• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 08:34
CET 14:34
KST 22:34
  • 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
RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners12Intel X Team Liquid Seoul event: Showmatches and Meet the Pros10
Community News
Weekly Cups (Nov 24-30): MaxPax, Clem, herO win1BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced14[BSL21] Ro.16 Group Stage (C->B->A->D)4Weekly Cups (Nov 17-23): Solar, MaxPax, Clem win3RSL Season 3: RO16 results & RO8 bracket13
StarCraft 2
General
SC2 Proleague Discontinued; SKT, KT, SGK, CJ disband Weekly Cups (Nov 24-30): MaxPax, Clem, herO win BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced Information Request Regarding Chinese Ladder SC: Evo Complete - Ranked Ladder OPEN ALPHA
Tourneys
$5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship Constellation Cup - Main Event - Stellar Fest RSL Revival: Season 3 Tenacious Turtle Tussle [Alpha Pro Series] Nice vs Cure
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 502 Negative Reinforcement Mutation # 501 Price of Progress Mutation # 500 Fright night Mutation # 499 Chilling Adaptation
Brood War
General
Which season is the best in ASL? BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ FlaSh's Valkyrie Copium BW General Discussion A cwal.gg Extension - Easily keep track of anyone
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL21] RO16 Group B - Sunday 21:00 CET [BSL21] RO16 Group C - Saturday 21:00 CET Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Game Theory for Starcraft How to stay on top of macro? Current Meta PvZ map balance
Other Games
General Games
Should offensive tower rushing be viable in RTS games? The Perfect Game Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
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
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
Russo-Ukrainian War Thread US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine The Big Programming Thread Artificial Intelligence Thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2026 Football Thread NBA General Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Where to ask questions and add stream? The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Esports Earnings: Bigger Pri…
TrAiDoS
Thanks for the RSL
Hildegard
Saturation point
Uldridge
DnB/metal remix FFO Mick Go…
ImbaTosS
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2328 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 States5724 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
Singapore66357 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
Wardi Open
12:00
#63
WardiTV691
TKL 252
Rex130
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Reynor 388
Harstem 278
Lowko271
TKL 252
Fuzer 203
Rex 130
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 46048
Jaedong 1213
Soma 895
Mini 767
actioN 738
Stork 697
firebathero 675
BeSt 559
Light 513
EffOrt 376
[ Show more ]
hero 332
PianO 202
Zeus 186
Killer 171
Pusan 115
sorry 84
Barracks 83
Sharp 77
Hyun 66
Snow 59
Aegong 56
ggaemo 55
Sea.KH 46
Mong 43
Terrorterran 32
JYJ31
soO 30
JulyZerg 27
zelot 22
Sacsri 20
scan(afreeca) 17
Noble 16
Shinee 15
Bale 13
ajuk12(nOOB) 12
SilentControl 10
Dota 2
singsing2778
Dendi808
XcaliburYe218
Counter-Strike
olofmeister2953
x6flipin634
zeus123
edward90
Other Games
crisheroes365
Pyrionflax299
hiko268
Mew2King115
QueenE46
MindelVK13
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick786
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 13 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 68
• Light_VIP 28
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV229
Upcoming Events
Monday Night Weeklies
3h 27m
StarCraft2.fi
3h 27m
Replay Cast
10h 27m
Wardi Open
22h 27m
StarCraft2.fi
1d 3h
PiGosaur Monday
1d 11h
Wardi Open
1d 22h
StarCraft2.fi
2 days
Replay Cast
2 days
The PondCast
2 days
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
3 days
Korean StarCraft League
4 days
CranKy Ducklings
4 days
SC Evo League
4 days
BSL 21
5 days
Sziky vs OyAji
Gypsy vs eOnzErG
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
BSL 21
6 days
Bonyth vs StRyKeR
Tarson vs Dandy
Replay Cast
6 days
Wardi Open
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-11-28
RSL Revival: Season 3
Eternal Conflict S1

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
YSL S2
BSL Season 21
CSCL: Masked Kings S3
Slon Tour Season 2
Acropolis #4 - TS3
META Madness #9
Light HT
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2

Upcoming

BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
RSL Offline Finals
WardiTV 2025
Kuram Kup
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026: Closed Qualifier
eXTREMESLAND 2025
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 © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.