Zerg Video Lesson ZvP with iNcontrol

For zerg players that struggle with ZvP and want a little more insight into the match-up, bitters has an awesome VOD lesson with iNcontrol.

You can find the stream here.

Source: Mr. Bitters' Channel

Zerg Instructional Videos with EG.Machine

If you're a zerg player struggling in starcraft 2 with timings, build orders, etc and are in platinum+ and want to get to diamond, then these videos may really help you. I know they helped me a lot.

The instructional videos go into ZvP, ZvZ, and ZvT build orders, timings, and how to handle particular situations and enemy build orders.

ZvZ Instructional Video with EG.Machine

ZvP Instructional Video with EG.Machine

ZvT Instructional Video with EG.Machine

Thanks to Mr. Bitter for providing these awesome videos and supporting the community. He's a really fantastic guy and I love listening to his broadcast.

Source: Mr. Bitter's Stream

Terran Build Order: Korean 2-Rax Marine SCV Rush

Description: The 2 Barracks Marine and SCV rush is a build that has been around for some time, but has seen an incredible amount of success in GSL 3 from a professional player named Boxer (aka Foxer). The build can be effective against all three match-ups, but is most effective against Terran, Zerg, and is incredibly aggressive. Depending on the amount of SCVs pulled off the mineral line, a player may or may not be able to transition into other builds.

Terran Starcraft 2 Build Order: Fast Expand Four Banshee Build

Description: The purpose of the Fast Expand Four Banshee Build Order is to take advantage of a Protoss players weak anti-air and lack of detection. I would argue that the strongest anti-air a Protoss player has is the Stalker, while the only detection they have is the observer or photo cannon. 

Your army will consist primarily of marines, a couple of ravens, and banshees. The raven exists to negate the stalkers with Point Defense Drone and detect the observer. Meanwhile, marines cleanup the stalkers while the Banshees target the Colossi. 

This'll definitely take some practice, but it's a pretty strong build and is very effective vs. Colossus play.

Overcoming Challenges: A Quadrapalegic Playing Starcraft 2

I often think about how difficult it must be to play consoles such as the Nintendo Wii, Kinect, and Playstation Move if you live a life filled with physical challenges. Those with the greatest physical challenges are often ignored, or in some cases, it is argued that it would be be better if they were dead.

But any life is a life worth living - there's at least something to enjoy and at times, people manage to overcome challenges that we would have thought impossible. 

It's not a secret that such an attitude is required in order to be a good starcraft 2 player.

Starcraft Build Order Finder

There's a new Starcraft 2 Build Order optimizer out on the market and it appears that it not only has Zerg and Protoss build orders, but Terran as well. I'm sure there's some bugs to be worked out in it, but so far people seem to be pleased with it.

The build order optimizer essentially takes a desired outcome, say a six stalker push, and will then churn out the fastest way of obtaining six stalkers.

What it spits out is rather interesting and easy to read for a sc2 build order optimizer.

Rumble in the Bronze Promotional Materials

So this place has seen a lack of updates for two reasons: the break and all the free graphical and advertising work I've done for Rumble in the Bronze, the Starcraft 2 Charity match that's going to be cast by iNControl.

Check out some of the images I've done up for the event.

Rumble in the Bronze! ~ $640 Raised so Far

One week ago Penny Arcade forumer hlprmnky began trash-talking fellow Bronze league Starcraft 2 player Joe K, declaring a grudgematch and that the loser should be publicly shamed with replays of their defeat.

Joe K countered that instead he would put $50 up towards the Child's Play charity and that the winner would choose the hospital to receive the money.

Next, hlprmnky matched Joe's $50 and before you knew it their grudge escalated into a full-fledged Child's Play fundraiser.

The matches will be shoutcasted December 4th, 9pm EST by professional Starcraft 2 player EG.iNcontrol and Trus, a Penny Arcade forumer who casts their regular tournaments. You can watch the action live via Trus's Starcraft Arcadia tournament stream.

Please donate now! All proceeds will provide games, toys, and other forms of support for hospitalized children.

Back from the Break

We are back from the break and will be ready to roll starting tomorrow! Look forward to providing more content to everyone.

If you are interested in seeing particular content, leave a comment and let me know what would be of interest to you!

Protoss Build Order: The Korean Four Gate

Description: The Korean Four Gate build is known for its strength in the Protoss vs. Protoss starcraft 2 match up. This is a very useful and noob friendly build for players looking for an easy Protoss build order to start with.

The basic idea is that you get four gateways with Warp Gate tech ASAP. Bring a probe or two to their base as your last gateway is halfway done and build pylons around their base.

Your initial goal is to cripple their economy and then potentially cripple them. By warping zealots into their mineral line, you'll absolutely devastate their ability to produce counters. After producing zealots, stalkers might come in handy for taking out enemy zealots/stalkers.

Stalkers should kill zealots, but this requires micro. If you're interested in learning how to micro stalkers,  please consult this video.



