Tips for Starcraft 2 Noobs
by Jenni on Nov.14, 2011, under Misc.
The starcraft basics are easy to learn, but it can take a lifetime to master (as cliché as that sounds). In order to compete with the pros, professional gamers have to put in hours a day of practice and strategy to keep up. But what if you’re just starting out?
Straight from the experts themselves, these tips and tricks might not be able to help you specialize your gaming tactics, but they can help you improve your overall gaming experience.
Starcraft tips and pointers for beginners
Put in the Time: Although starcraft 2 can be a fun way to unwind at the end of the day, absent mindedly clicking on your units isn’t going to give you that extra edge in an online competition. This game requires careful thought and strategy, and if you don’t put in the time to practice, you’ll never improve.
Stay healthy: On the other hand, many gamers tend to obsess – taking their gaming hours to the extreme and blowing off 5 or more hours a night in lengthy gaming sessions, which simply isn’t healthy. You’ll need a balance your time both on and offline, and if you’re not eating right or exercising regularly, you won’t be able to think clear enough to fight off that next invasion.
Watch and Learn: There’s a reason that starcraft 2 is becoming one a spectator sport – you can gain a greater perspective of gameplay by watching the experts. Attend a few conventions or watch your buddies in an epic LAN party. The more you watch, the more you can pick up on essential gaming tactics.
Harvesters = Money: The more harvesters you have, the more money you’ll make. Money will buy you units, buildings, and everything you need to make your armies, so it’s essential to keep making those harvesters.
Don’t hoard: Spending all your cash can leave you unable to purchase new units precisely when you need them, but if you have over 3000 minerals just sitting there then you don’t understand the point. In order to up the competition, you have to expand, so spend your resources on making harvesters, units, and structures. (1000 typically a good bench mark)
Final Thoughts
Simply have fun. Starcraft 2 is meant to be a social experience, so take time to get to know your “enemy.” If you aren’t having fun with the competition, then you won’t have a lot of fun in general. Don’t take yourself so seriously, and feel free to mess around with a crazy new tactic. If you don’t keep it fun, then there’s no point in playing the game.
Good luck!
Latest Heart of Swarm Developments
by Jenni on Oct.28, 2011, under Misc.
We’ve been expecting it for months now, and ever since its announcement back in May, the Heart of the Swarm Expansion pack has been keeping gamers and fans speculating about and hoping for its finer plot points. Recently, Matt Morris and Brian Kindregan from the Starcraft II development team unveiled the latest details about the new expansion.
From what we know now, the new expansion picks up where the story left off, with Raynor and Sarah reunited, and Mengsk returning to the shadows – his plan temporarily thwarted. Intestinally, Kerrigan is on the warpath with her brood but her reasons are a mystery until the game’s release.
Although game mechanics are still basically the same, you’ll now be able to play over 20 mind-boggling missions. In the expansion, you’ll help Kerrigan rebuild her brood, and it will up to you to decide how they evolve, choosing unique evolutions that will take you to remote locations to obtain the genetic code needed to advance. Throughout the campaign, your individual decisions will determine whether or not you’ll achieve success.
For example: you’ll be able to choose which genetic code you wish to splice into your zergling brood. One choice would be to join with a queen on a remote world who’s evolved her zerglings to hatch rapidly and spawn three zerglings per cocoon, splicing their strains into your brood, while another choice would be to attack and integrate indigenous leaping creatures, harvesting their DNA so your zerglings can grow wings and leap as well. Through a series of 14 skirmishes, you’ll be able to test each of their strengths in order to help you choose wish genetic code will ultimate help you rule the galaxy.
Some Extras
If Heart of Swarm has you gripping the edge of your desk with anticipation, then perhaps these cinematic cutscenes can help ease the tension. Created by the fans at StarCraft Legacy, these awesome clips are sure to tickle your fancy.
Expansion Teaser Images Released
by Jenni on Oct.11, 2011, under Misc., Terran, Zerg
If you’ve ever seen the teasers for Pokemon Black and White, then you might suspect that the above image was a newly caught legendary. Luckily for us, it isn’t.
