• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 04:20
CEST 10:20
KST 17:20
  • 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
[ASL20] Ro24 Preview Pt1: Runway132v2 & SC: Evo Complete: Weekend Double Feature3Team Liquid Map Contest #21 - Presented by Monster Energy9uThermal's 2v2 Tour: $15,000 Main Event18Serral wins EWC 202549
Community News
Maestros of The Game—$20k event w/ live finals in Paris18Weekly Cups (Aug 11-17): MaxPax triples again!13Weekly Cups (Aug 4-10): MaxPax wins a triple6SC2's Safe House 2 - October 18 & 195Weekly Cups (Jul 28-Aug 3): herO doubles up6
StarCraft 2
General
What mix of new and old maps do you want in the next 1v1 ladder pool? (SC2) : Geoff 'iNcontroL' Robinson has passed away The GOAT ranking of GOAT rankings RSL Revival patreon money discussion thread Weekly Cups (Aug 11-17): MaxPax triples again!
Tourneys
Maestros of The Game—$20k event w/ live finals in Paris Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Monday Nights Weeklies Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2) $5,100+ SEL Season 2 Championship (SC: Evo)
Strategy
Custom Maps
External Content
Mutation # 487 Think Fast Mutation # 486 Watch the Skies Mutation # 485 Death from Below Mutation # 484 Magnetic Pull
Brood War
General
Maps with Neutral Command Centers BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Flash Announces (and Retracts) Hiatus From ASL BW General Discussion BW AKA finder tool
Tourneys
[ASL20] Ro24 Group C [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL20] Ro24 Group A [ASL20] Ro24 Group B
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Fighting Spirit mining rates [G] Mineral Boosting Muta micro map competition
Other Games
General Games
General RTS Discussion Thread Dawn of War IV Path of Exile Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread
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
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine The year 2050 European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
INnoVation Fan Club SKT1 Classic Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
High temperatures on bridge(s) Gtx660 graphics card replacement Installation of Windows 10 suck at "just a moment"
TL Community
"World Leading Blockchain Asset Retrieval" The Automated Ban List TeamLiquid Team Shirt On Sale
Blogs
Evil Gacha Games and the…
ffswowsucks
Breaking the Meta: Non-Stand…
TrAiDoS
INDEPENDIENTE LA CTM
XenOsky
[Girl blog} My fema…
artosisisthebest
Sharpening the Filtration…
frozenclaw
ASL S20 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 3028 users

ZvT Guide

Blogs > In)Spire
Post a Reply
In)Spire
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States1323 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-05-31 21:04:48
July 27 2007 06:34 GMT
#1
Will update slowly and slowly!

Basically before I begin writing the guide, I want to let everyone know something about this match-up. This is IMO the most micro/macro intensive match-up there is in SC if both are decent players. Macro and Micro should be up to par unless it gets to a point where zerg has ultras, and even then you still have to take good care of your units, especially if you are out upgraded. Which leads me to another point. Upgrades are VERY important. Being down in upgrades, especially late game can cost you everything you've worked so hard for [the game]. Also, this is only a broad guide. I cannot be specific on when they will drop, expand, attack, etc... so you must be able to adapt as needed.


The Start
Every game begins with the creation of another worker and the split. ZvT is no different [don't forget to scout with your overlord; where you send it depends on your preference and map positionings on the map]. Continue to make drones until 9/9, and this is where the builds will differentiate.

Normal 9 Pool
This is a good variation build for those who want to mix a little something in their game. This build allows you to put pressure on your opponent at the very start and for those terrans who like to scout you all over the place, this build allows you to try and kill that scv earlier. When going 9 pool, you should save up at 9/9 till you get 200 mins, which should turn into a spawning pool. From here, you should build another drone and an overlord soon after, or for those who think their supply will be a bit late by the time the overlord comes out, build an overlord after the pool and follow-up with a drone. As soon as your pool and overlord finishes, make all 3 larvae into zerglings. From here on, it depends on your style. Do you want to go for pressure low economy zerg or pressure into macro zerg?

Low Economy
For those who like to go low economy pressure zerg, after a 9 pool, you will probably continue to add zerglings after your 6 made from the completion of the spawning pool. But even still you should be making a hatchery as soon as you get 300 mins, and you should add gas if going for low econ, as slow zergling even in the beginning, are not too useful as they can be with speed and lair tech units. Even though you are going low economy, don't forget to add drones when you can. Low econ can be deadly is used correctly, but it can also be a self destructing move if you forget to give yourself enough to live on. From here on you can decide on whether you want to go for a muta/ling combo or a lurker/ling combo. Highly suggest you do 2 hatch first, then add a third hatch later.

