StarKraftika EP 12: Practice Session · 2h 16m Watch on YouTube ↗

The video is in Bulgarian. This page sums it up in English.

A live practice session in StarCraft: Remastered: Vulture, Reaver, Storm and Defiler drills on micro maps, then PvP and PvZ games on Fighting Spirit at 200 APM.

G
Borislav "Grast"
Host · StarKraftika Series
In 30 seconds
  • Warm up on micro mapsMicro mapA custom (UMS) map built to drill one skill, such as kiting or splitting workers.: Vultures in three control groupsControl groupsCtrl + a number key saves the selected units or buildings to that key; press it to select them again, twice to jump the camera there. Up to 12 units per group., Reavers and Storms.
  • Screen keysScreen keysF2, F3 and F4 save camera positions (Shift + key to set). One press jumps the screen back to that spot. (F2–F4) move the camera without losing your selected army.
  • Never stop making workers, and send them to a new base right away.

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What this episode covers

  1. Grast opens episode 12: live practice and microMicroControlling individual units in a fight: focus fire, pulling back hurt units, spreading out. training.
  2. Community news: ArxBG turns two and the Bulgarian team Psi Storm (founded as dH][p) turns fifteen.
  3. A UMS micro map drill: Vulture kiting with the Vultures split into three control groups.
  4. Reaver and Shuttle control, and keeping damage low when dropping near Spider Mines.
  5. Placing High Templar for Psionic StormPsionic StormA High Templar spell: a storm that deals 112 damage over a few seconds to every unit in the area, your own included., and the DefilerDefilerThe Zerg spellcaster: Dark Swarm, Plague, and Consume to refill its energy.'s ConsumeConsumeA Defiler ability: it sacrifices an allied Zerg unit to restore 50 energy..
  6. Grast moves to live online games on the most popular competitive map, Fighting Spirit.
  7. A PvP on Fighting Spirit with two Gateways, fast Dragoons and an expansion.
  8. A PvZ on Fighting Spirit opening with a Stargate and a Corsair to scout, then a big Gateway and Archon push.
  9. Screen keys (F2, F3, F4) compared with double-tapping control groups to jump to bases and buildings.
  10. A wrap-up on keeping 200 APMAPMActions per minute: how many commands a player gives. Effective APM leaves out spam clicks. and plans for the next shows.

Test yourself

4 quick questions on this episode.

1. Into how many control groups does Grast split his Vultures?

2. Why are screen keys better than double-tapping a base group?

3. How does Grast open in his PvZ game?

4. Which anniversary of the team Psi Storm is celebrated?

Questions this episode answers

How do I practise Vulture micro in StarCraft: Remastered?

Play UMS micro maps and split your Vultures into two or three control groups (on keys 1, 2, 3). That lets you control the front and back Vultures separately and deal damage while kiting without losing units.

Screen keys or double-tapping control groups to move around the map?

Many players double-tap their base control groups (for example 0, 9, 8), but the screen keys F2, F3 and F4 are faster: they move the camera instantly without changing what you have selected.

What is the Bulgarian team Psi Storm mentioned in the episode?

Psi Storm was founded in August 2004, originally as dH][p, by Grast and his friends. In fifteen years it has played in many Bulgarian and international clan leagues and helped develop Bulgarian StarCraft talent.

Full summary

Episode 12 moves from theory to an intensive live practice session. It is for players of every level who want to improve their hand speed, hotkey use and decisions in real time.

Grast starts with community news: the second anniversary of the ArxBG stream and fifteen years of his team Psi Storm, founded in 2004 as dH][p. The main part has two halves. First come drills on UMS micro maps: Vulture kiting with three control groups, dropping a Reaver from a Shuttle precisely, placing Psionic Storms with High Templar and using a Defiler's Consume. Then he plays real online games on Fighting Spirit.

Grast wins a PvP and a PvZ, shows the difference between moving the camera with a double-tap on a control group and with the screen keys F2, F3 and F4, and keeps up a pace of more than 200 APM throughout.

Keep learning

← Previous guide
EP 11: Focus on Zerg
Micro mapMicro mapA custom (UMS) map built to drill one skill, such as kiting or splitting workers. Vulture Reaver Shuttle Psionic StormPsionic StormA High Templar spell: a storm that deals 112 damage over a few seconds to every unit in the area, your own included. ConsumeConsumeA Defiler ability: it sacrifices an allied Zerg unit to restore 50 energy. Corsair Screen keysScreen keysF2, F3 and F4 save camera positions (Shift + key to set). One press jumps the screen back to that spot. Control groupsControl groupsCtrl + a number key saves the selected units or buildings to that key; press it to select them again, twice to jump the camera there. Up to 12 units per group. APMAPMActions per minute: how many commands a player gives. Effective APM leaves out spam clicks. Fighting SpiritFighting SpiritA four-player map and one of the most played 1v1 maps in Brood War.