Starting out typing out my Starcraft 2 code of conduct which I am going to use as a framework to improve my mindset and thought process, I think something you will find that each rule sound rather obvious and self explanatory when you read it out loud, but the description coming with it is what carries the important lessons.
- Do whatever it takes to win
This obviously does not apply when you are playing practice games with a specific practice goal, but when competing or playing games without a specific practice purpose the only thing that matters while in game is to win, no matter what it takes.
A lot of the aversion people have towards cheese and all in’s are actually hurting their versatility in games. While it is true that when practicing, working on macro is going to be the fastest way to improve, this has led a lot of people to look at anything that isn’t pure macro for late game as something ugly and to be avoided and people constantly shy away from plays they think are gimmicky just because of that. Not going for all in, cheese and gimmick play when you don’t think it is the best move is fine, but never ignore plays because of some vague notion of it not being fair. The game does not care in the slightest what is fair, only one person is going to have the win after it is over.
When you are playing a game whichever way is most likely to give you the win is the way to go. If you are in a situation where you are behind and you feel like you can win by going all in, don’t force the macro game just because you think that you are supposed to. Fight tooth and nails and be as gimmicky as you need when the situation demands it, everything but winning is irrelevant. For the same reason you should not give up until it is 100% over, even when you think that there is no way you SHOULD be able to come back, never rule out your opponent making a mistake.
This rule should also be helpful in learning to not rage or bm at someone who cheeses you or goes for a gimmicky play, it does not matter, it was just an opponent who did whatever it took to win.
One of the most famous Samurai in history is Miyamoto Musashi, a master swordsman who participated in countless duels but was never defeated. Musashi gained fame especially for a set of three duels against highly regarded Samurai where he broke all rules of courtesy and made his opponents lose their mental discipline. For his first two duels against two brothers, one known for his amazing mental discipline Musashi showed up hours late to the duels, this extreme breach of honor had made his opponents enraged to the point where they had lost their amazing discipline and focus, ultimately costing them the duel and their lives.
For his third duel on a small island he once again showed up late and having carved a wooden sword out of an oar, the level of disrespect this time too caused his opponent to leap into combat in anger, fighting in the shallow water with the sun in his eyes, Musashi proceeded to outmaneuver him and then brutally beat him to death with his wooden sword.
The bottom line is that the person who sets psychological limits to his play is going to be a much more limited player.
Vanguard 