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Hello again, TeamLiquid!
After watching Life's run in the GSL, I've decided to try and adopt this style. It's really effective; his constant aggression, counterattacks, use of mutalisks....just so impressive. Warning: GSL spoiler + Show Spoiler +He won 3-0 against Taeja, and 2 of the games were won at lair tech with muta/ling/bane I believe
The exceptional use of mutalisks, zerglings, and banelings has really caused me to re-think how I play ZvT. Here is the first game I played using this style (~500 pts Master league): http://drop.sc/263798
I open with 15h/16p/18 gas to get a fast metabolic boost upgrade before stopping mining gas. I take a 6:00 third (a bit later, but I lost an overlord that ended up scouting....nothing lol). 3 queens fast speed enables me to effectively deal with marine pressure, as well as engage hellions cost efficiently while their numbers are low (talking 2-4 hellions here).
I play sorta badly in this game, but it's more than enough to beat this guy. For some reason, my mutalisks went ape shit and killed everything, and he only sent marines in groups of 5 or so. He eventually stabilizes, after losing many tanks, marines, SCVs, and mining time. By taking a fourth as soon as I scouted his third inbase orbital, I was able to get a huge economy rolling (lol too many supply blocks). Because of the fast ling speed I was able to get ~12 lings and focus on pure drones after that, saturating my third and getting a large economy. I got double evos slightly later than is standard, and they were timed out decently for 250 gas for +1/+1.
I'm thinking that if I avoided supply blocks, got a later macro hatch or pumped more lings, and was more active with my speedlings, it would've been an even better victory. Better mutalisk control would've also helped.
By getting a reasonably timed infestation pit I can get greater spire in time for his desperation marine/tank push, and I even manage to forget +3/+3 and crackling (hehe).
Basically, there's a lot of improvement for me to do, but I like this build WAY more than the 6 queen opener. It's decent against hellion/banshee, great against 2 base bio timings, and forces him to play really defensive because of the fast gas. More active scouting would enable a Zerg player using this style to aggressively punish a player who skimps on defense. It seems all around very powerful, and I can see why it is ST_Life's go-to ZvT style.
Moar spoiler:+ Show Spoiler +Best of luck to him in the GSL Code S Finals! If he can beat MVP then he may break the metagame... :D :D
I encourage you to watch the replay. It's not particularly high level, but the guy's about my skill level and I tore him apart. If I hadn't maxed on lings, I would've delayed using my creep spread (from only 3 active tumors), and broodlords would've been out in time.
For the record, I sacrificed those mutas on purpose to free up supply for corruptors. I probably should've done this with a ling run-by so he can't instantly move out like in this game. Fortunately, it didn't matter.
Oh, and I remembered to research burrow for the first time! :D
Thank you guys for reading <3
 
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United States15275 Posts
Well the thing is muta/ling/bane not really his go-to style. It's one strategy in his total arsenal and he is finally comfortable enough with it that he can play so well on the big stages.
But it's wonderful to see that you've been inspired by him! I think the fundamentals of his play truly exploit the strengths of zerg and I hope more players of all ranks look up to his play in the future.
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Life always inspires my gameplay. i have been using nyduses vs Protoss every since he has.
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On October 12 2012 10:00 CosmicSpiral wrote:
Well the thing is muta/ling/bane not really his go-to style. It's one strategy in his total arsenal and he is finally comfortable enough with it that he can play so well on the big stages.
But it's wonderful to see that you've been inspired by him! I think the fundamentals of his play truly exploit the strengths of zerg and I hope more players of all ranks look up to his play in the future.
Really? That's awkward.
I've only seen a few games of his, but he seems to power lair tech hard. I've only seen him go mutas, but I have no doubt he destroys with infestor/ling/bane too 
Agreed! It seems like the way Zerg is meant to be played, at least in my opinion. Fast ling speed really gives you control of the game from some ridiculously early time (~6:20), and then 3 base mutalisk with double upgrades sets you up to be in control of the game from then onward.
Also, a 9:00 fourth is pretty sick too. I reached sauron zerg status before the guy could even deny any creep spread, LOL
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On October 12 2012 10:05 Doubting wrote:
Life always inspires my gameplay. i have been using nyduses vs Protoss every since he has.
