Rush, Boom, Turtle: You Suck at RTS
10 ways to improve your game
9/9/2008 6:40 PM | 2 Comments | Page 1 of 2
There are different levels of playing RTSes. It's like in chess. In chess, the first step is knowing how the pieces move. Once you reach that point, you can theoretically play a game just fine. But then there's a deeper level where you know things like ... well, like ... okay, I've never gotten further than learning how the pieces move in chess, because I'm too busy playing RTSes. But I know there's a deeper level where you use phrases like "Sicilian opening," "Queen's gambit" and other stuff referenced in the titles of spy novels.
So maybe that's where you're at with real-time strategy games -- in which case, you're probably not reading this column. So send the link to this column to all your friends who suck at RTSes, because I'm going to give them 10 tips to make them better.
10. Play thy enemy
For Pete's sake, quit playing just one side. Half the battle is knowing what toys the other guy has, and the best way to know that is to play with them yourself.
9. Speed skills
As a guy who likes playing RTSes slowly, as much as it pains me to recommend this, I'm going to suggest playing at a speed faster than what you're comfortable with. You know how after you play Guitar Hero at "hard," "medium" feels so much slower and easier to play when you go back to it? It's the same with an RTS. Playing at a faster speed will also help your muscle memory when it comes to navigating the interface. Just put the AI on dumb, and run through a few faster-than-usual games.
You are not ready.
One of the best ways to learn tactics is to be on the business end of them. It's not pleasant if you're accustomed to the win-oriented philosophy of single-player gaming, but deal. You have to think not in terms of winning and losing, but in terms of learning.
7. Ditch the single-player campaign
Almost without exception, the campaign that comes with your RTS is not going to help you get better at the game. These are built to tell a stupid story or to introduce the units to people who can't be bothered to read manuals or even tool tips. Get thee to a skirmish mode.
6. Don't bother trying to play Supreme Commander
That game is too uber for you. Put it down. Seriously, put it down and try something more newbie-friendly. You're only making it harder for yourself.
5. Hotkeys, hotkeys, hotkeys
You have two hands. Use both of them. One goes on the mouse, the other goes on the keyboard. And until you're using your keyboard hand just as much as your mouse hand, you're only interfacing halfway.
