Just wanna be a fan.

[forefront]

Okay SC2 guys, help the noob out. As exciting as it is to watch SC2 streams, I have a problem. If there is no commentary, I have no idea what's happening. Sometimes, the commentary isn't even enough, and I feel like I'm missing out on some of the excitement.

So, I wanna pick up SC2. I don't really like to play strategy games, but I wanna play long enough to know what's up. How long do you think that might take? If I borrow it from someone and play the campaign will I be good? Should I buy it and put in some matchmaking or whatever? LMK, I'd appreciate it.

[Araneatrox]

If you are around when i get off work i will run you through the basics and what is going on. Add me on Skype

Bloodlustian

[nikdaquick1219]

I started watching streams a rebroadcasts with commentary around late May and i can now say (without playing the game at all) i understand a fairly large amount of the gameplay and strategy.


Edit: Btw this is the best site you can ask for to learn SC 2


http://www.teamliquid.net/

[chris_cr33p]

i started by watching gameplay from all the pros. here are some commentators that got me thru this same barrier as you.

Husky: commentator that explains a lot, especially in his older videos.
http://www.youtube.com/user/HuskyStarcraft

Force: this is a guy that helps you out with build orders, scouting, responses to what you scout, how to do a lot of miner things.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ForceSC2strategy

Day 9: commentator for MLG events and has a great personality and talk shows.
http://www.youtube.com/user/day9tv

[gwhit518]

Honestly, if your not really gunna play the game you can learn all you need to know from really paying attention when watching a stream. The basic concept of the game is simple (get money, build stuff, make army, attack enemy) so the more you watch the more you'll understand about why a player does a certain thing. However watching a player like WhiteRa wont help you because he plays a very different and unique style to other Protoss', find some streams on www.TeamLiquid.net and watch! Once you get a nice basic understanding of the game Day[9] is your best option. He understands the game better than anyone and conveys his understanding very well. Go find VoD's for TSL3, Dreamhack, MLG etc and watch and listen because those casts are very much centered around telling you what is happening rather than why its happening. Once you understand why a player builds the Barracks before his factory and simple things like that, you can really begin to understand the strategy and mental aspect.

Bottom line, buy the game if you'll enjoy playing it, if you want an understanding so you can enjoy MLG events than its no necessary.

[Toomuchmooin]

Play the camp (it's super fun), do some MM and watch some Husky and you will understand the game. But when you actually play you might become more than a fan, it's something I'm dubbing this the Starcraft Effect.

[Ladnil]

Best possible thing is to get help from someone who already knows what's going on. And watch some day9.tv newbie tuesday videos for the basic level tips, or if you aren't ready for semi-serious mode, just watching funday monday videos is hysterically funny and you'll pick up a few tips along the way.

When you do get the game make sure to turn on the clock, building grids, and hotkeys showing in the options menu.

[Antidote]

The biggest part in learning the game is knowing what all the units and buildings are. Which can sometimes be hard learning unless you actually have played the game. It is possible though. I would just suggest watching anything off Day9.tv. Or anything else that's already been suggested. Just learn it however you feel is best suited for you.

[itwuzmagik]

Took me about a week to soak in a lot of what is going on in the game of course there is more to learn than just that but thanks to Araneatrox i made platinum league in 2v2's :) and no i didn't get carried.

[phreekopath]

I hate to condone this, but...

Perhaps consider "obtaining" a copy of StarCraft:BroodWar (the old starcraft)

If cracked, it should support lan/local only play. You can set up games vs the CPU. A lot of the buildings and units transfer over, or have similar traits to new sc2 units. That way you haven't spent any money, you can learn at your own pace, and you don't even need a big honkin' computer to run it.

Most of what i know and understand about sc2 has moved over from sc:bw, in combination with watching streams. I feel like i'm up there with some high level players, as far as understanding the mechanics goes, my fingers just are nowhere near as fast. I think since you're not really interested in playing it a lot, but more about just knowing what's happening, it would be a decent route to take.

[Araneatrox]

I hate to condone this, but...

Perhaps consider "obtaining" a copy of StarCraft:BroodWar (the old starcraft)

If cracked, it should support lan/local only play. You can set up games vs the CPU. A lot of the buildings and units transfer over, or have similar traits to new sc2 units. That way you haven't spent any money, you can learn at your own pace, and you don't even need a big honkin' computer to run it.

Most of what i know and understand about sc2 has moved over from sc:bw, in combination with watching streams. I feel like i'm up there with some high level players, as far as understanding the mechanics goes, my fingers just are nowhere near as fast. I think since you're not really interested in playing it a lot, but more about just knowing what's happening, it would be a decent route to take.

I cannot condone that.

Get the Sc2 Demo

[Antidote]

Gonna have to agree with Aran. Don't try and learn off the older game. It's like telling someone to pick up a copy of Halo: CE in order to learn MLG style Reach. Just doesn't work. Also try to focus watching streams that are just 1v1s. Team matches play so differently and diamond in teams games is pretty much the equivalent to bronze league in 1s.

[SullyVan]

Okay SC2 guys, help the noob out. As exciting as it is to watch SC2 streams, I have a problem. If there is no commentary, I have no idea what's happening. Sometimes, the commentary isn't even enough, and I feel like I'm missing out on some of the excitement.

So, I wanna pick up SC2. I don't really like to play strategy games, but I wanna play long enough to know what's up. How long do you think that might take? If I borrow it from someone and play the campaign will I be good? Should I buy it and put in some matchmaking or whatever? LMK, I'd appreciate it.

I'm in the same boat as you! but there seems to be alot of good reply's so far so looks like were gonna learn quickly! haha

[forefront]

Thanks guys for the responses. I'm going to look into the demo. I assume that it's free.