Starcraft 2 General Strategy

Starcraft 2 general strategy is the basics of Starcraft 2, the mechanics. General Starcraft 2 strategy is knowing what your opponent is going to do and countering it before he does it.

For instance, you send out an early Probe because you have to scout your opponent. In scouting the Zerg you see that he has put a Spawning Pool up early, and it will finish soon. You quickly cast Chrono Boost on your Gateway to get your Zealot out quicker, and you rally it to your Probe line for the inevitable Zergling rush that is coming. The Zerglings can't kill your Probes because the Zealot won't let them, and the Zerg wasted time and minerals on an unsuccessful rush.

This is the smallest example of general Starcraft 2 strategy. The simple fact is that in a game of Starcraft 2 lots of these scenarios unfold with the game. This is why I always suggest a Starcraft 2 strategy guide, it will take a lot of the guesswork out of the game for you, saving you a lot of time.

Being prepared is never easy, nor is scouting. I think these are the two concepts new players struggle with the most. Once you learn to keep an eye on your opponent it becomes so much easier. Know thy rival, I'm sure you've heard that before. Staying one step ahead involves keeping tabs.

I think as far as general Starcraft 2 strategies go knowing how to manage a base is the other concept beginners struggle with. Managing a base takes much time and effort. In fact it should take up most of your energy in an average game. Unlike games like Warcraft 3, you aren't punished (in the form of upkeep) for having lots of troops, so managing your base as your army grows is a very viable option. Expansion is often a more important move then attacking. This is a game of attrition.

Have a great day!

Promoted To Diamond!

I was promoted to the Diamond ladder ! yayy!! While playing Protoss too!

So I might have a job writing some SC2 articles and commentating some replays! I'll be doing this for the SC2 Pwnage strategy guide, these guys take their work seriously!

Anywho yayy Diamond league! Solo, it feels great. I'm finally starting to get a hand on my Protoss vs Terran matchup, it has been a real sticking point for me as a Protoss player. Least I'm getting a lot of practice in that way.

I'll be blogging more about my games later I promise, I've just been super busy.

By the way, in the spirit of ranking Diamond solo with Protoss, I've released a free strategy guide webpage for them. Check it out here: Starcraft 2 Strategies Protoss.

Starcraft 2 Strategies Terran

So I've decided to play Terran a bunch lately, mostly arranged with a good Diamond level buddy of mine.

I decided to write up a lens from a beginner Starcraft 2 strategies Terran perspective, hopefully new players will be able to click with what I'm saying right away.

Anyhow here is my new Squidoo lens, Starcraft 2 strategies Terran.

It is a pretty cool new lens so check it out! It has basic Starcraft 2 Terran strategies, Terran vs Protoss, Terran vs Zerg, and a pretty cool replay for you to watch too featuring TheLittleOne. Ok until next time!

Still Mastering Protoss - New Webpages Made By Me - SC2 And FrontierVille

Yes I'm still mastering Protoss. I think I finally got a finger on beating Terran players in solo play, hint it involves Collasus.

I keep matching up against Terran, almost like I'm being told something...

Anyhow I'm going to keep playing Protoss for awhile then switch to Terran. I haven't been blogging about my most recent games mostly because I'm so preoccupied, I have big goals to keep by the end of September.

Anyhow the purpose of this post is to shed some light on my newest Squidoo lens, oh and I guess some FrontierVille lenses I also made I'll link to as well.

Starcraft 2 replays - This lens I put together on some of my favorite Starcraft 2 replays, and I hope to add a bunch more soon!


FrontierVille Tips Tricks - Tips and tricks for the FrontierVille game, what can I say I've been trying it
out lately.

I hope you enjoy!

I'll be sure to play a solo game or two soon and blog about them! I'm also thinking soon I'll commentate a Starcraft 2 replay and post a link to it on my blog. Believe it or not I did this all for you once, then found out I didn't switch a setting and the recording came out all choppy :/.

Ok have a great day!

HAHA PROTOSS SOLO WIN BABY!!!

