EPT1v1:
Zerg(29 games)
(14)ZvZ: 7-7 50.0%
(8)ZvP: 4- 4 50.0%
(7)ZvT: 5- 2 71.4%
16-13 55.1%
This Season:
Zerg(71 games)
(28)ZvZ: 16-12 57.1%
(30)ZvP: 18-12 60.0%
(13)ZvT: 8- 5 61.5%
42-29 59.1%
I've noticed a general trend in the players I've been playing against, namely that they are starting to expand earlier and get 3rd bases quickly and safely. I'm running into stronger openings too. After that winning streak I had last report, I'm getting matched up against much tougher opponents on average. Also, I finally got promoted to masters once they fixed whatever bug was going on.
ZvZ:
Okay, my last report went quite in-depth regarding a big problem with my ZvZ, and I've since tried several ways to fix it, and none have worked. I've been racking my brain over this. The general problem is that my build is a bit on the "cheesy" side, which I'm not necessarily against, since IMO it's pretty strong (or at least that was my opinion). The problem is that if my opponent gets a baneling nest before 5:00, my attack is pretty much doomed, and further, I have no way to defend his imminent attack. I've tried sim-cities and sunks and backstabs, and sometimes they have worked, but they've been working less and less lately, because they just aren't good answers. And baneling nest by 5:00 is pretty much standard for 14/14 speedling/baneling AFAIK.
I have one more potential solution. Normally, building a roach warren upon scouting their baneling nest just doesn't work, because it would take just a bit too long. But one option is to build the roach warren at around 5 minutes, get a scouting ling in to see if there's a baneling nest building, cancel and continue with my build if there isn't, or get roaches out in time to help defend the banelings if there is. But I honestly don't think this is a very good solution either.
I may have to give up my build and adopt something stronger.
Any suggestions? What ZvZ builds do you guys use and why?
ZvT:
I've played several custom games with my practice partner who plays Terran, and it has definitely improved my ZvT. I'm still a bit shaky, because as I mentioned before, it seems like every game is unique, trying to figure out what my opponent is gonna throw at me, and if it's going to include a dozen SCVs with it or not. But still I have gained some confidence in this matchup.
Recently I'm really liking roach/baneling to deal with tank/marine compositions. Banelings force the marines to run (and kill some) while the roaches clean up the tanks and chase down marines after. What seems really great is that, if I win convincingly on the field, I can just steamroll right in. Banelings can blow up walls/bunkers, and the roaches can just be too much to stop. Of course, even if I go roach/baneling, I still need to get a spire to deal with drops and to give myself a tech switch to muta/ling if they start to switch over to tank/marauder too heavily.
Another thing I've started doing is placing sunks in all my bases once I've got a strong 3+ base economy going. Even if I have a ball of mutas, Terrans are making use of dropping main and 3rd while advancing with their tank/marine line on the field, and the mutas just can't be everywhere at once. I can't split my mutas either, because they'll fall to easily trying to clean up drops. Drops really are just a pain in the ass. So the point of sunks is just to buy time to save my drones/hatch while I get something there to clean up the drop.
I really don't get why I don't run into many Terrans on ladder.
ZvP:
I've been running into stronger Protoss opponents as of late. 3base max -> push with good macro is giving me trouble. Sometimes, I'm unsure if my current plan of muta harass first into mass roach is all that great. The mutas are such a large investment. Admittedly, their goal is to harass, scout, and discourage colossi or immortal, but it just seems like I could have so many more roaches if I skipped that.
I'm gonna try out some new things in this matchup and see what feels right.
Questions, comments, and constructive criticism welcome.
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