• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 02:11
CEST 08:11
KST 15:11
  • 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
Serral wins HomeStory Cup 2914Serral wins Maestros of the Game 243ByuL, and the Limitations of Standard Play3Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners7Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12
Community News
ZeroSpace Early Access is Now Live!3Weekly Cups (July 13-19): Terran & Protoss rise; Zerg falters1Balance hotfix patch 5.0.16b (July 16)67Reynor: GSL Loss Wasn't About Preparation Format16[IPSL] Spring 2026 Grand Finals - This Weekend!18
StarCraft 2
General
Balance hotfix patch 5.0.16b (July 16) Weekly Cups (July 13-19): Terran & Protoss rise; Zerg falters How would you feel about frequent/monthly balance patches for SC2? Clem: "I don't have that much hope in Blizzard" [D] Wireframe Casting Removed
Tourneys
RSL Revival: Season 6 - Qualifiers and Main Event Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2) WardiTV Summer Cup 2026 GSL CK #5 Race War HomeStory Cup 29
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
New Map Maker - Looking for Advice - Love or Hate Work In Progress Melee Maps [D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3
External Content
Mutation # 535 Assembly of Vengeance The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 534 Burning Evacuation Mutation # 533 Die Together
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BW General Discussion HORROR STARCRAFT MOVIE How Famous was FlaSh before his Debut? Recent recommended BW games
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [IPSL] Spring 2026 Grand Finals - This Weekend! Escore Tournament - Season 3 Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers PvT advise for noobs Fighting Spirit mining rates Creating a full chart of Zerg builds
Other Games
General Games
ZeroSpace Early Access is Now Live! ZeroSpace at Steam NextFest - Last free demo Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread
Dota 2
Looking for a Dota Mentor Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Power Rank NeO.D_StephenKing vs This Guy From 1 Million Dance TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
Russo-Ukrainian War Thread US Politics Mega-thread How to buy a book - shipping from Korea to Europe The Games Industry And ATVI UK Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club The HerO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books Series you have seen recently...
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023 McBoner: A hockey love story Tennis[sport]
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Simple Questions Simple Answers FPS when play League Of Legend on laptop
TL Community
Northern Ireland Global Starcraft The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Hello guys!
LIN1s
Role of Gaming on Mental Hea…
TrAiDoS
ASL S22 English Commentary…
namkraft
Poker (part 2)
Nebuchad
An Exploration of th…
waywardstrategy
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 3934 users

! [Q] Protoss hotkeys - Page 6

Forum Index > Brood War Strategy
Post a Reply
Prev 1 4 5 6 7 Next All
kaleidoscope
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Singapore2887 Posts
May 12 2009 14:14 GMT
#101
0p9p
4d5d6d7d8d
4z5z6z7z8z
using F2 for macro (mass gate area)
1a2a3a (middle, ring, middle, ring, index, ring respectively)

Protoss units in a group are all mixed.. You dont have to specifically group one group for Zealots or goons, since most probably you will just gonna 1a2a3a, then the rest of the micro use your mouse..
대지따라 돌린게 시간이다.. 흘러가고 돌아오지도 않고..
Wala.Revolution
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
7584 Posts
May 12 2009 14:25 GMT
#102
On May 12 2009 23:14 kaleidoscope wrote:
0p9p
4d5d6d7d8d
4z5z6z7z8z
using F2 for macro (mass gate area)
1a2a3a (middle, ring, middle, ring, index, ring respectively)

Protoss units in a group are all mixed.. You dont have to specifically group one group for Zealots or goons, since most probably you will just gonna 1a2a3a, then the rest of the micro use your mouse..


Actually it's good to hotkey goons+1obs to clear mines and to defend vs pushes. I usually go 3/4 goons, 1/2 zeals (and shuttle and/or DT/HT), and 5 rest, 6 for carriers or arbitors.
Stuck.
Canopus
Profile Joined February 2008
Canada27 Posts
November 07 2009 03:12 GMT
#103
Im sure some nerd is going to rage for me asking this.

Someone stated that several pro players use 4 for their first nexus and F2 for their natural. This is an obvious fact from replay's, but i have yet to see anyone explain the fundamental strength in this approach. (Preferably a hardcore like Nony)

Major Advantage: The key is close to your unit keys, so you can constantly check your main without "jumping" to 0 or 9. Also, you can quickly react to harrasment because the key is close, and because F2 is your natural, probe evacuation is excellent.

Major Disadvantage: It would appear that your probe production process would be as follows with at least 2 nexus:

4 --> hand jump to p --> hand jump back to hit F2 --> click on natural --> hand jump all the way back to P or click on probe.

There is a big "what if" here because it would seem that no one on these forums actually knows how these pro players like Bisu & Stork actually execute their probe production. Do they ever click on probe? Do they jump back and forth as i explained? Do they assign they latest built probe to minerals with their mouse hand as their other hand jumps to p? Personally, I would like intrinsic support for the method in addition to the arguement: THE PROS USE IT, ITS THE BEST

vaderseven
Profile Joined September 2008
United States2556 Posts
November 07 2009 04:25 GMT
#104
what games/reps have a pro doing this?
Canopus
Profile Joined February 2008
Canada27 Posts
November 07 2009 05:53 GMT
#105
If your curious watch a replay of stork, Bisu or Violet (this site has several). Like a golf swing, or a jumpshot, there is generally an optimal technique for any game.