Yeah my first one on this account!

Woohoo I rock! In the Platinum league too!

So I roll up against a favored Terran.

This guy, sneaks a Barracks on the side of my base and goes for Reapers!

Well he has a Reaper in my base before I have a single unit!

So I have all my probes chasing Reapers around, well I have like four or five Probes left at one point, then finally I get a Stalker!

I'm down to five Probes he has a full economy, I'm thinking I'm screwed!

Well I do my thing and build up a bunch of units, when he tries to drop on me!

Well that won't work, I killed off two Medivacs worth of units, and two Medivacs! The drop was an awful idea, my army was too big!

Then with my Observer I saw how little he had in his base, and went in for the victory. I wanted that win :), I worked hard for it! A great comeback too, I thought I'd be writing about how Reaper rushes are too strong lol!

Hah Another Loss With Protoss!@

Everytime I think I got a handle on what might happen to me, something completely different happens.

Now this game I went Stalkers with only a couple Zealots, I had an early Robotics Facility, expecting a normal Terran tech.

Well the jerk had put a Barracks not ten feet from my base's entrance, and attacked with mass Marines he had been storing up!

So now I'm being attacked with mass Marines, I only have a few troops, Immortal on the way, a close fight and he was left with like three Marines, yet he was producing faster than my two Gateways could!

I would have never suspected Protoss could be susceptible to a Terran rush.


I'm going to have to figure out how to kill these Terran players! That game I should have had more Stalkers quicker, double Gateways to Robotics is going to be my modified build, because of this game.

It will give me a stronger early game, I'll adapt though. I never stick through with one strategy if I feel like in-game their is something better I could do.

The strategy is like guidelines, if I see an opportunity (or what I think is an opportunity) I take it! If I lose, I'll know not to fall for the same trap again!

You have to lose to get good, fact of gaming. My motto.

Starcraft 2 Protoss vs Protoss - Another Loss!

AHhhhh I'm screwing up my record!

Yeah right lol, no it is ok. I am losing a couple games but that is what it takes to learn a new race. You just hang in there until you are good. It is kind of hard, and it makes you feel upset, but oh well. You know it'll pass and you'll become a great player. That is what persistence does for you.

Protoss is a whole new style, I lost another game.

He was Protoss. I kept thinking my that Protoss ground is too weak, I'm going to go air.

Well I harassed awesome with Void Rays, upgraded speed. Yet he just had so many Stalkers. Now I had a bunch of Stalkers too, but he had a lot more! Plus he added all these Immortals to his army! Immortals are tough on Stalkers!

I'm not seeing a use for Zealots in all this either, I mean maybe a few but dang, at least verses Protoss, Stalkers, Sentries, and Immortals is the shit.


I think most of the time wasting minerals on Zealots, especially early game, is a bad idea.

I like learning Protoss! I'm having fun, the games are so interesting and I never know what to expect.

I know it is going to pay off huge later on. I play Protoss, learn them. I play Terran, learn them. I go back to Zerg, and I know exactly how to throw them off there game. I know exactly what they are trying to do, I'll probably play Protoss for a little while longer at least.

I want to feel comfortable with them like I do with Zerg.

I worked my butt off for that loss too, losing can really stink sometimes!

1vs1 With Toss - First Time In Months...

I haven't 1vs1'd with Toss since the early beta, so I knew this would be a nerve wrecking experience.

Of course I rolled up against a favored Terran player. Which was the one race I really didn't want to fight.

You see I know Zerg very well, and I'm learning Protoss, but I know very little about playing Terran solo. I've played lots of Terran players, but from Zerg's perspective.

The early game was pretty boring, we both built a lot of units and expanded to our naturals. He had a heavy Siege Tank army with lots of Marines, Maruaders, and Medivacs.

I had a mix of Zealots, Stalkers, Void Rays, Immortals, and Sentries.

Anyway it was some back and close fighting, he was on my heels than I was on his.

Now here is where I lost.

