• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 16:47
CEST 22:47
KST 05:47
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL21] Ro4 Preview: On Course12Code S Season 1 - RO8 Preview7[ASL21] Ro8 Preview Pt2: Progenitors8Code S Season 1 - RO12 Group A: Rogue, Percival, Solar, Zoun13[ASL21] Ro8 Preview Pt1: Inheritors16
Community News
Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO8 Results1Weekly Cups (May 4-10): Clem, MaxPax, herO win1Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !11Weekly Cups (April 27-May 4): Clem takes triple0RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event12
StarCraft 2
General
Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO8 Results MaNa leaves Team Liquid Weekly Cups (May 4-10): Clem, MaxPax, herO win Code S Season 1 - RO8 Preview Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book
Tourneys
2026 GSL Season 2 Qualifiers Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule ! $5,000 WardiTV Spring Championship 2026 SC2 INu's Battles#16 <BO.9> Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2)
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players
External Content
Mutation # 525 Wheel of Misfortune The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 524 Death and Taxes Mutation # 523 Firewall
Brood War
General
Flashes ASL S21 Ro8 Review Pros React to: TvT Masterclass in FlaSh vs Light vespene.gg — BW replays in browser BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BW General Discussion
Tourneys
[ASL21] Semifinals B [BSL22] RO8 Bracket Stage + Another TieBreaker Small VOD Thread 2.0 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Fighting Spirit mining rates [G] Hydra ZvZ: An Introduction Simple Questions, Simple Answers Muta micro map competition
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Starcraft Tabletop Miniature Game PC Games Sales Thread
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread UK Politics Mega-thread YouTube Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
streaming software Strange computer issues (software) [G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How EEG Data Can Predict Gam…
TrAiDoS
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1974 users

Protoss Grouping orders : ESC.Iefnaij

Blogs > Kage
Post a Reply
Kage
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
India788 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-08-23 06:21:53
August 23 2009 04:27 GMT
#1
I'm on a mission to write down every single protoss pro players grouping orders. I'll start with the one closest to what I use (I started playing toss and more or less converged to the same grouping order JF uses here.).

I know there's a thread about protoss grouping orders but it didn't list all the top guys, which I plan to do at the very least for myself.

[image loading]


JF grouping.

Early game

1/2/3/4 - Nexus
5/6/7/8/9/0 - Empty

Early-Mid game

1 - Nexus main
2 - scouting probe
3 - building probe (probe to build units usually at base)
4 - First gateway
5 - second gateway
6/7/8/9 - Empty
0 - Nexus Main.

Mid game

1 - Nexus main
2 - Main unit army (dragoons/zealots)
3 - Shuttle
4/5/6 - Gate
9 - Third expo nexus
9- Expo nexus
0 - main nexus

Late Game

1/2/3/4 - units
5 - shuttle and it's units
6/7 - Gateways
8 - 3rd expo
9- 2nd expo
0 - main nexus

If units really spill out (or too many) he puts shuttle at 6/7 and all units 1-5. Then nexus's remain the same.
I'll edit this as I see other players too. I don't know how he places his fingers on each key though, that would be really cool to see an fpvod of his as well I guess.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[image loading]


White-Ra Grouping.


Early game

6 - Nexus main
Rest empty.

Early-Mid game

1 - Building probe
6 - Nexus Main
0 - 1st Gateway

Then

1 - Scouting probe
2 - building probe
6 - Nexus
0 - 1st Gateway.

Mid game

1 - Dragoon/Zealot - Main unit pack that comes out
2 - scouting probe
6 - main nexus
9 - Second building being produced (example: robotics facility)
0 - 1st Gateway.

which goes on to become

1 - Dragoons/Main units --> units
2 - Observer -->units
3 - Shuttle
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 - 3rd Gateway (if second is on 9)
9 - Second gateway/Second production building whatever it is.
0 - 1st Gateway.

Late Game

1 - Dragoons/Main units --> units filling to 12
2 - Filling units to 12
3 - Usually Zealots but can be third set of units.
4 - Shuttle
5 -
6 - Nexus Main
7 -
8 - 3rd Gateway (if second is on 9)
9 - Second gateway/Second production building whatever it is.
0 - 1st Gateway.

Here on

1/2/3/4/5 - Units
6 - Main nexus
8/9/0 - Gateways.


