Nose

Additional Authors: TimeSpiral - Excellent advise on marketing and structuring of the entire document. Also, thanks for the freakin amazing banner!! Cecil from FF4 EPIC! EZPikachu - Great additions to the mechanics section! It wouldn't exist without him.

Last updated: 6/13/2012

Table of Contents [1] Change Log [2] Introduction [2.01] What this document is about [2.02] About goals and how toachieve them [2.03] Thoughts on different ways of learning [2.04] You suck [2.05] Positive Mindset [3] Simple Definitions [4] Improving your Macro [4.01] The Philosophy [4.02] How to choose your build [4.03] How to refine your build [4.04] Common pitfalls in improving macro [5] Improving your Micro [5.01] Distinction between basic and advanced micro [5.02] Micro with bad mechanics [5.03] Microwith good mechanics [6] Improving your Mechanics [6.01] Mouse Control [6.01.1] Mouse Acceleration and Sensitivity [6.01.2] Keyboard, mouse, and hand positioning

[6.01.3] Mouse accuracy and practice games [6.02] Boxing [6.03] Scrolling and save screen position [6.04] Hotkeys and Control Groups [6.05] Minimap Awareness [6.06] Tapping [7] Game sense, Decision making, and Strategy [8] Additionalresources and links

[1] Change Log

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Update: 4/3/2011 - Added onto the refining builds section. Felt that I assumed all players could figure out a pros decision making by watching a replay, and instead included some methods and suggestions on how to learn the purpose, weaknesses, and strengths of builds you are mimicking through trial and error. Update: 4/3/2011 -Added an important note to the mechanics section, search for [6] to find it. Update: 4/3/2011 - Added three more games to section 6.01.3, courtesy of EZPikachu! Update: 4/4/2011 - BANNER! TimeSpiral made me a KICKASS banner! Update: 4/4/2011 - Added VOD to beginning of Mechanics Section 6. Update: 4/4/2011 - Added a clarification to section 4.01. Update: 4/12/2011 - Added important clarificationto section 4.01 for Zerg players. Update: 4/14/2011 - Minor clarification to keyboard direction in section 6.01.2 Update: 4/15/2011 - Updated images in section 5.02 courtesy of TimeSpiral! Update: 5/4/2011 - Referenced Chamenas's map in section 7. Update: 5/5/2011 - Explained in Section 4.01 necessity of using one single race. Update: 5/5/2011 - Fixed false information in section 6.01.1. Update:6/13/2012 – Revamped almost ever section.

[2] Introduction

[2.01] What this document is about

This document aims at giving all players the opportunity to greatly improve their game. Since I’ve followed my own advice here and reached the top of the NA ladder, the content here should be able to get any player to the same level. This document is not about current strategies or trends; it'sabout improving the aspects of gameplay that apply to any player despite current strategies or trends. Please note that you will receive from this document what you put into it. If you practice hard and put great amounts of effort into following this document, you will reap benefits proportional to your efforts.

[2.02] Goals and how to achieve them

You're never going to get anywhere if youdon't know where you're going. Similarly, you'll never get to where you're going if you don't know how to get there. In order to achieve a goal, you first of all have to have a goal. So now ask yourself what your goals are going to be with StarCraft II. Be both realistic and decisive. My goal for myself is to improve as much as I can before college starts. If I get good enough, when the time comes, Ican choose to delay college and play SCII, or go straight into college leaving all hope of professional SCII behind. Now, in order for your goal to be achievable it has to be measureable in some way. I can measure my goal of "improving" by taking a look at my win/loss stats against good players during tournaments and practice sessions. It is absolutely key that whichever goal you choose can be...