So, it seems I am always losing because I do not have as many units or the economy of my opponents (I am third in bronze and am now always playing silver). My question is, during my gameplay, I am constantly building probes, but they seem to take all my resources and I can't make other stuff fast enough. At what point to you stop or delay probe production to get multiple gateways up, etc
First off don't worry too much, as you play more you will just know. however, until that point use your probe production as a guide. Point one. When you produce, make sure you dont have a massive queue in your nexus. 5 probes queued = 200 minerals in limbo. Always be producing 1 probe at a time. Point two. Once your main is saturated with probes (20 on minerals and 6 on vespene) then its time to expand. Expand within the next 5-10 probes, and once your expo is finished move the excess to your expansion. Point three. Pretty much no matter what, if you are only producing 1 probe at a time your economy should never be slowed down to the point where it affects your military production.
@Reldric: shouldn't it be 24 minerals, 6 gas? since we have 8 patches of minerals with 3 each for optimum mining. But of course, you would want to expand before you reach 24. It depends on the situation though, you can always fast expand; but that's the gist of it. other than that, reldric has said it excellently. 1 probe at a time is the key to constantly producing units and probes. usually, by 16 food u can pump out from 1 gate, and 2 gate on 24 or so. but of course, it depends on how you open your game =)
Cries_two, yes and no... its kind of up to personal opinion/playstyle in that regard. Basically between 2.5 to 3 workers per node is optimum. I personally dont like having the full 24 just because those last 4 only increase production by about half what the previous 4 did. So personally I like having those 4 down on my expo where they are getting the full value for their supply thats being used but you are quite right 24 is perfectly saturated, whereas 20 still leaves a little juice to be gotten hehe.
The reason why probes take all your economy is because yousurely queue alot of prbes. Make on at the time and constantly check the nexus to see if he is done. And Redlic: 2.5 workers? The thing about how many to put on each base is kind of tricky: if you keep around 20, they wont change mineral pads like they do at around 24. If they change mineral pads at around 24 that means its oversaturated but being oversatured assures you that you get the maximum minerals from that base. I personally think its to much. 20 is perfect.
