It’s hard to get into the rhythm of Starcraft II and people often forget to do some key things.  This is especially true now that the Beta is widely available and there are lots of new players.  Here is the top ten list of things that players forget to do while playing!

#10: Communicate with your Ally!

First off, it’s always nice to give them a warm “howdy” because you’re going to rely on each other for the entire game.  You can send minerals and they can help you out when you get in a tight squeeze.  As well, coordinating your attacks allows you to efficiently wipe out your opponents.

#9: Set your Control-Keys (Hotkeys)

Always set your base and army for a Ctrl key!  This way, you can always jump back to your base and search an area (if you’re Terran), build units (for Zerg), or use the Chrono-boost ability (if you’re Protoss) without actually having to find and click your base.

#8: Micro-manage

This goes right along with setting your Hotkeys.  Know what part of your army to attack which part of your enemy’s army.  Also, take out the most dangerous units first.  (I’ve seen too many forget this rule that I had to mention it).

#7: Expand

Lack of remembering this is especially common among new players.  Expanding can greatly increase the production speed of your army (mostly because of the extra vespene gas).  As well, aggressively expanding can intimidate your enemies and allow you to not put all your eggs in one basket.

#6: Build Detection

By the time you hear “Nuclear Launch Detected” it is too late to build detection (although Terrans usually have it on hand).  Often, the enemy has something special up their sleeve, such as Dark Templars, or Ghosts, or burrowed Roaches.  You need to build detection so as to catch these units and put an end to the covert-ops.

#5: Don’t Turtle!

There is always an efficient counter to a turtle.  Besides, at the end of the defense-building, you usually have used up most of your minerals and/or have allowed your enemy to get a jump on building a counter.  Despite all my playing, I still not have seen an effective turtle strategy.  The adage is true: the best defense is a good offense.

#4: Never Stop Building!

The best way to win is to defeat your enemy.  That means you need a big army.  That means that if you rest your production for too long, you’re going to get wiped out by the larger army.  It’s that simple, do lots of building.

 

Take note how everything in this shot is building something. You want to always be building something!

#3: Be Aggressive!

Every player learns this lesson the hard way.  Upon watching the replay you think to yourself, “Ah, that’s when/where I should have attacked them!”  Your enemy had an opening and you could have won the game.  Being aggressive can prevent that.  After your enemy attacks you, and you are the victor, it is usually a good idea to attack them.  They no longer have an army and an attack on their base could result in success.  If you are the attacker, you need to keep the pressure up and continue streaming units to the front-line to reinforce your army.  The secret to being aggressive is revealed by #2.

#2: Scout!!

Scouting allows you to know your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and know when they are going to attack.  Your tactical game can be heavily influenced for the better if you know what you’re opponent is up to.  The biggest failures I’ve seen results from players not scouting an area that they are about to attack.  Your opponent might have built detection, or ranged units, or air units, and have now made your attacks useless unless you try a different tactic.  Scouting also gives you early advice about whether they are Teching, rushing, or expanding.  I cannot emphasize this topic enough.  Scouting is the key to winning.

Lots of good players do remember to scout; however, players are most often plagued by the final thing to remember…

#1: Build Supply Depots!

Or, even if you’re not Terran, it’s a good idea to build up your population limit; whether it be Psi, Supply, or Control or risk hearing that dreaded message. Your production will halt and you’ll lose valuable time.  But don’t over do it and build too many and drain your minerals.  Just stay on top of production for the sake of not hearing the “You must construct additional pylons!” message.

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