Recently Blizzard has released this oh-so-appealing silhouette for its upcoming StarCraft 2 expansion: heart of the Swarm. These shadowy forms will be the upcoming additions to the Zerg and Terran units, and though information is limited, hype about the new expansion back is on the rise.
Without any references for comparison, it’s difficult to determine how big or small these soldiers really are, or if these warriors are highly armored infantry or mech-sized robots. But according to one facebooking fan, “Oh please let it be the Hydraroach. . .”
Press Release
Blizzard also released the following information to their press sites, giving just enough of a nibble for hardcore fans to start speculating details:
“As war rages across the galaxy, the terran, zerg, and protoss are all vying for supremacy in the Koprulu sector. When StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm is released, all three races are sure to unleash new weapons of war as they adapt to changing conditions and tactics on the battlefield.
Blizzard will showcase new multiplayer units and abilities for StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm at BlizzCon. For those that can’t wait, we’ll offer a teaser silhouette of one new unit on the official StarCraft Facebook page each week for the next three weeks. The first one, a new terran unit, is already featured.
New silhouettes for the zerg and protoss will be unveiled on the official StarCraft Facebook page on October 10 and October 17, respectively. What are they, and how do they fight? The answers will come at BlizzCon. These three units, as well as the rest of the new Heart of the Swarm multiplayer units and abilities, will be unveiled and playable at the show on October 21 and 22.”
The StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm expansion is part 2 in the planned Starcraft trilogy. Estimated release date is April 2012.
StarCraft II, Tournament Updates
by Jenni on Sep.21, 2011, under Misc.
Over a decade ago, video games were considered a closet sport: good for entertaining little kids, but frowned upon if you were an adult still living in your parents’ basement.
Now, video gaming has spread to a much wider audience, becoming a professional sport among serious players, and an entertaining spectacle for those less skilled in the art of strategy and ninja-quick reflexes.
Leading the way in massive multiplayer entertainment is StarCraft II, more stimulating than football, more puzzling than chess, and more addictive than mountain dew.
Recently, Blizzard Entertainment hosted an invitational tournament featuring the top eight players of South East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. With over $13,000 in prize pool money and tickets to for the top spots at BlizzCon, the reward for winning would be any gamer’s dream come true.
The event was streamed live to spectators all over the world, but unfortunately, it wasn’t open to just anyone. In order to compete, players were randomly seeded into a double-elimination bracket, wheedling out the weak until only the best survived.
The Competition
• Andrew “m00nGLaDe” Pender
• Thomas Sung Jun “xGKing.JazBas” Cho
• Thanapol “RedArchon” Kuachart
• Timothy “nGen.MaFia” Lei He
• Daniel “TADeth” Haynes
• David “TARossi” Rossi
• Zi Ray “nGen.Light” Wang
• Yojun “YoonYJ” Yun
The Winners?
After hours of game time, m00nGLaDe and JazBas came out on top, earning their seats on the world stage at BlizzCon later this year.
Your time to shine?
If you live in the San Francisco Bay area, then now might be your time to shine as the next Starcraft King. NVIDIA recently announced its own StarCraft 2 tournament, and additional Barcraft events will be held September 29 from 6 to 9 pm.
The stakes?
Nearly $22,000 dollars in cash and rewards for doing something you love. This tournament will host more than 9,300 players, giving each a chance to compete of the next 12 weeks to prove their Starcraft skills. The final championship matches will be streamed live at GeForce.com and Twitch.t.v.
Unfortunately, registration for the amateur tournament is already closed, but you can catch up on the current Pro/Am Tournament here.
What to Expect from the StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Expansion
by admin on Jul.06, 2011, under Misc., Zerg
The first expansion apart from the base version of StarCraft II, “Heart of the Swarm” is set to take place four years after the Brood war. Sarah Kerrigan as the Zerg leader is now being called “The Queen of Blades” has silently moved the Swarm to the planet, Char. Raynor has formed a group of rebels called Raynor’s Raiders, who are all set to bring down Emperor Mengsk.
Raynor becomes aware of some mysterious valuable and scientific objects created by the Meobius Foundation. He learns that the Queen of Blades is also after these objects, and the Zerg initiate several attacks. Later, Raynor meets the Protoss leader whom by way of magical chystals shares his memories with Raynor, who sees Zeratul searching for a prophesy about a hybrid of the Zerg and the Protoss.