Camlito
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
Australia4040 Posts
August 23 2009 04:39 GMT
#2
Exact same early game hotkeys as me when i play P xD.
sAviOr...
ghermination
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States2851 Posts
August 23 2009 04:50 GMT
#3
i thought 8-0 was standard for nexus? Especially early game because its closer to P?
U Gotta Skate.
FirstBorn
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
Romania3955 Posts
August 23 2009 04:55 GMT
#4
There are some people who use 4 or 5 for the nexus, progamers and top foreigners. I for one can't play protoss unless I use 8-0 for nexuses ( actually, I have the same hotkey pattern like Iefnaij, 100%), putting the main nexus somewhere else than 0 would be really weird.
SonuvBob: Yes, the majority of TL is college-aged, and thus clearly stupid.
Kage
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
India788 Posts
August 23 2009 04:56 GMT
#5
I have White-Ra's which i'll update, he uses 6 for his nexus and 7/8/9/0 = gateways.
numLoCK
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Canada1416 Posts
August 23 2009 05:14 GMT
#6
I've never understood how people can just change hotkeys during a game like that. When I use 1/2 for my Nexus I cannot just switch them to units, I'll always try to use them to get back to my base...
29 fps
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States5725 Posts
August 23 2009 05:25 GMT
#7
in mid game, main nexus is there twice. is that supposed to be like that?
4v4 is a battle of who has the better computer.
lazz
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Australia3119 Posts
August 23 2009 05:34 GMT
#8
On August 23 2009 14:14 numLoCK wrote:
I've never understood how people can just change hotkeys during a game like that. When I use 1/2 for my Nexus I cannot just switch them to units, I'll always try to use them to get back to my base...

late game youre not supposed to use nexus hotkeys to get back to base. you're supposed to use F2, or if you're macroing out of gateways, alt+gatewayhotkey to center over your gateways.
GreEny K
Profile Joined February 2008
Germany7312 Posts
August 23 2009 06:03 GMT
#9
I could never get used to 123 nexus, I always have to use the 90 for the nexus. 0 for scout 9 nexus 87 expos 6 robo/obs and the rest are army and 5 is usually 1 gate so i can center to gates.
Why would you ever choose failure, when success is an option.
Kage
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
India788 Posts
August 23 2009 06:19 GMT
#10
White-Ra Grouping.


Early game

6 - Nexus main
Rest empty.

Early-Mid game


1 - Building probe
6 - Nexus Main
0 - 1st Gateway

Then

1 - Scouting probe
2 - building probe
6 - Nexus
0 - 1st Gateway.


Mid game


1 - Dragoon/Zealot - Main unit pack that comes out
2 - scouting probe
6 - main nexus
9 - Second building being produced (example: robotics facility)
0 - 1st Gateway.

which goes on to become

1 - Dragoons/Main units --> units
2 - Observer -->units
3 - Shuttle
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 - 3rd Gateway (if second is on 9)
9 - Second gateway/Second production building whatever it is.
0 - 1st Gateway.


Late Game


1 - Dragoons/Main units --> units filling to 12
2 - Filling units to 12
3 - Usually Zealots but can be third set of units.
4 - Shuttle
5 -
6 - Nexus Main
7 -
8 - 3rd Gateway (if second is on 9)
9 - Second gateway/Second production building whatever it is.
0 - 1st Gateway.

Here on

1/2/3/4/5 - Units
6 - Main nexus
8/9/0 - Gateways.

Licmyobelisk
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Philippines3682 Posts
August 23 2009 06:54 GMT
#11
do the pro gamers use F2 F3 F4?
I don't think I've ever wished my opponent good luck prior to a game. When I play, I play to win. I hope every opponent I ever have is cursed with fucking terrible luck. I hope they're stuck playing underneath a stepladder with a black cat in attendance a
Kula
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States140 Posts
August 23 2009 07:03 GMT
#12
^Indeed.
FirstBorn
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
Romania3955 Posts
August 23 2009 07:27 GMT
#13
On August 23 2009 15:54 Licmyobelisk wrote:
do the pro gamers use F2 F3 F4?