A. Muta/ling
Constantly keep pressure on your terran opponent, pick off everything you can and try to keep your tech and your economic position secret. Zerg's versatility is what makes them so deadly, and keeping them a secret from your opponent makes it that much better. From here on add drones and lings as needed. Don't forget your second gas and don't forget drones. Keep watch of what he does, and don't try to be a hero and kill his first army that is coming out unless you know for sure that you can take it [firebats are deadlier than you think, dont underestimate 1 or 2 in the army]. Make a couple overlords and save up larvae. Hopefully by this time you will have 1-3 control group of lings and have enough money/gas/supply to make 6 mutas as soon as the spire finishes. From here, expand again and continue to add more mutas. I suggest that you keep adding more to keep them in their base and keep harassing them, but this next part is for those going all-in.
If you are going all in with this, it is better for you to add a third and maybe even a fourth hatch in your base, and continue to make mutas and lings continuously. Don't let your macro slip. But when harassing, more important than picking off worker, is to pick off marines/medics/firebats. Why? Considering terran went for a fast expo, you want to break their front and roll them over with streams of mutas and lings; picking off scvs rather than marines won't be as much of a benefit for you if your trying to steamroll him units. Hope your muta micro is good.
For those who want a fallback, just in case they can't end it with muta/ling, like I said before, expand and continue to add mutas. But instead of continuing to add mutas te entire time, you need to stop and add a hydra den and an evolution chamber. Upgrade lurker and carapace. You need to keep them in their base and get lurkers as fast as you can. Depending on what you saw in their base [ex. did they get drop ship or vessel first?] you should put lurkers at your expo [if you saw a dropship], or in front of their base [if you saw a vessel]. Try to take up as much time as you can and macro up while getting a hive [you should be running off three gas]. Don't forget scourges for those pesky vessels and dropship, and pick them off if you can. This is will put you in a substantial lead, especially if you can get a vessel. Get a defiler mound and upgrade consume as soon as it is done. Don't lose your first units unless you can take it down with little casualties. You need your army for your swarm. A nydus canal to your expo at this point would be nice, especially if the terran decided to go for your expo at this point. Hope your swarm is good. You will need good swarming and consuming to push the terran back. From here on you should continue to take expos and defend them with lurkers/ling/swarm/scourges. But don't let terran take expos on will, you need good scouting to see where his army is, where they are moving, where he is expoing, etc...
Try to swarm into his natural (when you get swarm, this is the point where you should be on the attack), from there you should be able to swarm into his main and eventually take the game. Don't forget to upgrade not only attack/carapace, but also faster attacking for zerglings, faster movement/armor for ultras [if you get to this point], and plague and extra energy for defilers. By the time you get to ultra/swarm/plague/ling/scourge, you will hopefully have an easy time dealing with the terran army, and should be able to take the game. This is only a broad guide.

B. Lurker/Ling
This is where you decide that you want to play it a little safer and get your economy back up. By the time your lair reaches about the midpoint, you should add a hydra den and an evolution chamber (optional). Upgrade the lurker aspect as soon as both the lair and hydra den finish and make some hydras. Here you can decide to get them to your expo or your opponent's natural. I'm going to write the guide as if you sent them to your opponent's natural. Morph the hydras into lurkers as soon as the upgrade finishes and burrow them in front of his natural as soon as they complete. From here on out, just continue to make more lurkers/lings, and add a spire for the scourges to kill dropships and vessels. Stall the terran attack for as long as you can while getting Hive and a defilers mound. Hopefully you haven't forgot to upgrade because at this point, it will matter. I cannot be too specific after this, but all I can say is to watch for drops, don't let him mass vessels, get all the defiler upgrades, be aggressive with swarm, expand, upgrade, and hopefully you'll be able to play your way into a victory.

9 Pool Speedlings
This is a variation to the 9 Pool. Basically what you would do here is make a pool at 9/9, add a drone, make a gas, send three drones to mine gas, wait till you get 88 gas, then send the drones mining gas back to the minerals one by one. You then make 6 zerglings and upgrade speed at the same time. This puts alot of pressure on terrans and forces them to take out scvs. You then have options from here. Are you going all-in, are you going to continue making zerglings and play low-economy, or are you going to change into more economy? Either way, all these choices involve getting an expo. So make a natural expo regardless of what you're doing so that you have a fallback.



***
useLess
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
United States4781 Posts
July 27 2007 07:54 GMT
#2
I just skimmed through it, and it seems like you just assume your opponent is gonna sit around and let you do your thing. You mention /28 and /35 and 5-7 control groups of units? Vs a decent player you wont have time for that kind of stuff.
Moonlight Shadow
crazie-penguin
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
United States1253 Posts
July 27 2007 08:05 GMT
#3
MAYBE IF YOU WOULD ELABORATE ON THE FUCKING HYDRA/LURK SECTION, ITS ALMOST USELESS. WHY MAKE A SECTION IF ITS USELESS!?!? HUH!?!??!











lol jk.

