So, a couple of months ago I was talking to Gambit about how, in general, I could get better at Dota. Aside from last hitting better, paying more attention to the map, etc, he mentioned watching my own replays. So I started watching replays of games where I've won and lost, and tried to note area I messed up, whether it be misusing a hero's skills or just general lack of map awareness.

I can easily say this made me a much better player (except that VS game the other night. Wipe that from your minds) and have been trying to do it more often. It's pretty eye opening seeing how many last hits you miss or how out of position you were.

I was wondering if people might be interested in maybe watching a replay at the same time, yours or mine, or maybe a game where we played together, and just pointing out mistakes, good plays, etc. to try and help each other get better. I've had Gambit look at one or two (probably more) of mine and his insight was great.

Thoughts?

I'd be up for that, if just to get in the habit of watching replays critically.

I think we should do this officially. Lets take a game a month or so, and get 4-5 of us in a private Mumble channel and just talk about the game as it goes on. We can post these to the site for others to watch.

I think that would be a good way to add something of value to the site and we can all learn a thing or two.

Works for me. Maybe do one every two weeks, picking from the Sunday inhouses and then post on the DN youtube channel?

Considering every professional athlete in the world uses this method to improve, I think it's a great idea. Could do something like pairing up and watching one of your replays and one of mine. A little outside feedback is always appreciated.

jbrown,


Because of the depressing game I shared with you LOL

If I'm not playing a game. I will always be available to watch any of your games and analyze it with you with my thoughts anytime you want.

This is extended to anybody else as well.

Sounds like a great idea, I'd be down for this.

We have the tournament going this weekend. Why don't we have the first video be from a game this Saturday?

That makes sense to me. How would we pick the match to analyze? Or would we even want to watch an entire game, and instead focus on say 2-3 laning phases?

Hmm I'm thinking we watch the entire game. Ideally there will be a match or two that will be pretty close, which would provide a nice balance of things to point out. On the other hand, if there's a total stomp, we could cover that and mention what could have been done to prevent the stomp.

I'm thinking the entire match so that we can comment on the changes between laning, mid and late game and how game play changes with each stage, especially for newer players.

I don't think I'd be able to offer much insight into critical analysis of gameplays, but I'd definitely be up for sitting in the channel and listening to a Doobs version of NSFF

Replay watching is by far the best way to improve, hell i keep a sticky note pad by my mouse pad to write down notes and timings and things like CS or GPM goals that i set based how i want to improve my game.

Like the other day i played a game as PA, i was doing 50 creep kills every 10 minutes. I went back and watched the replay and tried to figure out how i could get that to 55+, found some simple things. went into the next few games, applied them and saw some improvement.

You sort of look at things differently when you arent playing because you arent focused on playing! you have time to notice the really tedious things

I completely agree with this, although I noticed it from sitting in the broadcast slot rather than watching my own replays. Must... watch... replays...

Sitting in the broadcast slot:

"How'd you miss that?"

"Why are you so out of position?"

"No, don't run there!"

Etc.

This is why we're going to get a bi-monthly game viewing going.

Nice! Ill keep my eyes out for good replays in the competetive scene if your looking for replays to use for like replay analysis teaching, like if you want to teach a certain topic.. say a replay of Burning farming or a global control strat!