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I don't think that there is much doubt that strategy games offer the most satisfying form of PC gaming available. Especially in multiplayer.
Other forms of game, of course, offer you multiplayer aspects, where you can "prove yourself" against friends, foes, or random people on the internet, but it is strategy games that really stand out as a test of person v person skill, strategy, intelligence and determination.
Becoming a strategy wizard, however, is far more difficult to achieve than becoming a Tekken 3 wizard. The possibilities are far less restricted, meaning the variables and possibilities are effectively endless. Now, experience is a good teacher, and playing strategy games until your eyes hurt will certainly get you on the road to success. However, a little help never hurt anyone, so here are a few hints on how to become a tactical genius.
Keystones for strategic success:
1- Know your tech tree
=======================
No game has pointed this out more, in my opinion, than Blizzard's War/StarCraft series. Multiplayer, a key point of victory is knowing which buildings to make, when and where, and which researches to do. The decisions you make here can win or lose you the game. You have to know what you're doing, because if you don't, and your opponent does, you've already lost.
2- Know your statistics
=======================
Obvious really. Be it unit stats for RTS games, or attack/defence bonuses for RPGs, you have to know it all if your to take tactical advantage of anythng. Using StarCraft as an example, you need to know which units can counter which, their strengths, and especially their weaknesses. SC is a prime example here, since it's so well balanced, no one unit is likely to win you every game, since they all have key weaknesses. Splash damage, speed, attack rate, power, shields, hit points, ability (or lack thereof) to attack ground/air based units, abilities, spells all come into the equation. Good use of the different units will always give an advantage.
3- Know your terrain
=====================
The Art of War lays down a number of principles on using terrain to both your advantage, and the enemy's disadvantage. No game pays more attention to these principles than Shogun. Hills, mountains, trees, river crossings, and even weather. Using these against your enemy, or knowing how to prevent your enemy using them against you is a key skill. Force your opponent to cross a mountain range in heavy rain, only to face you in an uphill battle, and you'll be facing fatigued troops at less than half their effective ability. Conversely, avoid attacking in bad weather, and circumvent bad terrain to lay turn your opponents ambush against him.
Battles have to fought somewhere, make sure you are the one who dictates where. Deciding where and when a battles is fought is the first step to victory.
4- Know your formations
========================
As we know, a good unit mix is essential, but throwing those units into the fray without due care can still lead to heavy defeats. Knowing which units to place where, based on what you already know about unit stats and terrain can gain you great advantages. Ranged units to the rear, with strong defensive units infront of them as simple example is a good tactic. March at the enemy who can only hit your front line, and pound them with your ranged units while the defensive units soak up the damage. Having healing units, or a second line of defensive units to switch to only ads to this tactics effectiveness. Having the right units, in the right terrain, set in the right places, and you're ready for battle.
5- Know when to run
====================
Even using all your skill, it's not necessarilly possible to win every encounter. It's often best to pull your units out, so that they can be used more effectively elsewhere, at a later time. That said, sometimes it is worth sacrificing some units to slow an advance, or act as an offensive feint, or to kill off key enemy units. To this end, it is best to be able to concentrate on 2 or more battles at once. Knowing if you will win or lose is one thing, but keeping mind of your overall objectives, and knowing how vital each of your units are is essential knowledge.
6- Know your enemy
===================
Having an extensive knowledge of tactics is great to give you an advantage in any situation. However, you can plan better, prepare better, and build better if you know your opponent. If you know, for example, what his prefered method of attack is, you can prepare defences directly capable of repelling such an assault. If you know how he prefers to defend his base, you can tailor your attacking force to take out the defences with minimal losses. Any knowledge you have is invaluable. Does he like double edged assaults? Does he prefer spell casting units? Does he like swift, powerful attacking, or slow, effective siege tactics? The more you know, the better you can prepare. This manner of thinking is employed by every decent military in the known world.