He attacks my third expansion, he doesn't have one at this point. So he attacks my third with a drop, I send my army over to kill off his drop. I lose the expansion anyway, and than he sieges in front of my base with my army outside of it.

So now I have Collasus in my base, that are just finishing, but I had to fight without them. Not only that, he had countered with lots of Marines and Marauders, and my Zealot Stalker army just wasn't enough. The Void Rays went down pretty fast too.


Oh and let me mention, Dark Templar's are even awesome verses Terran. I used them so efficiently to run in and kill off Siege Tanks when my opponent was barely paying attention.

I do need to tighten my Protoss build up a little, I wasn't sure what to build so I went all over the map. I think next game verses Terran I'll do at least dual Robotics Facilities early on.

2vs2 Protoss.. Man I'm kickin butt....

What a truly fantastic game.

Just absolutely awesome.

Me and a Protoss verses Zerg and Protoss.

Dual Protoss hasn't failed me once I don't think...Maybe one time. ;)

So I start off with a couple Zealots but quickly tech. My opponent dual gate's zealots, and decides to attack.

Anyway we really kicked butt.

The final moments were awesome. We all had expansions, I had about eight Collasus and some Stalkers. My expansions getting Mutalisks and Dt'd and even Zergling attacked, I'm being nonstop attacked.

Yet we have control of the map, we were knockin them around.

Mutalisks rained down hell on my partner's economy.


He was out of the game for awhile, a few Dt's he used to kill there expansion.

Next thing I know, my partner and the enemy Zerg had built expansions right next to eachother!

He's telling me he needs this one, he can't lose it.

We go down their for the big battle.

Collasus melting Hydralisks and Stalkers like they were nothing, I love Collasus!

I was worried the Mutalisks would take down my Collasus too fast, but the Stalkers did a good job of keeping them clear. Not only that, but I was able to attack them when they were sandwhiched, walls on both sides. Yet walls don't slow down Collasus' do they?

Hope you enjoyed my goodnight post, until next time.

A quick win Me(toss) and Toss vs Terran and Zerg

What a whacky win in the platinum bracket.

So the game starts out, and my partner Photon Cannons in the Zerg, which doesn't do a lot of good but keep him in his base.

Me and Terran have several fights, Marines must be making a comeback because that is all he built, and then Medivacs. Yet my Zealots were doing an ok job of fending off the Marines with a couple of Stalkers.

Then my partner gets Void Rays and kills attacks Zerg. Terran decides to attack my partner with a drop. It was sort of like a base exchange because my partner attacked the Terran with his Voids.

So I run over to my partners base, I have to destroy a Pylon to get in because he sealed off, and I took care of the Marines and Medivacs.

I then built some Dark Templars and through them into the Zerg base. The Dark Templars went in undetected and the enemy players left. I came out with top score again. Was a nice win, I think I'm done playing for tonight.

What did I learn from that game?

Zealots rock Marines...(upclose, these fights can be forced)
Zerg need to be able to counter air....
Watch out for Photon Cannon rushes...especially as Zerg since you can't spread out much...

Dual Protoss vs Dual Terran - The Showdown

That is right! I chose Protoss and was randomed up with another Protoss verses two Terran players.

Well guess what, we stomped those guys.


Beginning was slow as we expected, we both built Stalkers to handle an early rush.

None came for awhile. Eventually they attacked us with a large force of Marines, Marauders, and Medivacs. They had mostly Marauders, which in my opinion, and from what I learned from Joanas guide, is not the best unit to mass verses a Protoss.

Marauders kill Zealots quite well but just about every other Protoss unit does ok to great against Marauders.

I had about five Void Rays and killed off all his marines so it was just me slaughtering Marauders, My partner was doing a lot of the ground fighting too with Immortals and a Collassus.

We also had Photon Cannons, I had strategically placed some on the cliffs edge so they were helping. I also had a few in front of my expansion, this map was Twilight Forces so we had a combined entrance sort of (to our expansions).

