If you are a technical player and want detailed descriptions of strategies Star2Pros is the way to go.
If you like easy to understand, but still thorough guides go with Shokz Starcraft 2 Guide.
Both of these guides are top notch, with all the best features of any Starcraft 2 guide you will find. Just visit their websites and read up if you don't believe me.
Now on to the details:
I reviewed several different Starcraft 2 Guides to determine which one was the best. These guides all have a few things in common. First of all, each Starcraft 2 guide is an online resource, and not a paper copy. There are several reasons I prefer these over paper copies.
First of all, It's easier to obtain than a paper copy; you just pay and download the guide right away. Secondly, because it costs the seller no more to sell extra copies it gives them the option of offering money back guarantees that they can actually follow up on. Many of the guides I list have these guarantees. Another plus to online guides is updated content. Several guides come with memberships to websites which will provide updated strategies and forums to ask expert players about unique situations you may encounter.
Some things to watch out on these online sites:
-NEVER give away your account information to any website! If someone asks for it, they're looking to scam you or steal your account.
-Make sure you're buying a legitimate guide, and not just paying money for a half-finished shoddy guide.
-None of these guides contain hacks or any illegal software. Some 'guides' do have illegal hacks that can get your account banned.
Starcraft 2 Blueprint (also known as Starcraft 2 Secrets)
Price: $37
-Points out numerous beginner mistakes
-Rapidly improves your game
-Mostly Macro improvements, really easy to learn
-Includes a Campaign mode, to dominate the computer really fast
-Build Orders included
-60-Day Money Back Guarantee
This site is updated frequently by the creator, and it's content is genuine. It performs admirably for the $37 you put into it. Starcraft 2 Secrets is another guide I found, but they are identical in every way. Even websites look similar.
Click here for Starcraft 2 Blueprint
Click here for Starcraft 2 Secrets
Star2Pros "The Worlds Best Selling Starcraft 2 Strategy Guide"Price: $27
-Separate strategies for 1v1 and 2v2 of each race
-Micro and Macro tactics
-How to shrug off other rush tactics, and use their economic disadvantage from rushing against them
-Detailed build orders
-Race specific weaknesses
-no 3v3 or 4v4 strategies, but claim they will be added soon.
-Comes with website membership and updated strategies
-Awesome co-op strategies when working with other races
-Training on Race specialization
-Video examples of each strategy, including game replays
-Of course, build orders, specific to what race you're playing against
-With site membership you get access to tournaments that have real cash prizes
-Money back Guarantee 60-days
This is a very specific and detail oriented guide. It focuses on 1v1 and 2v2 Strategies, and disregards 3v3 and 4v4 matches. Great website, with a lot of interactive material. If I had to recommend one Starcraft 2 Guide it would hands down be Star2Pros. Don't let this discourage you from purchasing other guides, as there are other fantastic guides besides Star2Pros as well.
Click here for Star2Pros Starcraft 2 Guide
Starcraft 2 Training (or Masters)
Price: $14.95 with a $10 a month fee.
-Replays of games and strategies
-updates promised but so far not delivered
-60-day money back guarantee
I don't like this guide at all. They even have a link to Shokz guide on their site. If anything they're admitting Shokz Starcraft 2 Guide is better than theirs. Also with a monthly fee, it's just not worth it. If you're looking for a cheap solution to just read up on for a month, then leave, this may be the guide for you, but it almost pains me to put this link on my blog.
Click here for Starcraft 2 Masters
Starcraft Pwnage
Price: $37
-Developed by expert players
-Starcraft hotkey and command queuing tips
-Forum to ask questions to pros
-Has all the main strategies in detail for each race
(eg. reaper rush Proxying Cheese, Void ray rush, 6 pool
speedlings to muta etc.)
-Also has the counters to each of those strategies
-60-Day Money back guarentee
This guide was complete but not unique in any way. The main thing these guys have going for them, is that they are really well ranked. This just proves that their advice on the forums, and in the guide is truly worthwhile. It proves that it not only works, but works well.
Click here for Starcraft Pwnage
Starcraft 2 Mastery GuidePrice: $37
-Weaknesses to exploit by race and tactic
-Hotkey tactics
-Practice methods
-not from an elite Starcraft 1 gamer, instead from soneone who learned everything starting at Starcraft 2 froms scratch
-Huge compendium of strategies with videos and replays
-Build orders, and how to make unique ones yourself based on the map and players (I really like this section!)
-Great overall guide
-This guide was originally $97 and only available to select players when introduced
-60 Day money back guarentee
This guide is much dirtier than others; it shows extreme harassment techniques to annoy your enemy while preparing your final blow. It is free of biases from Starcraft 1, which is unusual because most people who play Starcraft 2 online now, were Starcraft 1 players back in the day. His unique approach to build orders makes this guide worth it just for that section. The rest of the guide is pretty standard.
Click here for Starcraft 2 Mastery Guide
Shokz Starcraft 2 Guide
Price: $37
-Unique because he separates his guide into 3 completely separate sections (one for each race)
-Teaches you how to balance between Micro and Macro
-Includes a campaign guide
-Includes a map editor guide, teaching you how to make custom maps that range from very simple, to extremely complex
-Super friendly guy, easy to contact and ask questions
-60-day 'Shokz' guarantee (It's a money back guarantee)
-Members area on his website
-Lots of testimonials about how well his guide works
I'm sure you've heard of this one before, It's getting really famous, really fast. My bet is because his guide is popular because It's effective, and his website is very well made. I would highly recommend this guide. It is very well balanced, easy to comprehend and has a ton of cool content.
Click here for Shokz Starcraft 2 Guide
Joana's Starcraft 2 Guide
Price: $37
-From a well known player in the World of Warcraft universe.
He won a leveling contest hosted by Blizzard a few years ago
-Micro and Macro strategies
-Race specific training
-Build orders specific to strategies
-Match-up specific strategies
-Includes 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, and even FFA Strategies
-Videos with commentary
-In depth overview of every multiplayer unit
-Basic quickstart strategies
-includes campaign guide
-60-Day Money back guarantee
This guide is fantastic as well. It's complete, has lots of step to step instructions and will improve your game really fast. I like the in depth overview of each multiplayer unit, including it's strengths, weaknesses and what to use it for. This guide was great in all aspects, but it didn't have anything that blew me away.
Click here for Joana's Starcraft 2 Guide
Gavin Garrett's Ultimate Starcraft 2 GuidePrice: $27
-Applies to all skill levels, very easy to learn fast
-Very strategy based, excellent for players who already have
good micro abilities
-Doesn't teach you what to do, but rather why you should do it
-60-day money back guarentee
His website is very aggressive, and ironically enough, mimics his playstyle and what he teaches you. I can sum this up with "Play Hard, Play Smart". It's not instinct that wins matches according to him, its being smarter and more knowledgeable than your opponent. His guide is also absolutely hilarious.
He mocks other strategies and makes little jokes constantly. It makes for a much easier and more memorable learning experience. I gave it 4 stars because of the content, and did not take into consideration price. There are better guides out there, but they are questionably 10 dollars better.
Click here for The Ultimate Starcraft 2 Guide
