• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 16:14
CEST 22:14
KST 05:14
  • 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
[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Rough Waters9[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Siren's Call8[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Summer's End9Serral wins HomeStory Cup 2915Serral wins Maestros of the Game 244
Community News
Weekly Cups (Aug 30-Sep 7): herO thrives amid growing schism6Official StarCraft website teases new content ahead of BlizzCon?119Stellar Fest TWO the Moon (Dec 16-20)9Weekly Cups (August 24-30): Patches' balance mod takes over3New 3v3 BGH Ladder (and more) on ShieldBattery!46
StarCraft 2
General
Weekly Cups (Aug 30-Sep 7): herO thrives amid growing schism SC4ALL: II Winner Will Earn a Spot at HSC 30! SC4ALL II: StarCraft 2 Player Announcement 7/8 Nexon wins bid to develop StarCraft IP content, distribute Overwatch mobile game Balance hotfix patch 5.0.16b (July 16)
Tourneys
Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) 2026 GSTL Announcement Stellar Fest TWO the Moon (Dec 16-20) IntoTheTV X SOOP SC2 League : Weekly & Monthly
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
Nexus Wars 2021 GUIDE [M] (2) Industrial Park
External Content
Mutation # 542 The Ascended Mutation # 541 Binary Choice The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 540 Dodge This
Brood War
General
Official StarCraft website teases new content ahead of BlizzCon? [ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Rough Waters ASL22 General Discussion Pros React To: Calm's Big Brain Play Vs Mini New 3v3 BGH Ladder (and more) on ShieldBattery!
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL22] Ro16 Group A BWCL Season 65 Announcement [ASL22] Ro16 Group B
Strategy
Replay Review Process - What do you do? Simple Questions, Simple Answers Odyssey Mineral Stack Saturation Game Theory for Starcraft
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread EVE Corporation Diablo IV [Maplestory Hardcore] Let's Play~!! General RTS Discussion Thread
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish TSM pausing esports and CLG Dead
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Power Rank TL Mafia Community Thread NeO.D_StephenKing vs This Guy From 1 Million Dance
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Trading/Investing Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
MarineLorD Fan Club The Creator Fan Club The ShoWTimE Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
Football (Soccer) Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Northern Ireland Global Starcraft
Blogs
F* the Children and Get Off …
TrAiDoS
Dreaming of BW patches (mod…
c3rberUs
Regacy Esports: The Bh…
regacyesports
LOCKPICKING NOOB
LUCKY_NOOB
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 6312 users

How I got to D+ (yay!)

Blogs > seppolevne
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
seppolevne
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Canada1681 Posts
December 10 2009 03:08 GMT
#1
Finally got to D+! All it took was a race change, a new favourite unit and one build to rule them all.

Race Change: After struggling for a couple seasons as a D level Protoss, I managed to one-gate tech and one-base speedlot my way to 4-9 and 15-24 in subsequent seasons. I got sick of Protoss and started 2v2ing as Terran. As fun as that was, 1v1 as Terran sucks. To anyone who plays Terran, I commend you, that shit is hard. No way is my 70 apm self gonna keep up with all the stuff I was supposed to do. So sick of Protoss and way too bad for Terran, I tried my hand at my current love, Zerg.

Favourite Unit: I have always enjoyed Zerg for one reason and one reason only: cracklings. Partly cause they don't even take up a whole supply. Partly cause they're free. But most of all because they put out like 400 dps.

New build: Not satisfied with today's macro builds, I decided to design my own. I was gonna get cracklings as fast as I could. Of course, there would have to be stops along the way, as not building units for ~7 minutes isn't the best way to win.
So my checklist went a little something like this:
1) Buy time to tech to cracklings
2) Tech to cracklings as fast as possible

The first step was easy, set up a contain that will hold till around 7 minutes. At D level, this isn't too hard. I decided on 2-hatch lurker. Something like this:
9 pool
9 gas
100 gas -> lair
4 lings
300 mins -> hatch at nat
60% lair -> hydra den
200/200 -> lurker tech
85% tech -> 4 hydras -> lurker
I use the lings to kill the scouting scv/probe, and then leave them outside the opponent's nat to watch for pressure/scouts. Then they can be used to distract marines while my lurkers run in, or just hang around as I plop down for a contain.
The build continues to cracklings:
Drone up for a bit -> Queen's nest
2/3 Hatches
Hive -> ling speed
100% Hive -> Crack!
Pump zerglings -> 2 Evo -> Ultra Den
Ups & hatches as money builds up
Attack!
If Terran survives I can get my 2nd gas and include Ultras, or defilers if I'm feeling snazzy. Protoss doesn't usually survive.
All in all I don't think the 2 hatch lurker -> 5 hatch crackling will get me much further then D+, but it's gotten me further then I've gone before, and that's something.