I expanded again, built some Carriers, then we attacked and won. They had some Vikings but nowhere near enough, had they used Scanner Sweep they could have seen our army and prepared better. Although I had built some Phoenix's for ant-air as well.

When we hit our final attack on there bases they mostly had Marines, Thors, and Vikings. The Thors were a little late to be effective, as I had about five Carriers and a few Void Rays at this point.

That reminds me, Void Ray speed upgrade is fantastic! I was shocked at how fast they moved with that upgrade, I lost a few because I didn't expect them to move so quick!

I just totally lost my train of thought, I finally got ahold of my friend who I've been playing phone tag with for several days. So I'll just end the blog post here, I'll probably play again tonight.. this still feels like talking to myself a little bit =p

Double Protoss - Grab Detection....

When you 2vs2 random and end up with another Protoss player, make sure you have detection in your base.

Now I had Photon Cannons, so DT's weren't really an issue for me. However my teammate decided not to have Photon Cannons... He also decided not to have Observers.

Now I had an observer building, but it wasn't quick enough to build then run to his base and save him.

This pretty much cost him his base, and me my chance of winning. I made a push after that but it was too late. Then my partner decides, instead of attacking with me, to suicide into the opponent.

It can be frustrating playing 2vs2 random.

2vs 2 Protoss win.. Promoted to platinum!

Woohoo movin on up, that win was crazy.

I tried to mimic his proxy, but due to not knowing the map I put it in an obvious position. Zerg sees me and kills both Pylons, but loses a lot of Zerglings doing it. Now I have unpowered Gateways and I'm running a Probe wayy down but it won't be there in time!

Luckily my partner brings a couple Zealots, and together me and him were able to stop the Protoss from killing my Gateways, my new Pylons go up.

I had nothing in my base, had he hit it I'd have been left defenseless... Anyway with my two Gateways pumping Zealots we quickly overpowered the Zerg, then they surrendered. Was a decent game. Until next time :)

Lost a 2vs2 with Protoss....

I'm going to watch the replay now, he had a really good Zealot build I want to absorb.

I'm going to see what he does, and take what I like from it to add to my Protoss build.

He comes in with about five Zealots when I have two, granted I single Gatewayed but still...

Now I'm hopefully about to add a nice Zealot rush to my Protoss toolbox.

So I'm going to watch the replay, see his build, then play one more, I'll make a post about it then I'm going to sleep.

Another 2vs2 Win - Protoss Are Darn good....

I just won another, this one was pretty easy.

I don't really feel like writing right now, I'm not sure why. I'm really distracted right now. The dog won't quit barking, its been a hectic few days in my opinion.

I know this is supposed to be a Starcraft 2 blog but I figure it is ok if I go off on personal tangents once in a while, it helps me to develop my writing ability. I've thought about being a writer a few times now, just don't feel like anyone would want to read what I have to say...

Who knows, thats the joy of life.

So this game was a breeze, I mean I worked my butt off though. It was just I always felt in control, like I was constantly scrambling the opponents.

I don't know why everyone thinks Void Rays are so good, I slaughter them every time. People need to stop going Void Rays in my opinion.

Oh and most girls can't be counted on, don't know why I had to say that. I mean you can count on family, but the girls who are your "friends", never pull through for you. Oh well, I'm about done with that anyway. I'm going to stop expecting them to, wala problem solved.

What an odd post, blogging is a very weird experience for me. I'm not used to sharing my feelings at all, figure nobody wants to read them anyway right :) We'll see, I still have hope.

Check out Shokz guide, I love this thing. I was just looking through it again today, now that I feel like I'm learning Protoss. You can get to the guide through any of the site's banners.

2vs2 Awesomeness!

Well it is easy to tell you what I learned that game, Protoss need Collasus, or I need to go Collassus more often.

I went Carriers, and lost to mass Hydras and mass Stalkers.

Again it was frustrating because my opponent wanted to panic everytime the enemy fought us, I swear if he would have relaxed we would have won. It is impossible to stay concentrated, or very hard to, when your partner is panicking.

