Added a link on top to files. I’m going to start synching my replay folder, which has a lot of replays that don’t make it to the replay database.

So yeah I’ve been debating with myself over whether I should talk about microing specifics, like footmen micro or whatever. In the end, I’ve decided I don’t really feel like it.

Anyway, there’s something I haven’t mentioned because I haven’t taken the time to start using it, but now I’m going to! Not sure how many people know about this, let alone use it, but Warcraft has a way to add the currently selected units to a group. You do this by holding shift and pressing a group number. This really helps with group management if you use a lot of groups like I do. (or at least half of it, the adding units part).

Example: In group 5, I have only my sorceresses, but the sorcs are also in a larger group 2, which might have summons, breakers, or whatever. Normally, I would have to add a new sorc to both group 5 and group 2. Here’s how I do it with the new method.

I add a sorc to my sorc-only group, 5 normally. You do that by selecting group 5, holding shift, selecting the sorc, and then regrouping with control-5. I have to do this for both the old and new method.

While my sorc-only group, 5, is still selected, I hold shift and press 2. Done, the sorc is also added to group 2 now. That’s 2 steps to update group 2 after updating group 5. (hold shit, press two)

Normally, you would select 2 (1 step), hold shift and add the sorc (2 steps, plus selecting units on the map is something you avoid if you can), reassign the control group (2 steps, hold control, press group number). 5 total steps, so by using Warcraft’s built in function, I save 3 steps in adding a unit to my groups; it’s better optimized.

EDIT: now that I think about it, you could actually shift-add the first sorc to group 5 as well. Then shift-add to group 2. WOW, that’s 3 (omg.. 2nd edit) steps total. I should have been using this sooner. :ENDEDIT

Okay, enough with that. Next is creeping optimization. ShrieK always comes to mind whenever we use that phrase. I think he said before you can shave 15 seconds [or maybe it was less] off your start if you do everything right. I’ve yet to make all the tiny adjustments he does. NEVERTHELESS, I’d like to stress the value of creeping well. Today when I was organizing my replays I actually found two on TS where I’m speed-build creeping the merc camp vs a computer. (1) (2). They’re from when I was practicing for WCG. Back then I really didn’t have any top human practice partners, so I spent a lot of time just working on some different starts against computers; I probably played maybe 200+ games (not full-length, just the start). What I did in those 2 TS replays is what I MEANT to do vs ShrieK, but I totally just forgot about it for some reason during the game. It’s unfortunate, as he did what I expected him to do.. but WHATEVER. What I did in the TM game I practiced many, many times as well. I haven’t used either start much since and I probably couldn’t do them now anymore :D

from mym translation

What do you think about the game’s balancing situation?
As a night elf player, I feel that humans would have more advantage on TR and SV, while orc would be more difficult to play against in maps like TM and EI. Likewise for undeads, it is harder for us on TS and EI.

rofl backwards more?

AutoHotkey is what I use to remap keyboard keys, and before I started using mouse drivers, mouse buttons as well. Download it here

It has lots of uses, here are some:
-disable alt-tab and the window key. I also disable alt-f, so formation is not accidentally toggled
-keep health bars on and remove the need to hold down alt altogether
-use inventory items with a different key by remapping to the numpad keys.

After you install the program, you want to create an ahk file that contains the remapping instructions. Simply open a text editor such as notepad and save the file as “filename.ahk”. Save it in an easy to access location such as your desktop.

Following I will show code for basic functions, check the documentation for more. Each remapping instruction should be on a new line.

Disable alt-f, send ‘f’ instead
!f::send f

Disable alt-tab, send ‘tab’ instead
!Tab::Send {Tab}

Use 1st extra mouse button for Numpad-8 (top right inventory slot)
XButton1::Send {Numpad8}

Make Caps Lock act like Backspace (backspace centers on town hall)
CapsLock::Send {Backspace}

Make the left window key turn on health bars
LWin::Send {] Down}{[ Down}

Make control-left window key turn off health bars
^LWin::Send {] Up}{[ Up}

After you save your file, double click on the icon where you saved it and it should be active. When active, there should be an AHK icon in your taskbar icontray.

To disable the mappings for normal desktop use, add #IfWinActive, ahk_class Warcraft III as the first line before everything else.

Here's what my old ahk file looked like before I switched to mouse drivers for inventory slots:
 

#IfWinActive, ahk_class Warcraft III
CapsLock::Send {Backspace}
XButton1::Send {Numpad8}
XButton2::Send {Numpad7}
^XButton1::Send {Numpad5}
^XButton2::Send {Numpad4}
!f::send f
LWin::Send {] Down}{[ Down}
^LWin::Send {] Up}{[ Up}

Thanks to Tye for showing me a few of these! Feel free to leave questions in comments, but I’m going to have to ask you to rtfm if you want me to just make your file for you.

originally on gravitas’ site i guess, i read it at mym.

4 SquiRReL (5 hours ago )
Around 80% of those isjust random bullshit.

I agree with squirrel :D i think the balance team has been playing too much dota if these are true……

can’t figure out the checksum algorithm for part of the replay files…..

given it two days/nights… giving up… gotta go back to work on other stuff…

don’t know how to crack it… don’t even know what i need to learn to be able to crack it… =(

kind of annoyed… i don’t mind not knowing stuff, i mind not knowing how to know what i don’t know should i want to know it.

/fail/

7am k lol.