• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 23:43
CET 04:43
KST 12:43
  • 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
ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT29Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book19Clem wins HomeStory Cup 289HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview13Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info8
Community News
BGE Stara Zagora 2026 cancelled3Blizzard Classic Cup - Tastosis announced as captains12Weekly Cups (March 2-8): ByuN overcomes PvT block4GSL CK - New online series18BSL Season 224
StarCraft 2
General
BGE Stara Zagora 2026 cancelled BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced Blizzard Classic Cup - Tastosis announced as captains Team Liquid Map Contest - Preparation Notice SC2 Spotted on the EWC 2026 list?
Tourneys
[GSL CK] Team Maru vs. Team herO WardiTV Team League Season 10 Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2) RSL Season 4 announced for March-April Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament
Strategy
Custom Maps
Publishing has been re-enabled! [Feb 24th 2026] Map Editor closed ?
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 516 Specter of Death Mutation # 515 Together Forever Mutation # 514 Ulnar New Year
Brood War
General
ASL21 General Discussion BW General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Gypsy to Korea Are you ready for ASL 21? Hype VIDEO
Tourneys
[BSL22] Open Qualifiers & Ladder Tours [Megathread] Daily Proleagues IPSL Spring 2026 is here! ASL Season 21 Qualifiers March 7-8
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2 Fighting Spirit mining rates Zealot bombing is no longer popular?
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread PC Games Sales Thread Path of Exile No Man's Sky (PS4 and PC) Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Five o'clock TL Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread NASA and the Private Sector Mexico's Drug War Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [Manga] One Piece
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2026 Football Thread General nutrition recommendations Cricket [SPORT] TL MMA Pick'em Pool 2013
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Laptop capable of using Photoshop Lightroom?
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
FS++
Kraekkling
Shocked by a laser…
Spydermine0240
Gaming-Related Deaths
TrAiDoS
Unintentional protectionism…
Uldridge
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2498 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 States9795 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 States9795 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
Replay Cast
00:00
StarCraft Evolution League #18
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RuFF_SC2 247
ViBE151
StarCraft: Brood War
GuemChi 3563
Leta 66
NaDa 31
GoRush 19
sSak 4
Icarus 4
Dota 2
NeuroSwarm101
Counter-Strike
taco 717
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor84
Other Games
summit1g12075
JimRising 469
C9.Mang0387
Hui .23
Moletrap6
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1673
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• EnkiAlexander 104
• practicex 11
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• RayReign 24
• Azhi_Dahaki7
• sM.Zik 4
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Lourlo907
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
20h 17m
CranKy Ducklings
1d 6h
RSL Revival
1d 6h
WardiTV Team League
1d 8h
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
1d 13h
Patches Events
1d 13h
BSL
1d 16h
Sparkling Tuna Cup
2 days
RSL Revival
2 days
WardiTV Team League
2 days
[ Show More ]
BSL
2 days
Replay Cast
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Wardi Open
3 days
Monday Night Weeklies
3 days
WardiTV Team League
4 days
GSL
5 days
The PondCast
6 days
WardiTV Team League
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-03-12
WardiTV Winter 2026
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Jeongseon Sooper Cup
BSL Season 22
RSL Revival: Season 4
Nations Cup 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual

Upcoming

CSL Elite League 2026
ASL Season 21
Acropolis #4 - TS6
2026 Changsha Offline CUP
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
CSLAN 4
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
NationLESS Cup
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 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.