[previously discussed-other than psychological impact]
I would like to add in 3 main awareness that any high level player will implement in their gaming styles. Although it is standard that players should cultivate their awareness, reaction[quick-thinking, essentially], teamwork[determines outcome of game play ultimately] as well as game knowledge, and the subconscious or deliberate knowledge of who is around and not. Most importantly, communication.
1.) Situational Awareness - Who is around you[prevent ganks or counter that], WHAT is around you? Items, objects that may pose a threat or be of help[Using trees, forests and fog; neutral creeps to amplify damage or increase % of proc - AXE or creeps to block movement/trap]. Is there any escape routes, or what other alternatives are there? [ do you have a specific skill that can help you escape or is there any mechanics in your skill allowing you to depart /recede from ganks?- e.g pugna with decrepify on low hp forces opponent to use magic attacks. You can then tp to safety. This is more viable when opponents skill are in cool down
2.) Fear Control/ Fear Manipulation - Are you going to freak out in the event of a team fight. Are you able to maintain your composure or lose it and lose your life? Are you able to play a psychological game with your opponent- can you trick him into believing that you are escaping but turn around in the critical moment and deliver that unexpected blow to end his spree? Are you able to control your anxiety and anger?
3.) Critical Weaknesses - In the event of an intense struggle, be able to analyze and assess the situation tersely and then make your move fast. Who would you target ? Discuss with your teammates to take down the opponent who poses a greater threat in terms of damage, how vulnerable opponent is due to low hp count? Can you buy items to counter any incoming threat or to prevent yourself from being focus-fired because you are not meant to tank?
Please do read all information, and note that all these information are not exclusive, but are just basic fundamentals that are effective in determining game play and outcome. All in all, practice with heroes that you have not encountered and figure out their STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES. Obviously in games, there lies lots of strategy and mind work through analysis. To refine these skills to perfection, being in different situations all the time in games will allow you to gain inspiration of what to do and what not to do. Words cannot simply evaluate the higher level players' abilities, but only provide comprehensive and a not-so pragmatic overview of what is happening.
Last but not least, do not get deterred easily. Keep the fighting spirit up because that is what you still need to have even if your team is on the losing end.
Here's some enticing classical music. (list not exhaustive and will be update )
Celine Dion - to love you more
The Phantom of the Opera
Fav Quote for today :
William Shakespeare : This above all; to thine ownself be true.
Fav phrase :
There is the old adage, if something is "too good to be true". it probably is.
(:
[05/07/08]
As i entered the stadium at Choa Chu Kang, the pressure i felt intensified and my adrenaline started to build up again. I hate that familiar queasy feeling and numbness - as well as feeling weak all about the body - I had experienced two years back at the Nationals Junior Track and Field competition.
This time round, it was the 49th nationals track and field meet heats for athletes to pit against each other and to qualify for the finals. I acknowledged my passion for running but i'm compared to others, not very fast in terms of timing, especially when i'm of small built and hence waiting for puberty so i refrained from doing weights. When it boils down to the competition, you will understand why you would train enthusiastically for years and years only to compete in that race that will end in seconds or minutes.
I still remembered how i was whining to my captain the previous day about my insecurities and anxieties. He gave me advice that was bound to alleviate my worries abit. I can't believe i'm in the stadium at this moment. Time simply passed too fast.
As the race commenced, i started to feel void of any pressure. I told myself i just needed to completed this meaningless race (which i found out later i was wrong).
"Bang!" The loud blast of the gunshot reverberated in my mind and i took a little while to react before kicking off the starting blocks. BAD START. I did not kept to my strategy of sprinting the first 50 metre and i completely lost my form, especially my arm movement and running momentum.
During the last 200m, i started to slow down drastically. I allowed the lactic to take its' toll on me and i started to tire rapidly. I saw a few of my other competitors the ran past me, making me fall behind my intial 3rd position. I had a feeling i was last. At the last hundred metre, i literally gave up. I did not quicken my pace, neither did i tell myself : "Push, Rayan, come on, do your best, break your personal best... Push!". And with that, i completed my race with much regret and discomfort after knowing from my track mates i actually not the last.
My previous personal best was at secondary 2 which was 67seconds. This time i made it under 60seconds. It was a catch22 situation-whether i should be happy- because an improvement of more than 7seconds wasn't marginal and in this event, it is alot... At the same time, 67s is considered a very slow timing, so obviously with another 2 years of effort, i can obviously do so much more better. I knew if i hadn't gave up, i could easily attain a 57seconds.
[Analogue]: Weeelll, we went swimming afterwards. Kind of fun since the whole group went. Kind of retarded too, such is the fact when we used our PE attire to dry ourselves up. Where else can you find such good ol' buddies? Oh yeah, there was this sign that advises swimmers not to dive in the "river pool", which i completely ignored due to the fun i was having in the water. Not to soon, i chipped the edge of my upper front tooth because i dived right into the floor of the pool. It hurts alot. The floor tasted stupid, too.
There was alot to learn today, and hence the reflection. I find that i actually give up way earlier than others. So what if you have the technical advantage ? I need to overcome that mental barrier otherwise i can never unlock my potential and worst still, like today, even let it override my techniques. Additionally, i learned that to embrace competition or obstacles is the best way to do well for it, instead of consoling oneself to put in minimal effort since you will never win. Such negative attitude and character of mine definitely has room for improvement and some complementary review sessions.
My thanks to Ashwin for the chance to experience the atmosphere