I've never seen his ZvP :C
Just wondering, what type of nydus? 1 base cheese? Or as a general midgame way to be aggressive?
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United States15275 Posts
On October 12 2012 10:17 Mavvie wrote:Show nested quote +On October 12 2012 10:00 CosmicSpiral wrote:
Well the thing is muta/ling/bane not really his go-to style. It's one strategy in his total arsenal and he is finally comfortable enough with it that he can play so well on the big stages.
But it's wonderful to see that you've been inspired by him! I think the fundamentals of his play truly exploit the strengths of zerg and I hope more players of all ranks look up to his play in the future. Really? That's awkward. I've only seen a few games of his, but he seems to power lair tech hard. I've only seen him go mutas, but I have no doubt he destroys with infestor/ling/bane too Agreed! It seems like the way Zerg is meant to be played, at least in my opinion. Fast ling speed really gives you control of the game from some ridiculously early time (~6:20), and then 3 base mutalisk with double upgrades sets you up to be in control of the game from then onward. Also, a 9:00 fourth is pretty sick too. I reached sauron zerg status before the guy could even deny any creep spread, LOL
If you can watch his games vs IMHappy (GSL) and MVPKeen (TSL4), you will see he loves to tech to fast hive as well.
Fast ling speed is an important part of his play. Speedlings are so versatile that they fulfill every function that makes his play so strong. It's hard to explain as Life's fundamental strengths are abstract and even most pro players don't have said strengths to the extent he does.
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On October 12 2012 10:27 CosmicSpiral wrote:Show nested quote +On October 12 2012 10:17 Mavvie wrote:On October 12 2012 10:00 CosmicSpiral wrote:
Well the thing is muta/ling/bane not really his go-to style. It's one strategy in his total arsenal and he is finally comfortable enough with it that he can play so well on the big stages.
But it's wonderful to see that you've been inspired by him! I think the fundamentals of his play truly exploit the strengths of zerg and I hope more players of all ranks look up to his play in the future. Really? That's awkward. I've only seen a few games of his, but he seems to power lair tech hard. I've only seen him go mutas, but I have no doubt he destroys with infestor/ling/bane too Agreed! It seems like the way Zerg is meant to be played, at least in my opinion. Fast ling speed really gives you control of the game from some ridiculously early time (~6:20), and then 3 base mutalisk with double upgrades sets you up to be in control of the game from then onward. Also, a 9:00 fourth is pretty sick too. I reached sauron zerg status before the guy could even deny any creep spread, LOL If you can watch his games vs IMHappy (GSL) and MVPKeen (TSL4), you will see he loves to tech to fast hive as well. Fast ling speed is an important part of his play. Speedlings are so versatile that they fulfill every function that makes his play so strong. It's hard to explain as Life's fundamental strengths are abstract and even most pro players don't have said strengths to the extent he does.
Okay, I'll be sure to watch those!
Why do so few Zergs open fast speed? I feel like 6 queen is better against reactor hellion expand, but fast speed is amazing against cc first/1rax FE -> hellion/banshee
I loved the fast speed, despite not using it. He wants to move out with hellions? Nope! He wants to do some marine pressure? Try again! You're gonna try and take your third? Not today!
Map control is fun lol
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United States15275 Posts
On October 12 2012 10:32 Mavvie wrote:Show nested quote +On October 12 2012 10:27 CosmicSpiral wrote:On October 12 2012 10:17 Mavvie wrote:On October 12 2012 10:00 CosmicSpiral wrote:
Well the thing is muta/ling/bane not really his go-to style. It's one strategy in his total arsenal and he is finally comfortable enough with it that he can play so well on the big stages.
