I believe 4 c) in Qi's post should be implemented earlier. At stage 2 imo.

Why all Your points besides this one seem to say "look at others"? Is this intentional or no?

I don't believe that's all. I believe it's better to figure out some things on your own, or at least try to.
I mean, instead of constantly looking at what other players do, try to use your imagination and think what you can do (at least from time to time).

Yea, it may take a longer to get better, you fail more often, and it may seem a bit pointless to re-invent the wheel, but I think it pays off in deeper understanding of the game, and later you rely on your own ideas, not someone else's.

So, I would add somewhere around point 2: "Think and test your own ideas sometimes.".

I simply mean that you develop what works for you in stages 1 amd 2. In stage 3, try to pay more attention to learning the styles of others. In stage 4, you should understand enough styles to begin more radical experimentation to try to figure out styles and strategies that nobody knows. Stage 4 experimentation is meant to push the realm of possibility and challenge a good/great player to reinvent himself and the game.

This is why I don't mention experimentation earlier. Earlier experimentation is simply learning the ropes of what most people recognize as good play. Stage 4 experimentation is Isaac Newton alchemy.

Edited 3/6/2014 14:11:32

Ah, ok. So I just misunderstood a bit, and apparently there is "think" in 1st stage. Should be in 2nd too though :P
Still, experimentation as a way to grasp the basic doesn't seem as significant as it should be, at least to me.

True. I think when I wrote it, I had certain assumptions about the readers: inteliigent enough to make it to stage 4, and clever enough to figure out the basics.

Hi I've read most of what you guys said, its been improving my game. I would consider myself an intermediate player, for which is why I need you guys to help me be better. So I would like to play some games with the expert players, multi-day no boot practice games on any map you guys want. It would be great if you played with me, I really want to learn the game to its highest potential. please mail me or reply here if you would like to help me and the map in which to play in. Also tell me if it will be a team game or FFA.

Edit:
I have a 35% win rate, which is low for you, but the last few games I've played in I've won most of them thanks to your tips.

Edited 3/6/2014 19:02:29

"Stage 4 experimentation is Isaac Newton alchemy." - Qi

This is my absolute favourite. What kinds of things have you seen that you consider stage 4? For me it was tiny blockades. Teddy was the first big name that i noticed who made tiny irritating blockades in semi unimportant territories. He then kept pressure up somewhere else and never gave his opponent 11 free incoem to break a blockade of 7 until the game was alreadd decided. Very cool and fun.

Impaller did this sometimes, if he even bothered to blockade.