What's your cycle?

Incomplete.ReV
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Posts: 631

What's your cycle? Apr 19, 2018 16:32:28 GMT noNat[ReV] likes this

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Post by Incomplete.ReV on Apr 19, 2018 16:32:28 GMT

Well, very few of us might really have one at our level. I know I don't have one. So I've been thinking about implementing one. And here are some criteria I've been thinking of setting;

- max 2 seconds per screen (even if I don't really need it, I think I might hop around just to keep the cycle going)
- some micro is so important that I need to overrule the 2 second rule (f.ex. reaver micro PvP)
- When such micro takes place, I need to have a "preparation cycle" where I add things to queue or whatever, and then have more time to spend
- add checking things to the cycle (i.e. making sure I'm not supply blocked, that I haven't forgotten upgrades etc.)

The 2 second rule is not only to force myself to become better at multitasking, but also to constantly be able to check my base, forces and overall have presence in what's going on. By having the preparation cycles added, I think there should be room for micro, however I fear that I might get too caught up on it. So at the very least I need to check the minimap that I'm not getting dropped during the battle, for instance. And also to make sure that I expand, assuming it's time for another expansion and I want to defend it by attacking.

As for the "checking things", I'm not really sure what to do. One thing I thought first, was to check the units - does the High templar have storm? Is there +1 on my zealots? However, that seems like a messy way of doing it. So instead, I reckon it'd be better to keep the tech somewhat centralized in order to check the tech in short procession. BUT the problem here is that if I get dropped or scouted, my opponent will see and/or kill far more than needed. In which case I'd need to split it up a bit more - but twice? Three times? How much can I split it up before it becomes too taxing on my cycle?

I'm playing far too unorganized. My macro sucks, I keep getting supply blocked, I often forget tech, I don't build nearly as many probes as I should. There's so much to work on. And I think implementing a cycle will help me a lot here.

Any thoughts? What's your cycle? If you have one, what criteria do you have or think I should add/remove to those I've already mentioned?

It's okay. I still love you <3

NarsiL.ReV
Global Moderator

Posts: 270

What's your cycle? Apr 19, 2018 17:57:02 GMT

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Post by NarsiL.ReV on Apr 19, 2018 17:57:02 GMT

I think adding a timing with army movements helps. In a general sense, in mid game, u should move your army, a certain amount of times, left and right, and figure out how many, exactly, are needed to check gates and queue more units. example:

- 1a2a3a to the right alternated with left, 4 times = 18 seconds. if u get interrupted, by fighthing or something, just keep a mental note of many movements u did and count 3 seconds per movements u didnt do.
- A zealot takes 18 seconds.
- Check gates after u finnished army movements.
- Important to let the army really reach their location (grants vision and helps u control also "their kamikaze scouters").

i'm not sure I've explained it well, but it's mainly to be more unit involved and less checking base, at mid game. I guess mid game u either build more gates, or finish late game tech, so u don't have to exhaust yourself going main base that much, except for spending money on units. also it helps u avoid, ruining your mineral/gas count. sometimes ppl get that money at a certain point, and forget about the 6th gate they had. so they miss one unit at that building round. ex: 6 gates = 5 goons

I guess it's kinda tricky to get it, but it's something, as i read your post, imagined as a solution.

Cheers

Last Edit: Apr 20, 2018 7:08:22 GMT by NarsiL.ReV

Ask me why I'm a Boss Protoss gettin'zealots
And when I'm stormin' by
Tesagi can't see me!

noNat[ReV]
Clan Member

Posts: 45

What's your cycle? Apr 26, 2018 18:38:32 GMT NarsiL.ReV and theskilfulquail like this

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Post by noNat[ReV] on Apr 26, 2018 18:38:32 GMT

I've been thinking on and off about this matter during a lot of years, i've never actually sat down and planned it out, I THINK THE TIME HAS COME.

Something that i should do and would love to do is doing this excercize in a group, trying to find a general cycle that works for everyone, for each race and practice it together.
Something that adds value to this is the feedback you can get from others trying to apply the same concept to their playstile, since, there are a lot of things to consider when writing down a 1,2,3,4 list of what to do in a crazy game like starcraft.
The suggestion that Inco came with, of having a sort of switch that makes the list take an exception is a good addition that adds flexibility to the whole process.
Adding a sort of timer for movements and or cycle like Narsil said is a tool that can add precision to the list, and make things "click". NICE.
I would look at my own replay to see what my "natural" cycle looks like, to see if there is any...could be just too caotic, and again, analysing more than 1 natural cycle/replay and compare can give us a lot of data to work on. Damn this makes me wet.

I would go about it this way:

1- Write down what you think would be a good 1,2,3,4,5...etc, keep it simple and maybe 1-2 exceptions to the rule (ex in case of drop handle that).
2- Open own replay, is there a natural cycle? Is it so much more different from the one i wrote down? Better? Worst? Why.
3- See other ReV's replays, compare again.
4- See pro replays, is there a cycle there? What interrupts it? Are actions like scout, move army, drop all accupying a definite slot in the cycle or are those just exceptions? Are excpetions always triggered? And by what?
5- Once we can "see" cycles in a game, what brakes it? How do i keep the cycle going in a micro intensive situation? what to prioritize, what to ignore? (in pro games and our games)
6- Now we can compile a list of Exceptions that bend the cycle and write it down.
7- Compare those exceptions, to fine tune the reaction. The best way to do this is probably to go back to replays and take note of those exceptions and try to maybe group them up? Maybe a rule is always there in step 6, after "use larva" and if there is nothing to react to...back to the normal cycle. Maybe.
8- Compare with others that did the same work.
9- Practice cycles inclan.
10- Profit.

Let me know what you guys think! i really like this level of optimization xD

And yeah this is a list to make another list.

Last Edit: Apr 26, 2018 18:42:42 GMT by noNat[ReV]