14 DAY TRIAL // My previous column explained how I was a total newcomer at StarCraft in multiplayer and how I wanted to see if Chris Sigaty was right that anyone can win at StarCraft. I won my first two games in the practice league, but then I lost another four. Don't laugh, as they were my best teacher and some of my best experiences yet with StarCraft II.
Because of these losses I decided to read up a bit on how to better play StarCraft and what are the best strategies for my favorite race, the enlightened Protoss. I learned what the basic build order is for the beginning of the game and how important it is to scout with the Observer to see what the enemy has in store for you.
I practiced a bit versus the AI to memorize the hot-keys and to train my reflexes. I must say, before I continue, that this is so very new and exciting to me. I have usually played online shooters like Unreal Tournament or Battlefield and going into a lighting fast real time strategy like multiplayer StarCraft II really feels a bit like the next level. Fast-thinking and fast-acting go together, there is no real luck, there is just pure skill.
After these few matches against StarCraft II (good) AI, I went online again. The game found me a Terran opponent quite fast and there I was again. This time I was prepared. I got my base up and running in not time, spawned an Observer and set it to find what my randomly selected nemesis was about. I found that he was heavily producing infantry. This was a worry and a relief at the same time. I had recently lost playing against an opponent that used the same strategy, rushing Marines and armor-piercing Marauder. This time I would not lose I told my self and proceeded to build Colossi.
The Colossus is something the tripod from War of the World or the Strider from Half Life 2, if you are unfamiliar with StarCraft II. It is also prone to destroying enemy infantry with ease. So his first attack came. I withheld with heavy, heavy losses. All of my elegant Colossi were down, but soon enough I had them up again. His troops, however, had been decimated. My Observer in his base showed that he still had some kind of defense going so I wasn't strong enough to strike right then.
I amassed a defense force, getting ready for a counter-attack if there was such a chance. Not much time had passed until my adversary was upon me once again. The battle was raging with my zealots against his siege tanks, my Colossi decimating his many infantry and my Stalker taking down his air support. Casualties were high on each side, but then, abruptly, the battle was decided. I could not believe my eyes. My most important ally, my Internet connection had fallen. I was defeated. Again.