Comp Strategy

Comp games are quite a bit different than "human vs human" games in many ways.  First of all, the comp use artificial intelligence, which means that, no matter how hard the programmers try, they are going to react very strange to certain things, and will not "think" like a rational human would.  In this way, the comp is quite "dumb." To compensate for this, the programmers at Blizzard try to make the comps very "aggressive" in order for them to give humans a challenge.  Also, the comp micromanages in ways that, frankly, are IMPOSSIBLE for  a human (with only 1 brain, 2 eyes, and 2 hands) to do.  There are a few ways you must alter your strategy to win vs comps.

First off, let the computer make the first move.  Because the comp AI (Artificial Intelligence) is innately aggressive, defend their initial attack, THEN counterattack them.  Do not try to attack the comp first, especially when facing more than 1 comp opponants.  The comps like to defend each other in a disgusting, aggravating fashion.  In other words, if you are about to kill one of them, chances are the other(s) will show up either at the wounded comps base and kill you, or will attack your base in order to make you retreat. 

Second, "risky" moves hardly ever work against the comp.  One example of this is the reaver drop.  Unless you are very fast at the reaver drop, it wont work.  Trying to drop reavers on the comp is just begging for cloaked wraiths to show up.  The computer always will come in with the perfect counter move to piss you off and completely fuck up your strategy.  If you are prepared for this, then its not a big deal, but if you take a gamble (like sending a fleet of carriers into a terran base without observers) ...you will see cloaked wraiths come at you, and you will be forced to retreat. 

Also, you pretty much hafta alter your mindset.  Against humans, your mindset should ALWAYS be to go on the offensive.  Against the comp, however, its usually better to go defense, especially when there are more comps than there are  humans (like a 3v5 comp game, for instance).  If the odd's are even, then, if your fast, you can get away with no defense as long as you have plenty of offense that can attack both ground and air (thus having no weakness). 

Although this may be obvious, the computer definitely seems to cheat sometimes.  This isnt true....technically.  It takes the comp just as long to build a battleship or a mutalisk as it does for you.  The difference is in the comps micromanagement skills.  One example of this is the way the comp uses the Terran Ghost units.  I think its impossible for a human player to use Lockdown as effectively as the comp does.  If you go into  a battle and the comp has ghosts, you can expect almost your entire army to get frozen and killed.  Because the comp knows it can cast lockdown almost simultaneosly with 5 ghosts at a time, it uses it to its advantage by making hordes of ghosts, and sending them ALL at you during the attack.  Dont think Lockdown only applies to "big, expensive" units either.  I once saw my teamates seige tanks locked down in a a computer ATTACK!! I thought that was bullshit! But the biggest bullshit ive ever seen was when the comp dropped 4 ghosts from a drop ship in one of my friends' base, and locked down his probes!!! LOL

The last thing you hafta do is work as a team with your teamates.  If one guy is behind, or is frequently getting harrassed, then send some guys to protect him, or attack the comp that is attacking your friend.  Never leave players to their own devices if they need help.  Especially if you cant beat the comps when your friends are dead =).