Yes, for their Nexuses/CC's/Hatcheries. F2, F3 and F4 should replace the hotkeys you used to get to your main, expo and min only once you get into lategame.
SonuvBob: Yes, the majority of TL is college-aged, and thus clearly stupid.
CorsairHero
Profile Joined December 2008
Canada9491 Posts
August 23 2009 07:31 GMT
#14
On August 23 2009 15:54 Licmyobelisk wrote:
do the pro gamers use F2 F3 F4?

usually its F2 for main, F3 for natural and F4 for macro area / 3rd base
© Current year.
SilverSkyLark
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
Philippines8437 Posts
August 23 2009 07:33 GMT
#15
Weird, I have a different set of hotkeys that was influenced heavily when I switched from Terran.
"If i lost an arm, I would play w3." -IntoTheWow || "Member of Hyuk Hyuk Hyuk cafe. He's the next Jaedong, baby!"
konadora *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Singapore66363 Posts
August 23 2009 08:11 GMT
#16
Wow kinda different from mine

I use 0 for nexus
1-4 for army
5-7 for gateways
8 for robo
9 for stargate
POGGERS
Funnytoss
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
Taiwan1471 Posts
August 23 2009 12:12 GMT
#17
When I started playing SC in a more "competitive" way (i.e., learning BOs, standard play) I started off mostly watching Nony's FPVODs and replays so I copied the 12Nexus hotkey setup and have stuck with it ever since. Tried switching to 9p0p after reading Tasteless' comments about the issue but found out that it was just too big of a switch for me. At the lower levels it seems like it doesn't matter all that much anyway so long as you have everything that you need hotkeyed, regardless of location.
AIV_Funnytoss and sGs.Funnytoss on iCCup
DreaM)XeRO
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Korea (South)4667 Posts
August 23 2009 14:30 GMT
#18
i dont get how people group their nexus as "1" .. my fingers dont go from "1" to "p" that quickly
cw)minsean(ru
Funnytoss
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
Taiwan1471 Posts
August 23 2009 15:19 GMT
#19
Well, I actually use my mouse to click on the "build probe" button - to me, it beats moving from the left side of the keyboard to the right, which you'd have to do even if you were using a 9,0 nexus setup since most of the time your hand is to the left anyway.
AIV_Funnytoss and sGs.Funnytoss on iCCup
Kage
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
India788 Posts
August 23 2009 18:06 GMT
#20
Ya nony and those that use 1 for nexus just use the mouse to press the potrait button. He doesn't seem to have done too bad with that at all.
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 3h 13m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 477
JuggernautJason79
mouzStarbuck 49
CosmosSc2 19
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 17842
NaDa 7
Dota 2
Gorgc6947
NeuroSwarm13
League of Legends
Doublelift3626
summit1g635
Counter-Strike
pashabiceps2168
fl0m2079
Fnx 1740
allub409
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu365
Other Games
Grubby5382
tarik_tv2090
Liquid`RaSZi1595
FrodaN1499
B2W.Neo367
monkeys_forever234
C9.Mang0201
Hui .186
KnowMe164
ArmadaUGS107
UpATreeSC90
Mew2King55
Livibee49
ViBE4
Organizations
StarCraft 2
angryscii 27
Other Games
BasetradeTV0
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 20 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 49
• Reevou 4
• Kozan
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• sooper7s
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Migwel
• intothetv
• IndyKCrew
StarCraft: Brood War
• blackmanpl 40
• HerbMon 14
• Michael_bg 10
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota2522
• lizZardDota248
Other Games
• imaqtpie1274
• Shiphtur346
• WagamamaTV189
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
3h 13m
RSL Revival
13h 13m
Classic vs Solar
herO vs SHIN
OSC
16h 13m
Big Brain Bouts
19h 13m
sebesdes vs Iba
Percival vs YoungYakov
Reynor vs GgMaChine
Korean StarCraft League
1d 6h
RSL Revival
1d 13h
Clem vs Rogue
Bunny vs Lambo
IPSL
1d 19h
Dewalt vs nOmaD
Ret vs Cross
BSL
1d 22h
Bonyth vs Doodle
Dewalt vs TerrOr
GSL
2 days
Cure vs herO
SHIN vs Maru
IPSL
2 days
Bonyth vs Napoleon
G5 vs JDConan
[ Show More ]
BSL
2 days
OyAji vs JDConan
DragOn vs TBD
Replay Cast
3 days
Monday Night Weeklies
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
The PondCast
4 days
GSL
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
GSL
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-05-13
WardiTV TLMC #16
Nations Cup 2026

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
ASL Season 21
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
Acropolis #4
KK 2v2 League Season 1
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
SCTL 2026 Spring
RSL Revival: Season 5
2026 GSL S1
Heroes Pulsing #1
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S2: W7
YSL S3
Escore Tournament S2: W8
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Maestros of the Game 2
WardiTV Spring 2026
2026 GSL S2
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.