To those struggling at D/D-, have fun with your builds. Try something new. Add a little personal touch. You don't need progamer mechanics or perfect timing attacks, you just need to have fun.

See you at C-!

*****
J- Pirate Udyr WW T- Pirate Riven Galio M- Galio Annie S- Sona Lux -- Always farm, never carry.
seRapH
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States9815 Posts
December 10 2009 03:13 GMT
#2
congrats!
boomer hands
aleun
Profile Joined November 2009
United States27 Posts
December 10 2009 03:14 GMT
#3
Careful though, at D+ players gain the ability to build firebats.

Kidding congrats on D+. I feel you; sticking to one race is tough. I think playing SC with all three races triples the amount of fun you have, even though it might not be conducive to climbing the ranks.
Foreplay
Profile Joined May 2008
United States1154 Posts
December 10 2009 03:20 GMT
#4
On December 10 2009 12:14 aleun wrote:
Careful though, at D+ players gain the ability to build firebats.

Kidding congrats on D+. I feel you; sticking to one race is tough. I think playing SC with all three races triples the amount of fun you have, even though it might not be conducive to climbing the ranks.

for some reason i've always found every race but zerg to be painfully boring to play. Probably just me though
Better than Pokebunny
seRapH
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States9815 Posts
December 10 2009 03:28 GMT
#5
On December 10 2009 12:20 Foreplay wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 10 2009 12:14 aleun wrote:
Careful though, at D+ players gain the ability to build firebats.

Kidding congrats on D+. I feel you; sticking to one race is tough. I think playing SC with all three races triples the amount of fun you have, even though it might not be conducive to climbing the ranks.

for some reason i've always found every race but zerg to be painfully boring to play. Probably just me though


i actually like the lulls of action in PvT i often get. it gives me time to regain my mindset after practically losing my entire army to a push.
boomer hands
Fixed
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United States174 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-12-10 03:44:44
December 10 2009 03:43 GMT
#6
The sticking to 1 race thing is tough. I have played 315 games so far this season and i started very late. I have 125 with Zerg and 80 something with protoss and terran each. I just cant decide lol. My goal for next season is to play ALL my games with 1 race to give it enough time to see how i really do with them.

also add me on iccup and we can game

iscout4u
fanatacist likes men.....but mostly boys...and some anal toys. Also his ability to read and understand posts is on par with a slightly retarded meerkat.
koreasilver
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
9109 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-12-10 04:01:03
December 10 2009 04:00 GMT
#7
9pool -> 1hatch lair -> lurkers -> 1gas hive?

Okay.
Glaucus
Profile Joined June 2009
479 Posts
December 10 2009 04:02 GMT
#8
Builds like this is why people stay stuck at D-.
seppolevne
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Canada1681 Posts
December 10 2009 04:06 GMT
#9
On December 10 2009 13:00 koreasilver wrote:
9pool -> 1hatch lair -> lurkers -> 1gas hive?

Okay.

lol zerglings don't cost gas duh.
J- Pirate Udyr WW T- Pirate Riven Galio M- Galio Annie S- Sona Lux -- Always farm, never carry.
seppolevne
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Canada1681 Posts
December 10 2009 04:08 GMT
#10
On December 10 2009 13:02 Glaucus wrote:
Builds like this is why people stay stuck at D-.

L2read:
On December 10 2009 12:08 seppolevne wrote:
Finally got to D+!

J- Pirate Udyr WW T- Pirate Riven Galio M- Galio Annie S- Sona Lux -- Always farm, never carry.
koreasilver
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
9109 Posts
December 10 2009 04:10 GMT
#11
You're not even getting ling speed until after you start your hive. How the hell are you going to survive any kind of timing attacks? If you were rushing to defilers then it could make sense but you're rushing hive only for adrenal glands and prioritizing adrenal glands over any kind of hive units. How are you supposed to survive?
Zergneedsfood
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
United States10671 Posts
December 10 2009 04:10 GMT
#12
Hahah. Nice job getting to D+! I remember when I first got there...and I'm still stuck there at the moment.
/人◕ ‿‿ ◕人\ Make a contract with me and join TLADT | Onodera isn't actually a girl, she's just a doormat you walk over to get to the girl. - Numy 2015
Hacksaw11
Profile Joined July 2008
Australia359 Posts
December 10 2009 04:12 GMT
#13
No swarms? u are going to need it if they are pushing you hard.
- -
Heyoka
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Katowice25012 Posts
December 10 2009 04:16 GMT
#14
I lose to 2hatch lurker almost every time I play against it at D/D+

