being as important as things like expanding, keeping larva/resources low, etc. |
| | Coaching TangStarcraft.com | Team All-Inspiration.com | Stream Twitch.TV/TangSC |
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| TangSC Canada. July 13 2012 06:43. Posts 1613 | Profile Blog # |
On July 13 2012 06:39 Danglars wrote:I don't think your example of "fully saturate" with 16 drones is conveying your point. A FULLY saturated base is 30 drones on minerals. I don't care if your mining rate with the third drone is 5 minerals per minute less than the first two. You are still mining faster and you haven't reached saturation until further drones do not add to your mining rate (I gotta assume equilibrium here, not drones still hunting for 2-drone patch). Similar to the sciences, where the saturation point means absolutely nothing more can be absorbed or added, as in the case with adding salt to water, where further salt past saturation point starts a pile of salt at the bottom. Consider revising your terms for (particularly) the screenshots. You're talking about mining efficiency, but somebody else might talk about per-base mining efficiency. You are literally decreasing your mining rate per base when you stop droning at 16 drones per base because you are below base saturation. The argument becomes why this is desirable (200 supply cap, map-based ease of taking third), but not the confusion with terms you're introducing here. So please, separate drone mining efficiency from base mining saturation. EDIT: Optimal drone saturation versus "fully saturate this base," I think is the clearer point to consider. You define the optimal drone saturation because that is the topic you are discussing, then switch pace to assert that 16 drones fully saturate a base. + Show Spoiler +
Example A) - Current Drones: 7. We need 9 more drones to fully saturate this base. Example B) - Current Drones: 10. We need 6 more drones to fully saturate this base. Example C) - Current Drones: 14. We need 2 more drones to fully saturate this base. Fortunately, we have two building and rallied already
Really, it is merely to optimally saturate the base, having previously defined optimally as mining efficiency per drone and not mining efficiency per base
I agree about the term "fully saturated base", updated to "optimally saturated base". Thanks! |
| | Coaching TangStarcraft.com | Team All-Inspiration.com | Stream Twitch.TV/TangSC |
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| TheGreenMachine United States. July 13 2012 06:47. Posts 693 | Profile # |
I LOVE this type of stuff. I've been obsessed with avoiding triple mining+single mining drones with 16 per base. I also learned new things like the ideal drones to put on gas and some fancy drills to get even better where I feel I can improve. Great guide, 10/10 for what I look for ^^
Edit: another thing I do when Im not under pressure (ZvP vs forge) is always build overlords at the hatch with full saturation since drone transfer is about 5-10 minerals and overlords tend to not matter where they come out at.
Also I like to stagger when I make multiple gases since I know I cant perfectly add 9 drones to 3 gases efficiently I wait ~4 seconds between each planning ahead to be able to place them in gas more efficiently.Last edit: 2012-07-13 06:51:17 |
| | Don't forget to get everyone you know to play HOTS so this game we love called Starcraft will live on. Every little bit helps. ^^ |
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| Drankme Denmark. July 13 2012 06:47. Posts 22 | Profile # | |
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| TangSC Canada. July 13 2012 06:50. Posts 1613 | Profile Blog # |
On July 13 2012 06:47 TheGreenMachine wrote:
I LOVE this type of stuff. I've been obsessed with avoiding triple mining+single mining drones with 16 per base. I also learned new things like the ideal drones to put on gas and some fancy drills to get even better where I feel I can improve. Great guide, 10/10 for what I look for ^^
Haha me too!! Glad I'm not the only economy-nerd out there  |
| | Coaching TangStarcraft.com | Team All-Inspiration.com | Stream Twitch.TV/TangSC |
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| zoohairZ Canada. July 13 2012 07:05. Posts 254 | Profile # |
This is a good post, thanks Tang.  |
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| TangSC Canada. July 13 2012 07:09. Posts 1613 | Profile Blog # |
On July 13 2012 07:05 zoohairZ wrote:This is a good post, thanks Tang.
Thanks zoohairZ hopefully see you at NASL? |
| | Coaching TangStarcraft.com | Team All-Inspiration.com | Stream Twitch.TV/TangSC |
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| zoohairZ Canada. July 13 2012 07:12. Posts 254 | Profile # |
On July 13 2012 07:09 TangSC wrote:Thanks zoohairZ hopefully see you at NASL?
Yup i'll be there :D |
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| Monsyphon Canada. July 13 2012 07:26. Posts 178 | Profile Blog # |
Neat little guide
It would be nice to have the gas income rate in the calculations section as well, makes it more complete |
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