Go now. Study these teachings, and I'll see you on Battle.net to test you out :P
IB
Other forms of game, of course, offer you multiplayer aspects, where you can "prove yourself" against friends, foes, or random people on the internet, but it is strategy games that really stand out as a test of person v person skill, strategy, intelligence and determination.
Becoming a strategy wizard, however, is far more difficult to achieve than becoming a Tekken 3 wizard. The possibilities are far less restricted, meaning the variables and possibilities are effectively endless. Now, experience is a good teacher, and playing strategy games until your eyes hurt will certainly get you on the road to success. However, a little help never hurt anyone, so here are a few hints on how to become a tactical genius.
Keystones for strategic success:
1- Know your tech tree
=======================
No game has pointed this out more, in my opinion, than Blizzard's War/StarCraft series. Multiplayer, a key point of victory is knowing which buildings to make, when and where, and which researches to do. The decisions you make here can win or lose you the game. You have to know what you're doing, because if you don't, and your opponent does, you've already lost.
2- Know your statistics
=======================
Obvious really. Be it unit stats for RTS games, or attack/defence bonuses for RPGs, you have to know it all if your to take tactical advantage of anythng. Using StarCraft as an example, you need to know which units can counter which, their strengths, and especially their weaknesses. SC is a prime example here, since it's so well balanced, no one unit is likely to win you every game, since they all have key weaknesses. Splash damage, speed, attack rate, power, shields, hit points, ability (or lack thereof) to attack ground/air based units, abilities, spells all come into the equation. Good use of the different units will always give an advantage.
3- Know your terrain
=====================
The Art of War lays down a number of principles on using terrain to both your advantage, and the enemy's disadvantage. No game pays more attention to these principles than Shogun. Hills, mountains, trees, river crossings, and even weather. Using these against your enemy, or knowing how to prevent your enemy using them against you is a key skill. Force your opponent to cross a mountain range in heavy rain, only to face you in an uphill battle, and you'll be facing fatigued troops at less than half their effective ability. Conversely, avoid attacking in bad weather, and circumvent bad terrain to lay turn your opponents ambush against him.
Battles have to fought somewhere, make sure you are the one who dictates where. Deciding where and when a battles is fought is the first step to victory.
4- Know your formations
========================
As we know, a good unit mix is essential, but throwing those units into the fray without due care can still lead to heavy defeats. Knowing which units to place where, based on what you already know about unit stats and terrain can gain you great advantages. Ranged units to the rear, with strong defensive units infront of them as simple example is a good tactic. March at the enemy who can only hit your front line, and pound them with your ranged units while the defensive units soak up the damage. Having healing units, or a second line of defensive units to switch to only ads to this tactics effectiveness. Having the right units, in the right terrain, set in the right places, and you're ready for battle.
5- Know when to run
====================
Even using all your skill, it's not necessarilly possible to win every encounter. It's often best to pull your units out, so that they can be used more effectively elsewhere, at a later time. That said, sometimes it is worth sacrificing some units to slow an advance, or act as an offensive feint, or to kill off key enemy units. To this end, it is best to be able to concentrate on 2 or more battles at once. Knowing if you will win or lose is one thing, but keeping mind of your overall objectives, and knowing how vital each of your units are is essential knowledge.
6- Know your enemy
===================
Having an extensive knowledge of tactics is great to give you an advantage in any situation. However, you can plan better, prepare better, and build better if you know your opponent. If you know, for example, what his prefered method of attack is, you can prepare defences directly capable of repelling such an assault. If you know how he prefers to defend his base, you can tailor your attacking force to take out the defences with minimal losses. Any knowledge you have is invaluable. Does he like double edged assaults? Does he prefer spell casting units? Does he like swift, powerful attacking, or slow, effective siege tactics? The more you know, the better you can prepare. This manner of thinking is employed by every decent military in the known world.
