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Razer’s On Target column features gaming tips, insights and commentaries from elite pro-gamers of Team Razer. From real-time strategy games to first-person shooters, members of Team Razer will be contributing their thoughts on the world of competitive gaming.
Stefan “MorroW” Anderson
Stefan “ MorroW” Anderson is one of the European StarCraft II greats. It was a season of change for MorroW, and for most competitive StarCraft players, with the release of StarCraft II. Players had to adapt quickly just to remain in the gaming scene. If they ceased to change, they ceased to win.
The winner of last year’s Intel Extreme Masters in Germany shares his thoughts on switching from StarCraft I to StarCraft II, and getting infested by the Zerg after being a loyal Terran trooper.
Exodus to StarCraft II
“Adjusting from StarCraft I to StarCraft II takes a while. It is a new game and obviously there are a lot of new and different things but the essence of StarCraft II is the same. Especially for avid players of StarCraft I, you will probably find yourself in the same situations you encountered in SCI when you play SCII. The harassing hit-and-run tactics are there, dropship maneuvers and even the late-game tech dominance are still there. There may be new units, maps, new strategies and new unit strengths but the crisis management and problem solving is there. StarCraft II is still our game and while it might take some time adjust, once you get your feet wet, you can resume where you left off from SCI.”
“How you usually play the races back in StarCraft I still works when you apply the same tactic to StarCraft II. The Zerg still swarm in masses, the Protoss still has their force fields and rely on their upgraded tech and the Terran still have their destructive Siege Tanks and Dropship maneuvers. Of course there are significant changes because of new units and the obliteration of old ones but the racial strengths remain the same.”
Being infested by the Zerg
“Recently though, I have made the change in terms of the race I specialize. I got “infested” and have now turned to the Zerg from my previous race, the Terran. There are several reasons why I made the change and while the game still remains to be smoothly balanced, the Zerg’s strengths fits perfectly to my style of play. Let me list these things down as well as some insights I have in terms of playing Zerg.”
Flanking is key as a Zerg practitioner
“First, the Zerg is a mechanically demanding race. The thing with the Zerg though is that as a race, they adapt very efficiently and therefore fits a responsive style of play. I’ve always been a laid back player, waiting for the enemy to show their strategy first before adapting to them and the Zerg allows me to maximize that tactic. I used to play the Terran which specializes in really bullying opponents to submit to the in-game scenarios you create. While the Terran does this wonderfully, I believe that the Zerg’s capability of adapting to the enemies strategies is overall a great advantage to have against both Terran and Protoss.”
Gameplay Insights
“The Zerg heavily relies on proper flanking and flanking in numbers. Most of the Zerg units are really low on health and attacking all at once towards a properly entrenched Siege Tank platoon can easily wipe you out in seconds. Attacking from all sides pretty much nullifies the splash damage of Siege Tanks and attacks from the Protoss’ Colossus. An example of which is having your Banelings flank entrenched siege tanks while another contingent draws their fire. That way, you pretty much have the perfect engagement.”
“Playing the Terran is pretty much like a dance of forwards and backwards. Especially against a Protoss army that’s loaded with Colossus and High Templars that can cast storms, Terrans would really rely on avoiding those storms and Colossus’ splash damage as much as they should and also be on the move if ever the Zerg tries to use flanking tactics against them. If your Siege Tanks still have range away from the storm, they can easily pick out the Protoss from the other side. That is the basic trick with the Terran agaisnt Protoss – have Siege Tanks pull back in a line so they can be safe from the Protoss High Templar Storm and also have enough range to neutralize rushing Zealots.”
Avoid the Protoss’ storms if you’re playing Terran
“For the Protoss, you can see the basic strategy that can do with Colossus and High Templars as well as a swift attack of Zealots as soon as there is an opening. Just be aware of the different strategies that the Terran and Zerg can do and you can easily read their next move.”
“Playing the Zerg helps me adapt to whatever race or tactic the enemy would pick. The Zerg is a macro race compared to lets say the Terran race which requires a lot of micro. So in my opinion, a good defensive and responsive player might want to choose the Zerg to specialize on.”
“Just remember when playing the Zerg, amass and attack from all sides. The key word is flanking and always flank your enemy.”
Stefan “MorroW” Anderson currently plays for Team Mousesports and continues to compete professionally in both offline and online StarCraft II tournaments. For more details about MorroW, check out Team Mousesports’ Team Razer page.
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