All hell breaks loose from there. For more information you can search for more fan sites or watch the previews that have been released. The game expansion very likely won’t be released until April 2011. Until then, you can enjoy the base game and watching the game previews online. The graphics look really good, and the plot works sounds intriguing enough to keep all Starcraft fans on their toes until the release date.
Heart of the Swarm
by admin on Jun.22, 2011, under Misc.
Heart of the Swarm has recently been announced by Blizzard along with a bunch of concept art, screen shots, and video teasers. I have to say that it looks pretty cool. It is still early and knowing Blizzard, they haven’t given us too much. Just enough to set our gamer hearts salivating. Here are some things we do know.
Story
After watching some of the interviews with the game developers, it appears that they are keeping pretty tight-lipped about what is happening in the story at this point. From what we can tell, Kerrigan some how escapes from or is freed by Jim Raynor and begins her quest to become the Queen of Blades again. Since her absence, the Swarm has splintered into warring broods led by rogue queens wanting to start their own hive worlds. The single player will revolve around Kerrigan’s rise back to power as the leader of the Zerg and the regaining of her powers. Whether she will use them for good or evil is still a mystery.
Multiplayer
For those looking into what HotS means for Multiplayer, the developers are also keeping their cards close to the chest on that front too. When asked if their will be new units, Dustin Browder, the lead guy on SC2 said that it isn’t a guarantee that every race will get new units. He said some races might get new upgrades and that’s it. He also hinted at replacing units and removing some that were not being used on the ladder and in major competitions. Specifically, he mentioned the Overseer may get put on the chopping block, saying that no one would really miss it that much if they put something else in its place.
There is currently no release date for Heart of the Swarm but apparently it is rumored for the first quarter of 2012. Knowing Blizzard, there is no guarantee. But in any case, we can’t wait to get out hands on it.
Spanishiwa Zerg
by admin on Jun.08, 2011, under Zerg
Spanishiwa (Spah-nee-shee-wah) is taking the StarCraft 2 scene by storm. This American is quickly clawing his way to be one of the most entertaining players out there. With his unique and dominating play style, he is becoming one of the community’s most popular Zergs. He may not yet be as well known as Idra but he is certainly more loved. His well mannered play and creative builds have made him a fan favorite whose following now rivals TLO.
Single-handedly, Spanishiwa is starting to change the Zerg meta game. If more players start adopting his style of play, Zerg is going to have to be nerfed or something because when he is on, he is unstoppable. They key to Spanishiwa’s success is delaying the purchase of attacking units for AS LONG AS POSSIBLE and delaying gas.
During the early game, he goes for about a 13 hatch, 14 pool. He starts pumping drones and queens immediately but pretty much ignores zerglings. With the drones he sets up plenty of spine crawlers, usually three or four, to guard his main and his natural. This helps keep off hellion and marine pressure.
To defend against the air, Spanishiwa goes heavy on queens, sometimes building as many as five or six. They keep the skies clear of banshees or void rays that try to sweep in around the late stages of the early game to punish a zerg’s macro. So many queens can transfuse one another as well as spine crawlers to make your initial defense very strong.
This strong early game queen and spin crawler play can help a Zerg macro like a monster, pumping out a crapload of drones that will give a player the economic edge against most other builds. Once economic dominance is secured, Spanishiwa gets some geysers then expands and then pumps tons of zerglings and techs up to infestor. This combo is usually enough to get him the game but if the match goes long enough, he ends up transitioning into Ultralisks so his armor and melee attack upgrades can transfer over. Check him out on Youtube to see just how dominant his play style is becoming.
Ghosts Against Zerg
by admin on May.24, 2011, under Terran
After the recent patches, I have seen more and more Zerg start going ling/baneling/infestor and then ultraslisk instead of the old standard of muta/baneling. The backbone of the evolving Zerg army is the Infestor. Its fungal growth is a nightmare for Terran bio and its neural parasite is can stop a heavy mech assault in its track. I have watched several pro-level replays where players use Infestors going unchecked as they whittle down marines and then mind control tanks to turn a Terran army against itself. Can this versatile unit in the Zerg aresenal be stopped?