Go now. Study these teachings, and I'll see you on Battle.net to test you out :P
IB
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I feel my skills are improving, I also think I still need to have a bit more practice first, but I have noticed a considerable improvement. I think I'll try playing as and against all races next to try and find out each of their strengths and weeknesses.
hey cipro, how are your skills coming along?
Ready to play kiss chase with the big boys?
Ready to play kiss chase with the big boys?
cipro wrote:
> Thanks for the tip IB, no doubt it will come in very useful when I
> next go on the game. I think I'll leave Starcraft until tomorrow now,
> sinse I'll have more time to play it, and then I can start some more
> practacing.
well, really what I was gonna say except PEACE OUT!
> Thanks for the tip IB, no doubt it will come in very useful when I
> next go on the game. I think I'll leave Starcraft until tomorrow now,
> sinse I'll have more time to play it, and then I can start some more
> practacing.
well, really what I was gonna say except PEACE OUT!
Thanks for the tip IB, no doubt it will come in very useful when I next go on the game. I think I'll leave Starcraft until tomorrow now, sinse I'll have more time to play it, and then I can start some more practacing.
Well, the first problem you'll come across online is the infamous "rush" tactic.
Basically, using your knowledge and speed on the tech tree to optimise the time it take to start churning out your most basic attacking unit, and launch them into action against your opponent. Certainly worth investing in as a pre-emptive defensive gesture as well.
Basically goes as thus:
Protoss (my personal fav...), The Zealot Rush
Zealots, being the toughest of the "basic" units, have given this particular tactic much of the credit it is due. To do the rush, start off gathering minerals, and building more probes, until you have almost reached your untit limit. If you're moving fats enough, by this time, you should (just) have 100 minerals spare. Use this to buy a Pylon. carry on gathering minerals and buying probes until you have 150 minerals, and use this to buy a Gateway. More probes gathering minerals until the Gateway is complete, then build another pylon and a second gateway. You should by now have enough income to build a couple more probes, whilst also beginning to put out some zealots. build a couple more pylons and a third gateway, and then churn out zealots til you have enough for two groups of them, then continue as you were, or send them off on the offensive. If your opponent has gambled that you will sit back and go straight up the tech tree, and has decided to race you up it, he's in for a nasty - and almost unstoppable - surprise.
Similar with terrans, only the unit in question is Marines, and instead of pylons you need "supply depots" and instead of gateways you need "barracks". The advantage with terrans is that marines are a ranged attack unit, the disadvantage being they are easilly slain should the enemy get close enough.
Zerg - again, pylons are now Overlords, and you need the spawning pool before you can build the zergling basic unit. however, in order to spawn them faster, you need more hives, which are more expensive than most other unit producing buildings for the other two races. So the process is a little different.
Start off the same, gathering until you build an Overlord. Then gather some more, and build the spawning pool. now go nuts on resource gathering, and then save up 300 minerals for your second hive (obviously you start with one...). Now you'll want several overlords, since your unit building capacity is formidable. get two or three more, and then churn those zerglings out like your life depends on it.
An intersting poit with the zerg is if you have, say, 4 hives on the screen at once, you can select the larvae from all four of them at once by holding CTRL and clicking on one of the larvae. Now you can command these larvae (as many as 12 at once) to all change into the same unit simultaneously. Much faster than going through the building menus, or trying to draw a box around the larvae, only to catch a stray unit in there.
Basically, using your knowledge and speed on the tech tree to optimise the time it take to start churning out your most basic attacking unit, and launch them into action against your opponent. Certainly worth investing in as a pre-emptive defensive gesture as well.
