Sunday, December 19, 2010

Terran Strategy: Hellion Into Thor: Mutalisk Defense

Build Order

(10) Supply Depot
(12) Barracks
(13) Refinery
(16) Orbital Command
(18) Factory
(20) Refinery
(21) Tech Lab – Barracks
(25) Infernal Pre-igniter
(26) Tech Lab – Barracks
(36) Command Center
(43) Armory
(43) Barracks
(43) Barracks
Note: Build orders should never stay static and are subject to change based on what your opponent is doing. Remember, this is a RTS: use your brain, be adaptable, profit.

 

General Idea

It is difficult as Terran to go with a heavy Marine Marauder build alone, due to the threat of Speedlings and Banelings. If you like to play with Marine Marauder your best bet is to supplement your army by adding in additional units. Opening up with hellions forces your opponent to get either Roaches or Spine Crawlers, and as such less Zerglings. The switch to Thors happens because many Zerg players transition into Mutalisks during the mid game.

 

Notes

  • The Hellions where not as effective as we would like them to be, this was due to our Zerg opponent having a good defensive positioning on his Queen and Spine crawler, in most cases you should be able to circumvent these and at least do damage at the natural expansion.
  • Getting an expansion around the same time you move out with your Hellions is playing under the assumption that you are going to do some damage and as such will be able to expand without having to worry too much about pressure from your opponent. If, like in this video, the Hellion harass doesn’t go as planned, be sure you have plenty of vision (Grab Zel Naga Towers) to see an attack coming so that you have time to prepare.
  • Spread out your first two Thors to protect both your main and natural from fly by Mutalisk harrassment. Also be sure to have some Marines with your Thors as well, this helps cut back on the effectiveness of a Zerg player “Magic Boxing” against you.



Saturday, December 11, 2010

Zerg Strategy:Ling Roach Muta: Proper Scouting

Build Order

(15) Spawning Pool
(15) Extractor
(16) Queen
(19) Hatchery
(22) Metabolic Boost
(23) Queen
(30) Roach Warren
(46) Lair
(60) Spire
Note: Build orders should never stay static and are subject to change based on what your opponent is doing. Remember, this is a RTS: use your brain, be adaptable, profit.

General Idea

The Speedling Mutalisk build is very strong, however Terran players have started to adapt and are regularly opening with Hellions in order to deal with early Speedlings and hurt our economy. As a response to that you are going to want to get some Roaches early game, this will also protect you from any sort of an early Marine push. From there you want to transition into Speedling Muta simply because it is such a solid build that allows you to harass and contain a Terran opponent.

Notes

  • Fast expanding has become almost a requirement for many Zerg players, the added economy benefit is great but one of the primary reasons for fast expanding is that extra larva.
  • When scouting your opponents base the important thing to be looking for aside from what buildings are down, are what attachments are on what buildings. If you don’t know already here is what you can expect in the following scenarios:
    Reactor – Factory: Hellions are on the way
    Tech Lab – Factory: Many options: Hellions with infernal pre-igniter, Siege Tanks, Thors (look for Armory for the Thor)
    Tech Lab – Starport: Expect Banshees in your base shortly
  • When engaging Thors with Mutalisks you need to be sure to spread them out. Remember Thors do lots of splash damage, so when your Mutalisks are clumped together they take significantly more damage.





































 Download link
http://www.sc2win.com/starcraft-2-replays/tvz-zvt/kas-vs-nerchio-1/

Protoss Strategy: 3 Gate Robo: Econ Heavy

Build Order

(9) Pylon
(12) Gateway
(15) Assimilator
(18) Cybernetics Core
(20) Assimilator
(22) Warp Gate Research
(24) Robotics Facility
(28) Gateway
(32) Gateway
(34) Nexus
(45) Robotics Bay
Note: Build orders should never stay static and are subject to change based on what your opponent is doing. Remember, this is a RTS: use your brain, be adaptable, profit.




General Idea


You are going to attempt to get up a fast expansion and work on your economy (producing probes) while making just enough to defend yourself. In order to do this properly you will need to scout and be sure you are prepared for any possible early pressure from your opponent. Sentries can be a godsend early on and protect you from an early Marine Marauder push from your opponent.







Notes:
  • Scouting is king, always, remember that. Depending on what you scout and what your expecting to see your decisions in the game will be drastically different. In scouting that the Terran player was not in a position to push out early, we are able to safely get up our expansion.
  • If you see banshees you are going to want to make sure you have some Stalkers near by to protect your mineral line. Having an observer near your base as well is a good idea, if cloak goes down you are going to need your observer.
  • Siege tanks can ruin your day, your best bet when tanks are outside of your base is is to pull back with your forces, then try to catch them off guard and un-sieged.



Download link

http://www.sc2win.com/starcraft-2-replays/tvp-pvt/whitera-vs-tarson-1-2/