Considering the top 10% of players, what do you think contributes most to their success, intelligence or training/diligence? Obviously it is a mix of the two, but what do you think plays the biggest factor and why? I am not talking the top 2-3%, but the top 5-10%. Let's say the current top 50 1v1 ladder players.

1% inspiration 99% perspiration

^+1

It is a combination of the two. It takes both in order to be a top player.

Mainly training.

up to 10% is Talent, the rest is Training.

if a Player is willing to learn is another question.

My way too long answer (because I think it's an interesting question). I hope some top players will jump in with their opinion instead of a bunch of trolls.

I think it's about 50/50. I was already pretty good (say top 25%) after 5 to 10 games and my experience with statistics and data-analysis helped me to quickly 'get' most of the obvious superior strategies. I've seen others with a similar trajectory.

The extra jump to the top 10% requires some training to really understand some of the nuanced and advanced tactics.

Intelligence is more of a necessity than training though: you can't just train warlight and become a top player without a decent grasp of game mechanics, some basic math and spatial insight. A very intelligent player can easily become a top player by training a little bit, though.
On the 1v1 ladder, training may be more important than intelligence. Since it's the same template, you can learn a lot by playing often. Intelligent players should rule the seasonals as they are able to more quickly adapt to different templates and settings without much training.

But, honnestly, I think it's more 25/25/50 intelligence/training/effort.
Effort is not the same as training. I've had a lot of training, but I'm not always putting a lot of effort in games (due to time constraints in my case).
Effort means things like researching the opponent, considering different starting positions, options, thinking forward a few turns, doing income calculations or estimations, extensive communication with teammates, etc. Even if you are not among the most intelligent players and you haven't trained much, putting in effort and going over things will give you a lot of information that can help you win games. But, effort pays off more if you are more intelligent and trained as you are able to use the information efficiently.

I think i agree with wolf on this. Pulling out the graphs an home-made equations is usually the best anwser.

Beancounting. Especially due to SR.

A super genius could probably be a top player without doing much work. Somebody who absolutely worked their ass off and made Warlight their life could probably be a top player with only average intelligence. But for most people, it's likely a combination of the two.

However, I shared a labor intensive strategy I use yesterday and multiple people who have been #1 on the ladder replied basically saying 'that's too much work' so it clearly doesn't take Kobe Bryant-esque preparation and diligence to be even in the top 1% or higher. Though presumably those guys do better than average in the intelligence/natural aptitude department.

Math Wolf made a great point regarding effort I think, which is probably overlooked somewhat.

I know I could do much better with increased effort, especially on picks. I never spend more than five minutes on them (attention span). I know that is quite low from a recent thread.

Dude... did you srsly just now like... roast yourself?

No, but you made a lame attempt to roast me. You left out:

But for most people, it's likely a combination of the two.

One is never a good judge of their own intelligence. Idiots don't realize they are idiots. But based on numerous objective factors such as standardized tests, education etc, I'm quite certain I am of at least above average intelligence. As I'm sure many that play this game are. It's not a game dumb people would likely enjoy.

Edited 4/29/2016 13:17:13

I'm quite certain I am of at least above average intelligence. As I'm sure many that play this game are. It's not a game dumb people would likely enjoy.

That's an interesting point. I wonder what's the average IQ of the WL community?

The vast majority of people would consider themselves of above average intelligence.

My IQ is at least like 3

Eh... I'd give you more of a 2, maybe a 2 and a half on a good day.

Intelligence is the obvious answer otherwise anybody could top the ranks, but its actually most of the time the same players (ladders, coin games, tourneys, ...).
Plus intelligence lets you apply whatever you learnt on training to its optimal way, possibly even better way than the way you were trained.
Intelligence also helps in adapting to new situations, when training gives tips for rather known situations.

Training will only get you so far.. Just like Mike said, intelligence helps you apply whatever you learn in training in an optimal way.. But, training is still needed. If you know how to do something but have never done it before then you will most likely not be the best at it.. For instance, you can learn all you want about Poker but until you play it a lot you will not be that good at it.

I think it helps to have a mathematical background. People like Odin or Giant Frog are a really good example of what I expect of a potential top player. In my opinion some experience in game theory might help with giving you a good perspective to start with, after that it's mostly practise with/against best players. I'd say it is still 90% your own analysis, I think objectivity and constantly eliminating blunders is the best way to improve.

I think it has been mentioned already, but my two things that make someone good:

BEANCOUNTING
and
EFFORT