Now on top of everything else I need to calm him down? Well I managed to, it was a very close game, lots of turning points.

In the end it came to map control. Plus whereas the opponent went Ultralisks and Hydras, my partner decided Roaches and Mutalisks was the right way to go, shesh.

Although Carriers weren't the best choice either, like I said. If I could redo that game I would have gone Collasus off the bat. Live and learn, or play and learn =p

I love Starcraft 2, what a great matchup. Oh well back to work than more sc2 later!

More 2vs2 Protoss Fun!

Gosh I love winning.

Ok if you can forgive me that, I just played a 2vs2 game and I randomed Protoss.

It was pretty cool, let's see. After a game, you should always ask yourself, what did I learn?

So what did I learn? hmm.....

I learned that when I play Protoss, I'm weakest in the early game. I like to single Gateway, so when we were rushed early on, I had a much smaller army than the opponents had.

However I'm great at defending, so I was able to fend them off. You know what I'm liking about Protoss, for whatever reason they feel like Night Elf to me from Warcraft 3, don't ask me why....

Anyway I am liking Protoss, I went early Void Rays this game, then figured I'd go Collasus. It was a pretty good combo. Picture me at the end of the game, attacking the last player from one side with Void Rays, and from the other with Collassus.

It was a pretty fun win. I also had a great ally, I randomed this Zerg player who totally knew what he was doing.

He Nydus Canal'd to attack, I think he Nydused them two times.

So that's really all I have to say on the game, a pretty good win. The opponents felt stronger than noobs, on my personal scale, but under good players. Mediocre, I hope my next opponents are a little more of a challenge I guess, I like to be put to the test.

Oh and one last thing, I love the spirit of Starcraft 2 players! I've noticed with video games, well let's just say I love good spirited players. Who keep trying and don't try and blame others. Some games go that route, with a real agitated player base, those games make me sad. This game however, still has great spirited players! I just hope the top ranks of this game don't fill up with agitating players, as is sometimes the case. Fingers crossed for Starcraft 2... I'm going to go play another!

Another 2vs2 .. I love Protoss!

This was a good game, I chose Protoss.

I've taken to Protoss like fish to water.

I earned the macro champion achievement, for Protoss, like my third game with them in the last few months.

Not bad, Protoss are so much easier to macro than Zerg, plus I felt strong all game.

Plus being able to warp in buildings totally suits me, I had Photon Cannoned up expansions all over the place! I lost most of my main, was able to rebuild in minutes. Protoss have some powerful tricks up their sleeves, and I haven't even begun to dive into the deep end of this race.

It is giving me a much needed vacation from Zerg though, they were really getting on my nerves. I think for Zerg I need to start building a lot more Hatcheries...I'll look into this more later.

Don't forget I'm recommending Joana's guide to everybody now... check out my website
http://sc2stratguidereviews.com

I also love Shokz guide, check out my new Shokz guide website!
http://www.Starcraft2ShokzGuide.com

Until next time :)

2vs2 .. A frustrating experience...

I just finished my second 2vs2 random game. Now I don't mind losing, even when it hurts. I always look at it as a chance to grow.

However, what I'm not saying, is how I still deal with frustration. Losing is always going to be frustrating, that is your motivation to improve.


Yet still, when you lose and you could have done nothing to stop it, something is wrong. What I mean is, when I lose, and my partner doesn't even try to leave his base and help, something is wrong.

Granted, there wasn't a lot he could do, but letting your partner die is never an option. You fight with whatever forces your partner has, because you partner's life is your own.

I've, in my hundreds of games played, seen one player beat two players. His partner didn't even die, he dropped!

The only situation you should abandon your partner in is if you have the game secured. If you have more expansions that either of your opponents put together, if victory is assured, you can let him die.

Players need to realize that losing your partner in a two verses two is the same as losing yourself. I can guarantee this 99.9% of the time...

I'm also thinking of going to a different race for awhile, probably Protoss. I just feel like they are much more my style, we'll see how it goes. I'm off to do another 2vs2 with Toss...

