Even after all these years, Starcraft is considered one of the true masterpieces of the RTS genre created. The best players still uncover new strategies after years of playing the game. Now with Starcraft 2, RTS fans everywhere are going to be losing sleep. Considering the depth of gameplay, a strategy guide is really worth considering if you plan on reaching top rankings on BattleNet. In addition to the paid guides, there are many hints online, however the advice can be rather unreliable. There’s no reason you can’t put together all the scattered information for Starcraft 2, but how do you really get better? If you want to be the best, you have to play against the best.

Obviously, all this coaching can never be more effective than really training yourself by getting real experience against other human players. Having said that, you are still going to need good advice. Considering the wide range of guides available, which one is really the best value? Your time and money is much better spent if you purchase just one excellent guide, and putting those tactics to work in real matches.

If you are serious about reaching Diamond on BattleNet and are ready to buy a good guide, think about the following:

How do the authors tell you about the mental discipline for strategy innovations of your own? Consider this point carefully. The difference between merely competent players from real masters of the game is that they can dynamically change their strategy and can adapt to situations on the fly. If you want to stay at the level you are currently at, continue to use the usual strategies.

Are the people making the guide hardcore Starcraft 2 players or are they being paid to write a guide? There are usually some good nuggets in official guides, but they will not help you develop the proper mental outlook required to compete against top players. Make sure that that author is a player with a distinguished record in online play. Better still, get one that has been developed by a team of hard-core players.

Does this guide really teach you the skills of the best players on BattleNet? Consider this point very carefully. The difference between a good player and a great player is that the great player is flexible in their thinking and can adapt to situations on the fly. A reasonable player continues to be average because they are only using one reliable strategy.

How much in detail does the guide tell you about the really advanced strategies? A simple search query will uncover a list of units and details to use against another player. A little more searching and you will find build orders that everyone knows. Take it a step further. Make sure the guide talks about skills the best players use including scouting, setups, traps, and even hotkey technique.

Does it offer a forum for players who are serious about becoming a top player on BattleNet? It’s often true that the really significant innovations get revealed on a message board when players are sharing stories. It’s risky using in a real match tips that could well be worthless, but it’s always worth considering. A truly good guide is going to have a place where you can connect with a whole community of gamers.

For an honest look at the Starcraft 2 strategy guides written by a real gamer, please visit: Reviews of Starcraft 2 Strategy Guides