Maybe add stuff on what you do to react to a terran's build order (with your overlord or ling sneak of course) and signs that tell you what the terran is doing if you can't scout. I know you kinda talked about 8rax, but what would you do if they fast-teched or 14cc(lol).
And i think an overlord at 16 is better, you get an earlier drone and when the overlord finishes, it should be just in time for the other drones to hatch. Also, I'd like to know when you would expo to a mineral only or is it the norm to expand to only gases? Oh and one more thing, wouldn't a terran usually be on your doorstep with a tank if you go 3hatch lurks? Sorry if this is all noob stuff, but i really want to get back into SC. xD
kdog3683
Profile Blog Joined January 2007
United States916 Posts
July 27 2007 09:36 GMT
#4
What happens if they 8rax?
Multiply your efforts.
Wizard
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Poland5055 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-10-01 22:30:43
July 27 2007 10:00 GMT
#5
sAviOr[gm] ~ want to watch good replays? read my blog: http://www.teamliquid.net/blog/wizard
Garnet
Profile Blog Joined February 2006
Vietnam9022 Posts
July 27 2007 10:17 GMT
#6
I'm switching from T to Z so this is very useful, thx very much !
In)Spire
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States1323 Posts
July 27 2007 11:55 GMT
#7
Thx for comments, ill add more tomorrow cuz im kinda tired today, thx for feedback.
KwarK
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States42817 Posts
July 27 2007 12:23 GMT
#8
On July 27 2007 18:36 kdog3683 wrote:
What happens if they 8rax?


According to our strategy forum the best counter to 8 rax is going 9 pool speedlings. The strategy forum is amazing at times
ModeratorThe angels have the phone box
dementus
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
Singapore1151 Posts
July 27 2007 16:35 GMT
#9
thanks for the guide, i'm a t, but i enjoy playing zvt at times for fun. i'll definitely use this and itw's guide.
"I couldn't stop myself from having unreal macro and sick timing senses."
thedeadhaji *
Profile Blog Joined January 2006
39489 Posts
July 27 2007 17:13 GMT
#10
On July 27 2007 21:23 Kwark wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 27 2007 18:36 kdog3683 wrote:
What happens if they 8rax?


According to our strategy forum the best counter to 8 rax is going 9 pool speedlings. The strategy forum is amazing at times


the strat forum is always amazing!
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 1h 40m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
trigger 59
StarCraft: Brood War
Barracks 4857
Sea 3256
TY 333
ggaemo 145
NaDa 33
zelot 29
Bale 7
Dota 2
XcaliburYe439
XaKoH 306
League of Legends
JimRising 613
Dendi282
Other Games
summit1g3368
singsing1518
ceh9493
C9.Mang0322
Happy277
Mew2King30
Trikslyr27
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick555
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 12 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• lizZardDota242
League of Legends
• Jankos867
Upcoming Events
CranKy Ducklings
1h 40m
SC Evo League
3h 40m
WardiTV Summer Champion…
4h 40m
Classic vs Percival
Spirit vs NightMare
CSO Cup
7h 40m
[BSL 2025] Weekly
9h 40m
Sparkling Tuna Cup
1d 1h
SC Evo League
1d 3h
Replay Cast
1d 15h
Afreeca Starleague
2 days
Queen vs HyuN
EffOrt vs Calm
Wardi Open
2 days
[ Show More ]
RotterdaM Event
2 days
Replay Cast
2 days
Afreeca Starleague
3 days
Rush vs TBD
Jaedong vs Mong
Afreeca Starleague
4 days
herO vs TBD
Royal vs Barracks
Replay Cast
4 days
The PondCast
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
LiuLi Cup
6 days
Cosmonarchy
6 days
OyAji vs Sziky
Sziky vs WolFix
WolFix vs OyAji
BSL Team Wars
6 days
Team Hawk vs Team Dewalt
BSL Team Wars
6 days
Team Hawk vs Team Bonyth
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Jiahua Invitational
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
HCC Europe

Ongoing

Copa Latinoamericana 4
BSL 20 Team Wars
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 3
BSL 21 Qualifiers
ASL Season 20
CSL Season 18: Qualifier 1
Acropolis #4 - TS1
CSLAN 3
SEL Season 2 Championship
WardiTV Summer 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025

Upcoming

CSL Season 18: Qualifier 2
CSL 2025 AUTUMN (S18)
LASL Season 20
BSL Season 21
BSL 21 Team A
Chzzk MurlocKing SC1 vs SC2 Cup #2
RSL Revival: Season 2
Maestros of the Game
EC S1
Sisters' Call Cup
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
MESA Nomadic Masters Fall
CS Asia Championships 2025
Roobet Cup 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
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.