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So far, I've only played as protoss against the A.I. However, I have to some extent thought out a strategy against the different races, based on youtube tutorials, and my experience as terran. I'll write more about that in the section below, though.
PvZ
Start producing producing probes, which I'll continue doing throughout the game, unless I reach a point where I am close to having 3 bases fully saturated.
At 8-9 probes, I place down a pylon at the entrance. The probe then starts scouting.
I then build a gateway next to the pylon mentioned above.
Two more pylons, and an assimilator for gas.
Once gateway is done, immediately build cybernetics core.
Start warping in zealots.
Second assimilator.
More pylons as the need arises, trying not to get supply blocked. From this point in game I have no real structure when it comes to them. Attempt to place them around the base, in order to power structures.
Set up 2 more gateways.
As cybernetics core finishes, I immediately research warp gates. I start producing sentries mixed with a few stalkers, depending on whether the opponent is using air units.
At this point, I generally produce a few more units, move out, and expand.
Once warp gates is done researching, I transform all gateways, and research hallucinations for the sentries. Which I'll use to create fake phoenix scouts.
From this point on, very little structure. I keep constructing warp gates if mineral piles up, while trying to continuously produce zealots, stalkers and sentries, as well as probes from both nexuses. I will try to tech up simultaneously, producing a few colossi and immortals and upgrading my units. My goal will then be to push out while expanding to a third base. Taking control over the map, setting up a forward pylon, pushing, and winning the game.
If the game goes on for a long time, I'll research random upgrades for my units, expand as my bases run out of resources, try to obtain map control, create a ton of warp gates, and eventually do an air push with a mothership, carriers, void rays and colossi, backed up by several forward pylons, used to create an enormous push against his front gate as the air push dies. If this fails, and unless my opponent is a natural born turtle, I'll most likely lose from a counter push and backdoor drops.
Now, as “PvZ” would suggest, this is my opening and gameplan versus zerg. It is also, however, my opening and gameplan versus terran and protoss.
PvZ
Start producing producing probes, which I'll continue doing throughout the game, unless I reach a point where I am close to having 3 bases fully saturated.
At 8-9 probes, I place down a pylon at the entrance. The probe then starts scouting.
I then build a gateway next to the pylon mentioned above.
Two more pylons, and an assimilator for gas.
Once gateway is done, immediately build cybernetics core.
Start warping in zealots.
Second assimilator.
More pylons as the need arises, trying not to get supply blocked. From this point in game I have no real structure when it comes to them. Attempt to place them around the base, in order to power structures.
Set up 2 more gateways.
As cybernetics core finishes, I immediately research warp gates. I start producing sentries mixed with a few stalkers, depending on whether the opponent is using air units.
At this point, I generally produce a few more units, move out, and expand.
Once warp gates is done researching, I transform all gateways, and research hallucinations for the sentries. Which I'll use to create fake phoenix scouts.
From this point on, very little structure. I keep constructing warp gates if mineral piles up, while trying to continuously produce zealots, stalkers and sentries, as well as probes from both nexuses. I will try to tech up simultaneously, producing a few colossi and immortals and upgrading my units. My goal will then be to push out while expanding to a third base. Taking control over the map, setting up a forward pylon, pushing, and winning the game.
If the game goes on for a long time, I'll research random upgrades for my units, expand as my bases run out of resources, try to obtain map control, create a ton of warp gates, and eventually do an air push with a mothership, carriers, void rays and colossi, backed up by several forward pylons, used to create an enormous push against his front gate as the air push dies. If this fails, and unless my opponent is a natural born turtle, I'll most likely lose from a counter push and backdoor drops.
Now, as “PvZ” would suggest, this is my opening and gameplan versus zerg. It is also, however, my opening and gameplan versus terran and protoss.
Here was my advice:
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hey, reading through your survey now i can tell you've put some thought into how you want to structure your build order and play style. thanks! first thing I notice is ALWAYS build your pylon on 9 (never 8) I see that you build a gateway next, make sure this is on 13 supply (After using 2 chronoboost on your nexus).
You then mention 2 new pylons, I'd change this a bit. gas on 15, then a single pylon on 16 is better. Cyber core when gateway finishes is great, just remember to chronoboost your probes at least 3-4 times in the earlier stages
I also think it's great that you go for 2 more gateways for a total of 3, but you should be warping in mixed production of zealots/sentries/stalkers. generally you add these 2 gateways in the mid 20s of supply, and aim to get a pylon across the map . Once you reach 2-3 warp ins (roughly 7-10 units) you can start to pressure your opponent WHILE you expand yourself
one of the keys to first lesson will be helping you perfect these early stages, but i'd also like to add a bit more structure to the midgame. If you build a robo after you expand, you can build 2 observers (one for base detection one for scouting) and skip the hallucinated phoenix. On 2 bases, I'd like for you to aim for 3 more gateways (a total of 6) so you can go for another little bit of pressure in the midgame while you expand again. The sequence looks like this:
1Gate --> 3Gate --> Expansion --> Robo/Probes --> 6 Gate --> Expansion
You mentioned some random upgrades, I'm going to recommend sticking to +1 on a forge sometime in the midgame and maybe EVENTUALLY aiming for blink stalkers and +2
if you find you can't keep money low with 6 gates, you can also produce some immortals (or colossus)
but your primary focus will be keeping your early-game timings PRECISE and CONSISTENT, and keeping that production steady on probes/gateway units/pylons in the midgame. You'll have multiple chances to scout: 1) From probe, 2) from first stalker you build, 3) from your 3-gate warpin push, 4) from your observer, 5) from your 6-gate warpin push
You then mention 2 new pylons, I'd change this a bit. gas on 15, then a single pylon on 16 is better. Cyber core when gateway finishes is great, just remember to chronoboost your probes at least 3-4 times in the earlier stages
I also think it's great that you go for 2 more gateways for a total of 3, but you should be warping in mixed production of zealots/sentries/stalkers. generally you add these 2 gateways in the mid 20s of supply, and aim to get a pylon across the map . Once you reach 2-3 warp ins (roughly 7-10 units) you can start to pressure your opponent WHILE you expand yourself
one of the keys to first lesson will be helping you perfect these early stages, but i'd also like to add a bit more structure to the midgame. If you build a robo after you expand, you can build 2 observers (one for base detection one for scouting) and skip the hallucinated phoenix. On 2 bases, I'd like for you to aim for 3 more gateways (a total of 6) so you can go for another little bit of pressure in the midgame while you expand again. The sequence looks like this:
1Gate --> 3Gate --> Expansion --> Robo/Probes --> 6 Gate --> Expansion
You mentioned some random upgrades, I'm going to recommend sticking to +1 on a forge sometime in the midgame and maybe EVENTUALLY aiming for blink stalkers and +2
if you find you can't keep money low with 6 gates, you can also produce some immortals (or colossus)
but your primary focus will be keeping your early-game timings PRECISE and CONSISTENT, and keeping that production steady on probes/gateway units/pylons in the midgame. You'll have multiple chances to scout: 1) From probe, 2) from first stalker you build, 3) from your 3-gate warpin push, 4) from your observer, 5) from your 6-gate warpin push
I would appreciate any feedback from you guys as to how I can improve the efficiency of my time with him. Thanks!
- Tang
