6 Tips to Learn Strategy Games Quickly

Do you want to get better at strategy games? If so, you've got to change the way you approach them.

After playing many strategy games and teaching others how to play, here is the best advice I have for new players struggling to get better.

00:00 Focus on learning (not winning)
00:43 Reduce complexity
01:45 Make predictions
02:40 Balance practice and analysis
03:47 Avoid results-based thinking
04:31 Ask questions (even if they're dumb)

*Note: For some reason I say "results-oriented" thinking, but I mean "results-based" thinking. I will blame sleep deprivation.

What, no list of references in this one? For shame! I have failed you Youtube...

[hairyguysketches]

Thank you for that comment on questions! I play D&D (which is more of strategy game then people give it credit for) and there are so many times my characters have almost died because I didn't ask questions. I would say that the best way to get better at strategy games is to always look back at what you did earlier.

[vinovici]

I love RTS games so much but never feel like I'm improving. This is super helpful.

[ZupaTrpa]

I think the simplification is key. If you're learning how to play starcraft 2 then you will win most games if you follow the exact same pattern and build up this cycle of first I do this, then I do this, now I check this, if this is this then I do this, rinse and repeat. I think most people can probably hop into a non competitive situation and learn a build order or process and get it done. The problem comes when that pattern gets disrupted in a real game situation. How well do you cope with that unpredictable change? How quickly can you get back on the rails and keep out macroing your opponent. Eventually you reach levels where this process is a given and then knowledge of build orders etc. play a much bigger role but when you're just getting started, you'll see good process if you can do the basics better than other people.

[BlazeTiger-mv]

This was super helpful, glad I came across it.

[ZaItan]

I struggle with playing 1-player strategy games fast enough to learn and improve at a rate that isn't stagnant. When given the opportunity, like in Slay the Spire, I will use up more hours than I'd like over-optimizing one run instead of playing more runs. Sometimes i challenge myself: "wouldn't it be more fun to play faster?" But I don't like making known, preventable mistakes, and think it's generally fun to deeply analyze...until I become fatigued.

Playing with a clock or my own self-imposed sudden death rule sometimes helps. I even succeed decently well under the time pressure, but as soon as I remove it, it's as if my fast-pattern-brain goes to sleep and I go back to plodding along. Rather frustrating.

[nohvaka]

Nice video. Like those topics.

I have a question regarding quick thinking or quick decisionmaking.
Some Humans seem to be very fast in their brain.
Why is that and how does this work?
Are their neurons transporting information quicker because of some biological reasons? Or is fast thinking also connected to having a lot of neuronal connections and its more like they had a lot of practice? Can everbody get really fast if they practice a lot.

I sometimes feel like joey from friends 😂 And i don't know if this is the case because of some biological or psychological or lack of practice based reasons.

In accordance to this video:
Can everybody get at the same level as some pros or are some people just "gifted" to be faster and have therefore an Advantage over others.

Greetings

[ELGUAPOIV]

Strategy games suck 😂 I just get high and play GTA or CoD all night with the homies

[MuEnViFitness]

Hey Benjamin!

Congrats on the channel, incredible bad information out there about learning. You and Justin Sung are the only ones who know their stuff haha.

I would love to get in touch with you but could not find any email or social media.

Do you have one where I can contact you on?