But it's wonderful to see that you've been inspired by him! I think the fundamentals of his play truly exploit the strengths of zerg and I hope more players of all ranks look up to his play in the future. Really? That's awkward. I've only seen a few games of his, but he seems to power lair tech hard. I've only seen him go mutas, but I have no doubt he destroys with infestor/ling/bane too Agreed! It seems like the way Zerg is meant to be played, at least in my opinion. Fast ling speed really gives you control of the game from some ridiculously early time (~6:20), and then 3 base mutalisk with double upgrades sets you up to be in control of the game from then onward. Also, a 9:00 fourth is pretty sick too. I reached sauron zerg status before the guy could even deny any creep spread, LOL If you can watch his games vs IMHappy (GSL) and MVPKeen (TSL4), you will see he loves to tech to fast hive as well. Fast ling speed is an important part of his play. Speedlings are so versatile that they fulfill every function that makes his play so strong. It's hard to explain as Life's fundamental strengths are abstract and even most pro players don't have said strengths to the extent he does. Okay, I'll be sure to watch those! Why do so few Zergs open fast speed? I feel like 6 queen is better against reactor hellion expand, but fast speed is amazing against cc first/1rax FE -> hellion/banshee I loved the fast speed, despite not using it. He wants to move out with hellions? Nope! He wants to do some marine pressure? Try again! You're gonna try and take your third? Not today! Map control is fun lol
Well, the prevailing philosophy in ZvX is that zerg wants to be in the defensive role. As long as they can anticipate what is coming, they can fend off attacks and use economy to win the game. Fast speed is a safety precaution in this philosophy. 6 queen was really good with this mindset but you cede all map control and any potential to punish terran greed in exchange for massive droning.
With Life's mindset, fast speed is the best thing ever. It lets him control the map, control information (really REALLY important concept neglected by most players), obtain information, create timings to punish a lack of production in a build, endlessly posture and put pressure on an opponent with the possibility of an attack, counter-attack, exploit positioning errors, and reinforce his army very quickly.
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United States33713 Posts
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On October 12 2012 10:18 Mavvie wrote:Show nested quote +On October 12 2012 10:05 Doubting wrote:
Life always inspires my gameplay. i have been using nyduses vs Protoss every since he has. I've never seen his ZvP :C Just wondering, what type of nydus? 1 base cheese? Or as a general midgame way to be aggressive?
the second one and lategame too sometimes
usually what he does is nydus near the guys base with all his infestors and make a billion infested terrans and then is able to get back safely no matter what.
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and what the fuck am I supposed to do now
>.>
JK  I guess I'll just have to figure something out
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I do not think taking a code s players build and using it for yourself actually makes you better especially if you cant make variations off of it because then you do not understand the concept behind the build.
Just shows how much code s players are better than master players and the skill gap
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On October 13 2012 09:57 StateofReverie wrote:
I do not think taking a code s players build and using it for yourself actually makes you better especially if you cant make variations off of it because then you do not understand the concept behind the build.
Just shows how much code s players are better than master players and the skill gap
douchebag mode: on
You're right though. Code S players are infinitely better than I could ever hope to be. But I didn't "copy his build order." I took what tastosis said about his games, and my general observations (quick speed, macro mode, mutalisks, as soon as he leaves his base, you walk in), and have been adding that into my play. I should actually watch a vod more closely for an exact build order, but I'm not blindly following one. I play a relatively standard macro opener, just using speedlings instead of queens to defend against early pressure. If I scout Terran playing greedy, I go kill him with speedling/bane (optionally roaches).
I scout, play reactive, but am just trying to play more aggressively without going all-in. I definitely understand the concept of the build, and am lacking in the execution and build order, which is kind of the opposite of what you said O.o
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On October 13 2012 10:07 Mavvie wrote:Show nested quote +On October 13 2012 09:57 StateofReverie wrote:
I do not think taking a code s players build and using it for yourself actually makes you better especially if you cant make variations off of it because then you do not understand the concept behind the build.
Just shows how much code s players are better than master players and the skill gap douchebag mode: on You're right though. Code S players are infinitely better than I could ever hope to be. But I didn't "copy his build order." I took what tastosis said about his games, and my general observations (quick speed, macro mode, mutalisks, as soon as he leaves his base, you walk in), and have been adding that into my play. I should actually watch a vod more closely for an exact build order, but I'm not blindly following one. I play a relatively standard macro opener, just using speedlings instead of queens to defend against early pressure. If I scout Terran playing greedy, I go kill him with speedling/bane (optionally roaches). I scout, play reactive, but am just trying to play more aggressively without going all-in. I definitely understand the concept of the build, and am lacking in the execution and build order, which is kind of the opposite of what you said O.o
oh my bad. Just in your entire blog, you didn't have a single timing.
And by timing, here is an example - 3/3 finishes by 16 minutes
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EPT