Two Vs Two Win - Power Of A Zergling Rush

I don't even do my Zergling rush as fast as possible.

I like to do ten Drones, Spawning Pool, Drone, Extractor, Drone, Overlord.

I cancel the extractor and use that Drone to scout.

As soon as the Spawning Pool completes I can rush Zerglings and rally them to the enemies base.

I build my Queen when I can, and I usually fill my food to eighteen on Zerglings, then an Overlord.

After that take it where you want it, but this is a great Zerg build that gives you a solid early game. I like a couple Spine Crawlers when I can afford it as well.

2vs2 win, I was random, randomed Zerg, what do you know!

Another Solo Match - Zerg Verses Zerg - Starcraft 2

So, this match was a quick win for me.

I rushed him and did my signature Spine Crawler in the back of his base attack. He stopped the Spine Crawler but took heavy Drone damage from my Zerglings.

A little bit of a drawn out fight ended with me killing his Queen with my Zerglings in his base, and an Overlord he let stray into my base with my Queen.

He then quit right away, quick solo win.

Second Game in Gold League - Zerg (me) Verses Terran (Favored)

Joana's Starcraft 2 strategy guide has brought my gameplay to the next level in just one day, I am so impressed, she has me sold. This is definitely the best guide.

This is my second game in the Gold league under my account. I matched up verses a Random player who was favored, so I knew this would be another test.

The ladder is still trying to figure out where to put me. Anyways this player was smarter than the last, his base was sealed off for my Zergling rush.

I even had some backup Zerglings that became pointless, so instead I through up an expansion and some defense buildings, and built a lot of workers. I figured Mutalisks were a good call because since he was sealed off in the front, I needed another way in.

Plus I had a fast expansion to mine double Vespene (four geysters), which would give me fuel for lots of Mutalisks.

He comes in to harass me with some reapers at my expansion, kills a Vespene Geyster and a few Drones. I had Spines at the expansion, two, but they couldn't reach the Reapers.

Luckily my Zergling speed (which I should have upgraded earlier) finished just in time to give the Zerglings the boost they need to catch the Reapers. Otherwise the Reapers can just hit and run, leaving Zerglings dead in their trail.

So I was able to kill off the Reapers, and I sent my Mutalisks in to harass. I was able to kill about six SCVs before he rallied enough Marines to shake me. I was then able to kill two Supply Depots with my superior speed.

I knew he would Turret up and I saw a Starport push out a Core, so I knew he would go Vikings to counter my Mutalisks. I decided to switch to mass Zerglings, I had a fully running expansion and three Hatcheries at this point.

I started upgrading Zerglings right away and mass producing them. I made sure he didn't expand with my Overlords scouting his expansion.

So I massed a decent amount of Zerglings, probably about 120 food, when he does a push at my expansion. He has a two or three Siege Tanks, two Medivacs, and a nice group of Marauders and Marines. My Zerglings just got their Adrenaling upgarde, and were about two-two in upgrades. His units were only zero one, so even though he had the positional advantage (choke point) I decided to attack him.

Looking back on it this was a completely unnecessary risk. I won the fight but not by a whole bunch, but I knew since I had an expansion running and he didn't, I had a huge advantage.

I quickly rebuilt my army of Zerglings, pumped a few Corrupters (for late game Brood Lords), and through up an expansion.

He tried to expand but I ran my Zerglings down to kill it. I morphed my Corrupters into three Brood Lords and pumped some Hydras to take care of the Vikings. I attacked his main and my victory was assured. I probably went overkill at the end but hey, better safe than sorry.

I'm telling you guys, Joana's Starcraft 2 strategy guide has made an amazing difference for me. Learning to focus on economy and not micro, macro and not micro, plus the tips she gives, I've become a much better player.

I'm not kidding, my last two games after reading her guide today, have been absolutely amazing. I've never been such a good player, and if I keep it up my gameplay has already gone through the roof.

I'm so impressed with Joana's Starcraft 2 strategy guide, I strongly encourage any player, especially Zerg like me, to get this guide immediately!

