EPTSo today finally shall be the unveiling of the first proxy tempest rush by myself, Phalanx. Special thanks to Salivanth for helping me out with figuring out the build. An overview for those who didn't see my daily post on why I thought it could be a very strong potential build can be found in Daily #14. The terrible day that I'd been having today was totally brightened by seeing this build work, perfectly, as I envisioned it. The game I'm using today is a diamond level game by the way, so it's not that my enemy just sucked hard.
This build feels to me as if it is the long awaited "counter" to the terran's 1rax fast expand build. If they go for a fast expo, they will struggle greatly with having any sort of counter to the tempest in the early game. They also will most likely lack the forces to be able to successfully full-out counter attack you. Perhaps you could think of this as a sort of blind counter to the 1rax FE... or you could not.
The following game analysis may not be suitable for some readers due to absolute one-sidedness of the game. It's about as good as watching a man beat another man who's tied to a chair.
Side note; my enemy was a player from clan OD (OverDose), who I believe is in the same clan as Salivanth. You cannibal!!! But then again he didn't know Salivanth, so I guess maybe he may know him now.
replay : http://drop.sc/337482
The Game
+ Show Spoiler +
Being a "cheesey" rush strategy, the build order for the proxy tempest rush needs to be pretty precise. 9 pylon, 13gate, 14 assim, 15 assim, then 17 cybernetics core -> pylon (proxy). The cybernetics core is created first in order to make the stargate be available for production earlier.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/DnecNHZ.png)
crispy!
Due to the way real PvT games go, the fastest possible tempest can not become a reality because at least 1 stalker must be made to deny basic scouting as well as shut down reaper openings. This doesn't slow down the tempests much at all, and is definitely worth the tiny delay rather than losing probes.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/JaKWG3K.png)
Gtfo reaper I'm trying to cook with cheese.
As soon as gas is available, make you stargate, followed by fleet beacon. DO NOT MAKE STALKERS, SENTRIES, OR MSC! You can afford to make an extra zealot or two while the fleet beacon is finishing up, but if so you have to be careful about your supply cap. There is enough gas to spare for warpgate research at this point, but don't rush it if your macro slipped up a bit.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/C2ndrit.png)
Once the fleet beacon's up, just chrono boost the crap out of that tempest. Wait to move out until you get 2, however, so that you can 1-shot his forces instead of 2-shot. Also, the element of surprise helps.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ory6W0w.png)
Yeye fucking ye, tempest incoming.
The map that the proxy tempest rush is executed on also can play a bit role; a map like Derelict Watchtower, where a hidden yet easily accessible by air location exists, is perfect for the build.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/CYJ4iAe.png)
Balls to the face, balls to the face!
Continue to build tempests until you reach 5, since more than that is overkill. Meanwhile, you should have started building gateways as the second tempest was in production. Use warp-ins to warp in zealots, keeping them near the enemy ramp just to watch out for counter attacks. Now you just have to micro your tempests to your heart's content while occasionally warping in.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/qnCajPj.jpg)
"what the shit!" is a very accurate representation of the situation.
The micro of the tempests is very easy and intuitive. Right click marines, move away while recharge animation runs, right click marines, move away. Never just let them a-move, that'll waste the whole point of the proxy tempest rush.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/SwR613s.png)
Mohr balls to the face.
Utilize cliffs to keep the marines away from your tempests. Your superior range will allow you to always be able to pick off marines, and over the course of a few minutes this will add up to quite a deal of damage. Never let the "low DPS" of tempests fool you.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/OZT7Wf5.png)
More kills.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/IFJpamI.png)
Still more kills.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3lAid1R.png)
Even moer kills.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/XBrngeS.png)
Too many kills.
If you've been able to keep your macro building up zealots, at this point you'll be able to roll over him base. Use tempests to break down the bunkers (or target more SCVs repairing the bunkers) so that your gateway units will have a clear path to steam roll your opponent. Look at this units lost tab right before my gateway units go in for the kill. Just look at it. LOOK AT IT!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/l5qYmj3.png)
I think I came a bit.
Even vikings will fall like flies by the time you get up your 5 or so tempests, and if the terran doesn't know how to react perfectly (How would you even react "perfectly" other than spot the proxy?) then it's just about as good as a guarenteed win.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/VnncqVD.png)
I always believed in you tempests!
There ya go folks; a working, totally legit PvT proxy tempest rush all in. Jesus did this game feel great. You truely feel unstoppable when the terran can't even fight back at your tempests, The micro is very manageable even if you're not the best player, and this is really the first time I've ever thought of tempests as a great combat unit. Do give this build a try, and share it with your friends! GL, HF, and thanks as usual for reading! Don't forget to close the door on the way out.
P.S.
DarkOnyx endorses the usage of tempests.
www.facebook.com/DarkOnyxFTW
P.S.S
I <3 this Corgi butt.