Check out the rest of the article after the jump.

Lego Banshee - Harassing LEGOs Everywhere

Banshees are annoying when you're a Zerg player because it's possible to encounter them when you only have queens. Banshees are also annoying when you're a Protoss player because if they have cloak and you didn't get a robotics bay, you are probably toast.

But what if you encountered one in real life and build out of LEGOs?

I don't know who made this, but it is freakin' awesome.

New Starcraft 2 Artwork

There's some really awesome starcraft 2 artwork that was recently added to the blizzard fan art section of their website. Tosh has never looked so bad ass.

 

Check out some of my favorites.

Protoss Build Order Optimizer

Once again - for those of you looking for a way to optimizer your Protoss build orders for Starcraft 2, look no further than CarbonTwelve's Protoss Build Order Optimizer. The tool allows you to actualize an ideal build for a desired outcome.

If you're looking to tweak, refine, and get timings down as a Protoss player, then check this out. The tool requires a few programs to run, but once you have it setup it'll help you develop some decent build orders.

Necessary Programs:
VC++ 2010
SC2 Build Order Optimizer

Source: CarbonTwelve via Teamliquid

Zerg Build Order Optimizer

For those of you who are interested in developing a build order that caters to your style, there is an absolutely required tool out there known as a Starcraft 2 build order optimizer.

The tool, developed by Lomilar, is an attempt at developing a system that automatically takes a desired outcome and optimizes any SC2 build order. For instance, say that you wanted to know how to build 7 roaches as fast as possible. After declaring the desired end result, the program will automatically develop an ideal sc2 build order.

Right now there is only a tool for Zerg players, but it looks like people are aiming to develop a similar tool so that you can optimizer your Terran build orders or Protoss build orders.

Source: Lomilar via Teamliquid

Starcraft 2 Dancing Units

There's nothing like rubbing it in after baneling busting someone's depot wall by dancing your way to victory. Check out this starcraft 2 video of some of the units dancing. Can you guys make out the moves that they're doing? I think the Hydralisk is pulling off thriller. It's pretty funny.

Or how about the largest Zergling imaginable. Check out the videos after the jump.

Starcraft 2 Custom Statues

This is really amazing. Apparently a 21 year old artist who from Colorado named Christopher Notbusch has created some really impressive starcraft 2 figurines. Starcraftinfo.com reached out to the young graphic design student and asked him about his work.

"I started with Zerg figures just because I've always made scary nasty monsters in my non StarCraft 2 work so I was comfortable with them. I then broke my comfort zone with Zeratul and am always learning and absorbing information and figuring out how to achieve the looks I want."

If you have a bit of spare cash and want to own your very own Zergling, Christopher is selling the figurines for $150 to $300 dollars. 

Take a look at more of these absolutely stunning pieces of work after the jump. 

Banelings Banelings Banelings Ohhhh!

HuskyStarcraft and Kurt have just released a parody on Justin Bieber's "Baby." The video has decent production values and it's a pretty catchy tune.

And besides, who doesn't like watching a mass of banelings melt face repeatedly.

Here's a comparison between the original and the parody after the jump.

Starcraft 2 Match of the Century: A Grudge Match for Charity

Tis the season for giving and for a starcraft 2 player, there's no better way than watching some entertaining matches while donating to charity.

On December 4th, members of the Penny Arcade forum community will be duking it out for Child's Play, a charity dedicated to providing relief to children in hospitals through the joy of video games.

The event is going to be cast by none other than the infamous iNControl, perhaps one of the most hilarious Starcraft 2 players I have had the pleasure of listening to in the State of the Game podcast.

More info after the jump.

Yet Another Build Order [YABOT]

Download YABOT 1.3

Yet Another Build Order Tester or YABOT is probably one of the most fun ways to learn a SC2 build order. Whether your a Terran, Zerg, or Protoss player looking to learn a build and improve upon your play, YABOT is a tool that will allow you to play the game, perfect your timings, all while having a helpful guide through out the entire process.

The creator of YABOT has released a really helpful tutorial that'll help you get started on how to use the program. If you want to play YABOT with your friends, simply search for YABOT when creating a custom game with the following authors per region.

US: Ben McIntosh
EU: sgflt
SEA: oOd
LA: HeadacheMan 



You can download the latest YABOT here.

Source: xorpwnz and scbuilds.com

SC2 Zerg Build Order: The Five Roach Rush

Description: The goal of the five roach rush zerg build order is to put pressure as early as possible on your opponent and give you an opportunity to safely expand. I should stress that this build is not meant to win you the game outright, but instead give you an opportunity to safely expand, thus gaining a decent advantage over your opponent.

If you arrive as their base and they have walled off very well, either because of supply depots or forcefields, remember not to stand their and take hits. Back off, keep your roaches at the entrance of their base, and harass intermittently while droning up.

The biggest mistake players make is committing to the attack and consequently losing the game. Don't make the same mistake.

Find out more after the jump.