It has a money back guarantee but trust me, this guide is unbelievable. I'm such a better player, after only one day with the guide. Can you imagine how good I'll be soon? Well you are going to know because I"ll keep blogging after every solo game, and let you know.

Since entering the Gold league I'm two and zero :). I'm pretty proud of myself so far.

Check out her Guide!

First Gold League Game - Zerg Verses Terran

Let me preface this article by saying I just bought Joanas Starcraft 2 strategy guide and I decided to employ just the basic section of her guide in my first game.

The basic section just goes over some points for economy and some goals of the game that beginner players wouldn't know.

So I just started this game, and I'm verses a Terran player who is favored. I'm nervous because not only is he favored, but he is Terran my weakest matchup as Zerg (I love to rush and Terran are rush proof).

So we got the fight going and I mean this guy was tough, I managed to sneak in some Zerglings fairly early on. Let me note I was trying a new Zergling build I read in Joana's guide, she specifically says this build is weak verses Terran but since it was the only one I've read...

So I get these Zerglings in, but they only take out about two Marines and two SCVs before getting crushed. My backup Zerglings ran into a Supply Depot so I backed out.

Now normally I would go for Roaches, but following Joana's strategy I expanded and strengthened my economy. I also followed a really cool Zerg tip she gave me with placement of my Overlords which meant I knew everything my opponent was doing.

So my economy was booming and I was upgrading like crazy and building Hydralisks. He runs in with some early Banshees but luckily he didn't have cloak and I was able to fend them off with my Queens.

He then comes in with a Marine rush, but due to another tip I read in Joana's Guide I had enough Zerglings and Spine Crawlers (which I moved) to completely shut the attack down.

Now I just sat back with my superior economy, expanded all over the place, and hit close to 200 food with Hydralisks.

The opponent comes in with more Banshees but thanks to my Overlord placements I saw them coming and obliterated them with Hydralisks and detection.

The final fight occurred at his expansion, and even though he had superior positioning my superior troop count (upgraded by the way) overwhelmed him.

A very nice win which netted me a bunch of points because he was favored, moving my way up the Gold ladder.

So far I'm very impressed with Joana's guide. The tips are incredibly powerful and hit home with me right away. I feel like a whole new player. Not only that but the layout of the guide meant I got the tips that helped me the most right away! I can't wait to get into my next game.

I'm going to add a link here to Joana's guide, I suggest you check it out. Tremendous value for your money!

Check out her Guide!

Friendly Match Verses A Diamond Level Terran

I have a buddy, Genocidal, who plays mainly Terran,. and we decided to have a match for fun.

He was telling about the usefullness of Infestors verses Thors and I was doubting.

The match went well for me in the beginning, expoed before him, definitely had a resource advantage. I built mostly Hydras assuming they would stomp his Thors.

I expoed in an odd corner of the map, to hopefully avoid detection.

Midway into the game, as he was expanding, he launched an attack at my expo.

My troops came from behind his army, which was mostly Thors, with a few Hellions and Siege Tanks.

I was able to kill off the Hellions rather quickly, and I think I got a few Siege Tanks too. With my superior damage from the Hydras.

Unfortunately the Hydra damage was not denting the Thors.

It looked all he had left were Thors, but a lot of them.

I would say about 12-15 Thors.


They were dropping my Hydras a lot faster than I could count. Next thing I knew my army had diminished to nothing. He proceeded to kill both my expansions, leaving me with none.

At this point I realized I needed Infestors to take control of at least some of the Thors. I thought Hydras would do enough damage, but they die to quick.

I thought Roaches had enough hp, but I don't I had enough.

Looking back Infestors were the call, or possibly Guardians if I had more time.

He won that game, I'm looking forward to the next. Thors can be a real problem for Zerg.

Final Placement Match - Zerg Vs Zerg

Another quick win.