The answer is yes but it seems most Terran players are too lazy to do so. The key to countering Infestors is the Terran Ghost. Currently, Ghosts are most used against Protoss. Their EMP negates shields and giving other Terran units the window they need to power down the Protoss enemy. However, their usefulness does not stop with TvP. Ghosts have multiple spells that can nullify an Infestor’s contributions to the Zerg Swarm but we still don’t see them used that often. Let’s just take a look at the things that could make a Ghost effective in TvZ.
Snipe: Last time I checked, Snipe deals 45 damage. That means two successive snipes should will take down an infestor nearly instantly. In order to get close enough to use snipe, you may need to use cloak. Just make sure that you get the energy upgrade and plenty of Ghosts to make sure you have enough sniper rounds to get the job done.
EMP: Perhaps a more economical expenditure of energy for a Ghost would be using EMP’s on Infestor. This will take away 100 energy leaving the monsters without enough power to use neural parasite or multiple fungal growths.
Nukes: Though this may not counter the Infestor directly, nukes could be better used as a mining deterrent. Most Terrans know that in order to be Zerg they need to harass and kill or stop workers. Nukes may not catch any drones but it could effectively stop mining at one of the Zerg’s many expansions.
Using Ghosts against Zerg is still in its infancy. It is taking quite some time for players to adopt its use in that match up. But as the game goes forward I think it will be key for Terrans to learn how to leverage the Ghost’s abilities in order to survive the tide of Zerg units.
Starcraft 2 Review
by admin on May.03, 2011, under Misc., Protoss, Terran, Zerg
I played Starcraft for years. It was one of my first games, and it was one of the longest running RTS-based tournament games of all time. I do believe that original Starcraft tournaments are still held today, but obviously not as many of them. I remember playing in tournaments for Brood War, some of the most exciting gaming experiences of my life. Blizzard has been doing what they do for an extremely long time and it shows when you look at the quality of their games. The balance in Starcraft was what amazed me. Along three different races with about twelve units each race, it had to have been a challenge to keep it balanced across the wide range of maps you could play on. Starcraft 2 did NOT
disappoint in this regard. The new units were fun to learn about and learn to use in strategy or counter them. I’m primarily a Zerg player, though I’ve always been very good at Protoss. One of my favorite things about the new game is the new model/use for the queen. If you remember making 12-14 hatcheries in a long game, you remember that it could be tedious. This has been drastically reduced by the fact that queens can not only spawn the additional larva, but they can stack. This means that though the speed at which you generate Larva is decreased, there isn’t a cap, and it definitely isn’t 3. This means that when your supply is maxed out you can essentially have your entire army stacked up waiting on about one minute or less of build time. This is easily one of my favorite things about zerg, and one of my favorite things about the game. My favorite thing they added to Protoss is the Chrono boost. While not as micro-dependent as the Zerg’s queen, this huge boost to a Protoss player is an amazing balance change that takes the game a little more out of simple building/unit strategy and puts emphasis on build priority, also adding flexibility to certain early game features of the race. My favorite thing about Terran would have to be the reactor. With the huge buff they’ve given to the marine, you can’t argue that the reactor has got to be one of the biggest buffs they’ve ever given to the Terran race. You can pump out marines so quickly that it’s staggering, even keeping up with Zerg and their ability to pump out units. I plan to get more in depth about the game and some strategies each week, this has just been an overview of the newest edition to the Blizzard Starcraft legacy: Wings of Liberty.
StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty
by admin on Mar.28, 2011, under Misc.
The new beta testing for StarCraft 2.
Just as we experienced here in the United States, mainland China is about to undergo a beta testing period for StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty. Ever since striking a deal back in 2008, Blizzard and NetEase have been working to bring the game to the country–on March 29, that deal will come to fruition.
Anxious gamers in the region can pre-load the beta client–provided they have a Battle.net account or at least a willingness to register–which will grant access to all of StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty’s multiplayer modes. Upon the conclusion of the unspecified beta period, Blizzard and NetEase will launch the game commercially, allowing players to buy 30-day access passes to the game for a suggested price of RMB 20 ($3.04). It’s in line with a pricing structure that Blizzard outlined a year ago.
http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/starcraft-2-open-beta-begins-in-china-on-march-29/
