Gamers itching for a new RTS experience might want to dabble into Blizzard‘s StarCraft. Opposite WarCraft‘s fantasy premise lies StarCraft and its compelling narrative involving the fate of the entire galaxy. Moreover, StarCraft‘s fast-paced approach towards base-building and unique unit mechanics paved the way to an evolution of modern RTS titles.
However, fans who want to try StarCraft and its sequel StarCraft 2 might feel a bit overwhelmed with how some of its mechanics differ from other turn-based RTS and other 4X games. Essentially, what should newcomers expect from StarCraft? Moreover, what might newcomers deem challenging about Blizzard’s hallmark sci-fi RTS?
10 Enemy Movements Become Unpredictable
One of the most common complaints in StarCraft multiplayer has to do with how enemies just “do everything faster” than everyone else. Interestingly, enemies aren’t necessarily using cheat software for this. However, just how do they get to make their movements too quickly? Technically-speaking, either they want to dictate the flow of battle, or they’ve scouted the player and the latter didn’t notice.
Essentially, players need to be mindful of not just what they’re doing, but of what their opponents do as well. It’s not unethical to send in a scout or two just to get a “sense” of what the enemy is doing with their faction. Remember, factions can approach battles differently, and knowing which is what can greatly help with strategy. For instance, if a Zerg base still doesn’t have significant structures five minutes in, the enemy is likely going for a Zerg rush.
9 Keyboard Movement Too Slow
New players of StarCraft – especially highly-competitive StarCraft 2 – might find themselves easily overwhelmed by more experienced players in Multiplayer – be it via Zerg rushes or other harassment-reliant strategies. Sadly, newcomers barely have time to react against these situations – what exactly should they do?
Unfortunately, being “too slow” in multiplayer comes from a wide variety of factors. However, newcomers should perhaps always keep in mind something pros call the APM or actions-per-minute. Essentially, the better understanding players have over their faction‘s structures, units, and core mechanics, the more their APM, and therefore the faster they move in a match. This tip also works with most strategies pros have for newbies who want to get more competitive.
8 Builds Don’t Follow The Timetable
As an RTS, players should expect all sorts of factors to affect their performance in battle – such as timing and speed. Unfortunately, even players with a great build order can see their units “not following” schedule – a unit gets produced too late, the base gets attacked before a crucial structure is formed. Sadly, what should players do against a faulty timeline? Interestingly, players can solve this with proper positioning.
Players who want to follow build orders or other strategies need to remember that these notes assume that they’re always in their best position to do anything. In turn, players need to make their base convenient for their build order in mind. Essentially, players should always put HQ as near as resources as possible. Moreover, players should take advantage of improved battle features such as smartcasting and waypoints to better control their units.
7 Resource Spending Blocked By Enemy Attack
It’s a very common game tactic for players to gather a lot of resources before going all out on their expenditure. Unfortunately, fast-paced games such as StarCraft punish players who spend too much time gathering resources – as this means they’ve neglected improving their structures and their units. Essentially, players should always maximize the resources they earn and spend towards something meaningful throughout the match.
As a rule of thumb, players should avoid queuing up a lot of units and instead prioritize what they need at the moment. Moreover, players should avoid queuing upgrades too early into the game and instead reserve them for when there are multiple buildings of the same time to research upgrades at the same time.
6 Panicking When Under Attack
As a fast-paced game, StarCraft demands players to know exactly what they need to do in any given situation. Unfortunately, such pressure might cause players to panic in the middle of a battle and lose the match. To avoid this, players shouldn’t just anticipate enemy movements but also know what to do to avoid losses as much as possible.
For instance, players should consider the idea of acceptable losses, especially if they can benefit from the situation. For instance, players should cancel a building’s construction if they know it won’t last an incoming attack. That way, they can refund 75-percent of the total cost. Likewise, players should unload as many units as possible if their transport is under attack.
5 Zerg Rush Is Becoming Too Annoying
Players with a better battle sense and optimized build order might be constantly on their timer that they didn’t expect a Zerg rush just pummeling through their defenses. Moreover, annoying Banshees and Dark Templars from other players might be leading an assault against them. Even the perfect build order can’t withstand an irritating fast assault – so what now?
Unfortunately, this all comes down to how to prepare defenses. Players should avoid putting turrets and other defenses on the edge of the base, as units can ignore them. Rather, players should place defenses near their structures. Moreover, players should prioritize structures and abilities that have innate detection abilities to avoid any stealth-based attacks – making Observers, Overseers, and Ravens perfect for the job.
4 Enemy Attacks While Regrouping
One of the worst situations for StarCraft newcomers is to suffer defeat right after losing a skirmish. After all, how can a player who just lost a battle defend the base from an all-out assault? Thing is, players need to avoid “timed attacks” – or attacks best done under specific situations. For instance, defenders who just defended their base can almost always expect little resistance against an attacking player who just lost a battle.
In turn, players always need to anticipate what their opponent might do to take advantage of any mishaps happening to them in the game. For example, players about to attack an enemy should always bolster their defenses at home. Likewise, players can prepare a second wave of attackers to attack the enemy base as soon as they try to make a timed attack and leave their base undefended.
3 Focus Fire Not Working
Players who love RTS would notice that focus fire isn’t always an optimal strategy in StarCraft 2, which can make most encounters difficult. After all, how else should players counter large tanks and Mutalisks if not with sheer force? Interestingly, players should avoid focus firing and instead prioritize positioning.
For instance, players might find more use for their units if they split forces to engage multiple types of enemies. Likewise, players should position units to lure heavier enemies and noteworthy units away from their defensive positions or home base.
2 Expanding Leaves Bases Vulnerable
In StarCraft 2, players who make use of the most resources win the battle. As such, a lot of pros often rely on expanding their forces to tap into more resources and units. Unfortunately, some players find it difficult to defend two bases at once. Moreover, a player who wants to expand might find their Primary Base useless since it’s run out of resources.
Essentially, players who want to expand should remember three key principles. First, they should expand as soon as they have the resources for an extra base. Second, all their bases should be as close to resources as possible to maximize income. Lastly,
1 The Build Order Isn’t Working
Like other RTS games, players consider StarCraft as mostly a game reliant on timing. Sometimes, battles fall down to who can press which buttons the fastest. In turn, build orders become a godsend for players who want to dominate their local competitive scene. However, what should players do if a build order isn’t working? Essentially, players shouldn’t worship the build order, period.
Remember, a build order shouldn’t dictate the precise strategy a player should take against a particular opponent. Instead, players need to be flexible enough to tinker with their build order as soon as they notice it’s not working for them. Thankfully, players can do this much easier the more they get to be familiar with their chosen faction.
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