Basically goes as thus:
Protoss (my personal fav...), The Zealot Rush
Zealots, being the toughest of the "basic" units, have given this particular tactic much of the credit it is due. To do the rush, start off gathering minerals, and building more probes, until you have almost reached your untit limit. If you're moving fats enough, by this time, you should (just) have 100 minerals spare. Use this to buy a Pylon. carry on gathering minerals and buying probes until you have 150 minerals, and use this to buy a Gateway. More probes gathering minerals until the Gateway is complete, then build another pylon and a second gateway. You should by now have enough income to build a couple more probes, whilst also beginning to put out some zealots. build a couple more pylons and a third gateway, and then churn out zealots til you have enough for two groups of them, then continue as you were, or send them off on the offensive. If your opponent has gambled that you will sit back and go straight up the tech tree, and has decided to race you up it, he's in for a nasty - and almost unstoppable - surprise.
Similar with terrans, only the unit in question is Marines, and instead of pylons you need "supply depots" and instead of gateways you need "barracks". The advantage with terrans is that marines are a ranged attack unit, the disadvantage being they are easilly slain should the enemy get close enough.
Zerg - again, pylons are now Overlords, and you need the spawning pool before you can build the zergling basic unit. however, in order to spawn them faster, you need more hives, which are more expensive than most other unit producing buildings for the other two races. So the process is a little different.
Start off the same, gathering until you build an Overlord. Then gather some more, and build the spawning pool. now go nuts on resource gathering, and then save up 300 minerals for your second hive (obviously you start with one...). Now you'll want several overlords, since your unit building capacity is formidable. get two or three more, and then churn those zerglings out like your life depends on it.
An intersting poit with the zerg is if you have, say, 4 hives on the screen at once, you can select the larvae from all four of them at once by holding CTRL and clicking on one of the larvae. Now you can command these larvae (as many as 12 at once) to all change into the same unit simultaneously. Much faster than going through the building menus, or trying to draw a box around the larvae, only to catch a stray unit in there.
Well I've had a go against some of the computer A.I. in the game, and I forgot how hard playing the game can be. I tried the no fog cheat, and did pick up some valuable hints off the computer.
I always tended to build things slowly first, but after watching the opposing team, I can see that takeing things slowly will benifit the enemy more, especially if they can build faster.
I've still got a long way to go until I'm confident enough to go online though, though hopefully all this practacing will pay off.
I always tended to build things slowly first, but after watching the opposing team, I can see that takeing things slowly will benifit the enemy more, especially if they can build faster.
I've still got a long way to go until I'm confident enough to go online though, though hopefully all this practacing will pay off.
worth pointing out that the PC player in StarCraft always has full visibility of the map, and so isn't prone to falling for feints...
A little hint, but it could prove to be very useful. I'm off now to reinstall Starcraft and Brood war, so I'll these hints a go and see if they help me out. Got to get enough practice for the multiplayer before I start going online, I'll be slaughtered otherwise.
A clever way of determining the fastest way up the tech tree is to watch the computer do it. Playing StarCraft, go single player and create a custom skirmish, just you versus one computer player.
As soon as the game starts, press enter and type blacksheepwall (can't remember if that has spaces in it or not...) then press enter. This will reveal the entire map, with no fog of war. Now you can just sit and watch which buildings and units the PC produces, and in what order.
Just my little hint.
As soon as the game starts, press enter and type blacksheepwall (can't remember if that has spaces in it or not...) then press enter. This will reveal the entire map, with no fog of war. Now you can just sit and watch which buildings and units the PC produces, and in what order.
Just my little hint.
As much as I love strategy game, it must be said that I haven't really experienced them online. I only got connected last November, and have been on online shoot em ups most of the time sinse then.
I'm going to need allot of practice if I want to start strategy games online, and some of the points you raised here IB could help me allot. I'll be reinstalling Starcraft tomorrow, and starting to practice for some online skirmishes, which won't be easy. Still, It should be well worth it in the long run.
I'm going to need allot of practice if I want to start strategy games online, and some of the points you raised here IB could help me allot. I'll be reinstalling Starcraft tomorrow, and starting to practice for some online skirmishes, which won't be easy. Still, It should be well worth it in the long run.
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