Good luck on C-! You have the right attitude.
@RealHeyoka | ESL / DreamHack StarCraft Lead
hellokitty[hk]
Profile Joined June 2009
United States1309 Posts
December 10 2009 04:17 GMT
#15
Fast dropship gg lurker contain?
People are imbeciles, lucky thing god made cats.
seppolevne
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Canada1681 Posts
December 10 2009 04:20 GMT
#16
On December 10 2009 13:10 koreasilver wrote:
You're not even getting ling speed until after you start your hive. How the hell are you going to survive any kind of timing attacks? If you were rushing to defilers then it could make sense but you're rushing hive only for adrenal glands and prioritizing adrenal glands over any kind of hive units. How are you supposed to survive?

Well that's when I usually get speed, not so much cause I'm waiting until then, but cause I usually forget. If they attack (keyword: IF) I can sunken up and make lings/more lurkers, it's not a very economically taxing build.
J- Pirate Udyr WW T- Pirate Riven Galio M- Galio Annie S- Sona Lux -- Always farm, never carry.
writer22816
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
United States5775 Posts
December 10 2009 04:35 GMT
#17
Congratulations on getting to D+ but I think you're gonna have to play a more viable build if you want to get to C-
8/4/12 never forget, never forgive.
Fixed
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United States174 Posts
December 10 2009 04:35 GMT
#18
I could understnad if u went 3 hatch mutas first...and had good harrassing...and turtled up a bit....kinda like ret did on his stream last night against a toss. But this build just seem like anyone with a clue would roll u hard. But at the D level...most people are clueless...which is why it prolly works.

Weird builds are cool though...so whatever is fun is fine.
fanatacist likes men.....but mostly boys...and some anal toys. Also his ability to read and understand posts is on par with a slightly retarded meerkat.
Equaoh
Profile Joined October 2008
Canada427 Posts
December 10 2009 04:43 GMT
#19
Owned my Protoss lol
Straylight
Profile Joined March 2008
Canada706 Posts
December 10 2009 04:55 GMT
#20
On December 10 2009 12:08 seppolevne wrote:
Finally got to D+! All it took was a race change


Ok race change to Zerg is step in the right direction but you should try Korean next.
It felt like gravity.
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 3h 47m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 457
UpATreeSC 88
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 936
Mong 28
soO 12
Dota 2
monkeys_forever32
League of Legends
Doublelift2470
Counter-Strike
shoxiejesuss1065
ScreaM830
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu347
Other Games
FrodaN2512
Grubby2225
fl0m941
Beastyqt669
C9.Mang0222
XaKoH 131
elazer110
IndyStarCraft 100
Trikslyr61
ZombieGrub41
Organizations
StarCraft 2
WardiTV1011
Other Games
Algost 7
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• intothetv
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• blackmanpl 42
• HerbMon 22
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota21539
• WagamamaTV552
League of Legends
• TFBlade1067
Other Games
• imaqtpie1378
• Shiphtur122
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
3h 47m
The PondCast
13h 47m
KCM Race Survival
13h 47m
OSC
1d 2h
Escore
1d 13h
IntoTheTV X SOOP
1d 14h
CranKy Ducklings
2 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
Shopify Rebellion Sundays
3 days
Spirit vs Mixu
Clem vs TBD
RSL Revival
3 days
Serral vs Rogue
[ Show More ]
BlizzCon
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
Afreeca Starleague
4 days
WardiTV Weekly
4 days
Afreeca Starleague
5 days
GSL
5 days
PiGosaur Cup
6 days
The PondCast
6 days
Kung Fu Cup
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-09-08
PiG Sty Festival 8.0
Big Dog Cup 2026 Div 1

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 3
K-JUNGMAN
ASL Season 22
Super Anchor Qualifying S3
CSL 2026 AUTUMN (S22)
Acropolis #5
Acropolis #5 - TRS
RSL Revival: Season 6
Calamity Invitational
FISSURE Playground #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S3: King of Kings
Acropolis #5 - GSA
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Acropolis #5 - GSB
Acropolis #5 - GSC
SC4ALL II: Brood War
HSC XXX
Stellar Fest 2: Lunar Cup
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 6
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
IEM Beijing 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 5
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
1win Private Club #2
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #1
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
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 © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.