Planters Guide

Submitted by Planters

Many things are a factor in being the best at Starcraft.I'll start out with some basic rules or tips for general playing.

I.OUTSIDE THE GAME

1.I like to sit in a Spinning soft chair.I also think that slouching is a good thing when it comes to starcraft.You might want to prop your feet up on something and get comfortable,it helps ya think.

2.Keep your left hand on the keyboard on the A,S, and D keys(unless you're protoss)and your right on the mouse.Hotkeys are very important,and using A instead of clicking each time can win or lose games.

3.It is never good to eat while you play.(it can be a major distraction),but I find it convienient to keep a cool glass of lemonade or soda close by.It cools ya down and can keep you from having to get up if you get thirsty.

II.INSIDE THE GAME:PLAYING

1.I understand that every guide you have read has told you to expand early and often.On money maps,this is often one of the big mistakes to be made.A large spread out base is difficult to manage and defend.And on $$$ maps,being able to mine more is barely worth the effort.

2.I also understand that every guide says to use varying unit types and multiple different attackers.This,on the otherhand,I do agree with.Using many different units will confuse the enemy and more easily break through enemy defense.

3.SPELLS:oh,oh,oh,spells are the best things you can use.They often can pull you out of a hole,and make you look like an incredible player.If you ever get stranded in a 1vs3 game, mass units won't do the trick,but mass units backed up by templar will,trust me.

4.SPELLCASTERS:if ya want to know more of what I mean,each race has a specific unit which can help immensly.
PROTOSS:HIGH TEMPLAR-PSI STORM
ZERG:QUEEN,DEFILER-BROODLING,DARK SWARM
TERRAN:SCIENCE VESSEL-IRRADIATE,EMP SHOCKWAVE

5.Everyone knows that firebats are incredible against protoss,but nobody seems to know why.I'll clear that up.As you all know damage is seperated into types.Normal,concussive nd explosive.A firebat's weapon does a huge amount of concussive damage,but only a percentage is dealt to most units,making firebats seem normal,but since protoss shields take 100% damage from all types,this strong attack is truly showcased.

III.INSIDE THE GAME:PSYCOLOGICAL WINS 1.The best way I can sum up what I am trying to say here is "You are as strong as your opponent thinks you are."What I mean is that if You're opponent thinks you have 200 fully upgraded dragoons sitting outside his base,he is going to be worried about defending against an imaginary attack,while you have bought yourself time to mount a real one.

2.Sometimes it is evil,but in a 3v3 game,it can be to your advantage to turn off ally chat and say to everyone "So you're going to backstab them,then,red"(assuming red is an opponent)This often causes suspicion to arise andthey are sometimes hesitant to defend each other.

3.now,this is pretty much the opposite of 1.If you convince your opponent that you are a hardcore newbie,they will play much lighter than if they think you are going to kill them if they do.

VI.WHY 1V1 GAMES ARE THE ONLY ONES WORTH PLAYING

1.1v1 games are, in my opinion, the only starcraft games worth playing.Skills you acquire from 3v3 games will never benefit you when it comes to impressing your friends or winning a starcraft tournament.

2.It seems like every time I go to play a 3v3 game I meet 5 other people who are only interisted in their record.Then we start this stupid,no rush 20 game and everyone maxes out at 200/200 in the first ten and sit there for 10 minutes thinking that they are the best players in the world.Then they end up either backstabbing or dying. 1v1 games give you that chill that you never know when 6 zerglings will race up to your nexus,or when a dropship will unload some stimmed marines.There is constant thinking and wondering what will happen.When your hands are ice cold and your body shakes.3v3's don't give you that feeling that Starcraft is all about.I,personally, live for the feeling of suspense when I see that "rip" in the air and realize I forgot a detector.Without that feeling,Starcraft would be no different than any other game.

I've said my peace,and I bid you farewell.Good Luck.