My scout drone was able to turn into a Vespene Geyster than a Spine Crawler, distracting him long enough to get my Zerglings in his base. A long drawn out micro Zergling fight cost him a ton of Drones and lost my my Zerglings. My reinforcements came in for a few followup up battles but his failing mineral supply eventually gave me the victory.

At least this Zerg player was quick enough to scout my Spine Crawler before it finished :)

I went 4-1 in my placements and was placed into the Gold league, I'll be playing more solo tonight and I'll be sure to post on how it goes. Thanks for reading :)

Fourth Placement Match - Zerg Vs Zerg

Another easy win, but I think anyone reading this will enjoy how I did it.

I was worried since this was my first Zerg matchup that I'd be six pooled, so I sent out an early scout.

The Drone didn't scout an early Spawning Pool, so I pretended to leave his base. Then I had it sneak in the back and start up a Spine Crawler, I rallied Six Zerglings down to his base at the same time.

It worked out beautifully, the Spine Crawler finished right as my Zerglings got there to back it up.

A long drawn out fight lost most of his Drones and his Queen, along with my Zerglings and Spine Crawler. I had used my time wisely and had about six Roaches trained at my base. I marched them down for the victory, they encountered his last force of Zerglings and slaughtered them.

An easy win which makes me 3-1 on my placements, I'm going to play another even though I said I wasn't :). I'd like to finish my placements then I'm really taking a break to get some work done.

Third Placement Match - Another Terran Player!

Easy win. He tried to Reaper rush but since he didn't scout he ended up going way around the map and getting spotted first.


I didn't have anything to fear from it anyway, I'd learned my lesson and had a nice batch of Roaches and Zerglings (whose speed I upgraded a little late).

After that I simply went Hydralisks and because of the beautiful base layout was able to Nydus in completely unnoticed with my entire army. His mix of Marauders, Thors, and Medivacs didn't hold up against my superior amount of Hydralisks, Roaches, and Zerglings. I had an expo running for a good while now and his was just getting set up.

A relatively easy win, I expected him to have more troops but he didn't. Ah well had I gone in the front it might have been another story. 2-1 placement matches now, going to go one more then take a break, here goes.

Starcraft 2 - Train With Me

What I want to do with this blog is pretty much like this.

I was a Diamond level Starcraft 2 player during the beta.

Now after a few weeks of not playing, I'm starting all over again.

After each match I play, I will come to this blog and write about it.

I do this not just for you but for me, by writing hopefully I can figure out exactly what I need to learn after each game. Why I lossed, what I should do next time, etc.

The bonus for you is that by reading what I have to say you just might learn something too.

Later on I'll find a way to tack on my replays to these posts so you can watch my games, maybe I'll even commentate some later on.

I've never blogged before, I don't really know what I'm doing, but I thought I'd give it a shot.

Plus I love writing about my Starcraft 2 games, not only does it give me a way to learn, but it gives me a much better way to learn than just forgetting about the games once they are over.

I'm actually 1-1 in my placement matches right now. Both the two matches were verses Terran players. I managed to beat the first with a Mutalisk harassment, but the second had Turreted up just in time, and sent his superior ground army to destroy me.

I put up Spine Crawlers but was a little bit too late with them. His army hit as they were going up, and partially due to bad positioning I lost my forces right as they finished. The Siege Tank, Marauders, and Marines he had made quick work of my forces. Plus he had Vikings to counter my Mutalisks.

Looking back Mutalisk harassment is risky at best. It will work in some games, but if the Terran Turrets, and he should, than I've invested lots of minerals into units which aern't the best fighters.

I hope my next placement match is verses another Terran player. I think my best bet is to go for a macro game. Terran bases are just so difficult to break into, and if they Turret up, which like I said they should, how am I supposed to attack them?

However if I have superior ground forces, they can't leave there base, and I can expand all over the map. Pretty much have free reign and then win in the long run.

I've lost more games trying to end them quick, I have to learn to be more patient.

Anyways if this project interests you let me know in any way possible, I'm going to keep playing and blogging and we'll see if anyone cares :). Either way it will help me learn.