Usually I train my build orders in a controlled environment, this means: Single Player vs Very Easy AI on Faster speed. This way I have nearly no fights against my opponent.
The problem is that the lag or delay is nearly optimal. Starcraft 2 has always a slight delay of around 200 ms, but if you play on ladder the lag increases, sometimes it is almost unbearable.
I struggle with this as everything seems off. This usually means:
- I queue a command more often, because I think I missed the key. Instead of pressing 1,s I enter 1,s,s,s,ESC,ESC.
- I do not issue commands because I misclick and forget to check. Initially it looks ok because of the delay as I do not expect an immediate response. (e.g. I click 0,w to get +1 which is wrong. It should be 0,e)
- Micro is ridiculously hard compared to my normal training environment. (e.g. my current Stutter Step relies on reacting to what my Marines currently do, this does not work with lag, sometimes my Marines do not even shoot because I click too fast)
In addition to the stress of a normal ladder game I feel uneasy about my execution.
So how can I simulate this kind of delay in a training game? I want to be able to execute my Build Order without much Micro, so I get my timings right.
Currently my best approach is to open a random 2v2 game and play with 3 bronze players. This works, but I often have to restart because someone drops or leaves. Sometimes my ally takes the only natural and I have to go another build.
Best Answer
There is no direct way to play a single player game to practice a build order. You may, however, want to look at the arquade games such as build order tester, etc. In this way you can practice your initial build order without an AI opponent and should get some lag from the game not being completely local. While you may not experience all the same lag, it is the best result you will get. Otherwise, just practice on the ladder. The best way you will learn is not in a controlled environment.