My guess is that Bisu's hotkey system ( 4 on 1st Nexus, ONLY F2 on 2nd nexus) is engineered for 2 basic purposes.

1. Allows for rapid cycling between his unit groups (1-3) and his main base (4)
2. Allows for rapid response to attacks on his mineral lines (He doesnt have to jump from 1,2 or 3 all the way across to 0,9 to respond, and in addition F keys allow for better probe transfers between nexi.

The major disadvantage would appear to be the probe production jumping.
4 --> hand jump to p --> hand jump back to hit F2 --> click on natural --> hand jump all the way back to P or click on probe.(Assuming no clicking of the probe icon)

I don't think anyone outside of players on SKT1 would really know exactly how he moves his hand to perform these actions, but if anyone can provide insight into this it would indeed be an addition to the thread. An explanation would have to be two fold; 1. Explanation of intrinsic value behind the key choice, and 2. A detailed explanation of how he moves his hands to achieve this value

baileys[fOrGe]
Profile Joined March 2009
United States19 Posts
November 07 2009 06:20 GMT
#106
Here's what I do when I off-race P. The hotkeys are modeled after Bisu/Stork, but I'm not sure what they set their F-keys at or how exactly they do the hand motion.

Early game hotkeys: 1-3 units, 4 main nex, 6+ gates, 0 robo (stargate in pvz). 5 I change all the time, gate, observer, units, whatever. 2nd Nex is an option.

To make probes just hit 4p, swing pinky over and hit either f3 or f4 (both are set as natural in early game), click nex and hit p. Very simple and very fast. You could do the same thing with your 2nd nex set as 5, the difference being that 5 is a very useful hotkey in the middle of the keyboard, which is why I think most progamers only hotkey 1 nexus. Use f2/f3 to swing back and forth to send probes to minerals quickly.

For F-keys, set them on your bases/nexuses. Like, reset F2 to get as much of your base as possible. Get the nexus and workers, and as many tech buildings and gateways as possible on the screen. Hotkey gates that are off the screen (like your expo gate in pvz, or extra gates in pvt). If you're rallying to your natural you can do the same thing.. try to get the nexus/workers/rally point on the same screen.. on most maps and in most situations you can. That frees up F4 for your third base.

If you're playing PvT or something and it turns into a macrofest with 15 gates, 2 stargates, with a rally point halfway across the map, just use f2/f3 for gates/rally. Or 66 back to a single gate and go from there.
baileys[fOrGe]
Profile Joined March 2009
United States19 Posts
November 07 2009 06:51 GMT
#107
You can use that same idea whatever hotkeys you use. Starting with your hand on the left, select your main nexus with 1, 4, 5, or whatever, hit P with index finger, pivot and hit f3 or f4 to change to a new nexus, click and type p again.
DanKlSauce
Profile Joined November 2009
United States19 Posts
November 07 2009 11:42 GMT
#108
For protoss progamers they do use f keys and put it over nexus so it would be like f2 p f3 p f4 p. Only a couple progamers don't do it. Pwrsonlly I think 0p9p8p just makes a person too lazy to move their hands around. Little bit.
hifriend
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
China7935 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-11-07 13:25:41
November 07 2009 13:24 GMT
#109
On November 07 2009 14:53 Canopus wrote:
My guess is that Bisu's hotkey system ( 4 on 1st Nexus, ONLY F2 on 2nd nexus) is engineered for 2 basic purposes.

Wouldn't it be pretty hard maynarding probes from natural to main with these hotkeys? He'd have to press f2, select probes, HOTKEY them, double-tap 4, send the probes.
DreaM)XeRO
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Korea (South)4667 Posts
November 07 2009 16:53 GMT
#110
0 - main nexus
9 - scout

going into the mid game

0 - main nexus
9 - nat nexus
8 - robotics
5,6,7 - main gateways
1-4 - army

late game

F2 - F4 - my nat - fourth base
0 - Forge/ Tech area
9 - Robo
8 - General Gateway (the gateway from which i can pump from all others)
1 - 7 - army
cw)minsean(ru
Canopus
Profile Joined February 2008
Canada27 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-11-07 17:02:45
November 07 2009 17:00 GMT
#111
Wouldn't it be pretty hard maynarding probes from natural to main with these hotkeys? He'd have to press f2, select probes, HOTKEY them, double-tap 4, send the probes


Its impossible to tell from replay's, but one would assume he puts F3 over his main, so he can evacuate probes from his natural to his main or vice versa very quickly.

To make probes just hit 4p, swing pinky over and hit either f3 or f4 (both are set as natural in early game), click nex and hit p. Very simple and very fast. You could do the same thing with your 2nd nex set as 5, the difference being that 5 is a very useful hotkey in the middle of the keyboard, which is why I think most progamers only hotkey 1 nexus. Use f2/f3 to swing back and forth to send probes to minerals quickly.


That sounds very reasonable. A lot of hoops to jump through just to produce probes, but when you play a video game 10hrs+ a day, I suppose you have time to learn such things.
baileys[fOrGe]
Profile Joined March 2009
United States19 Posts
November 07 2009 21:38 GMT
#112
It was pretty awkward at first, but it really only took about 10 games or so to get used to. It's a lot faster and more efficient than 0p9p when you consider that you have to find a way to send probes to minerals anyway.

Also, if he's setting F2 at his natural (I read F4 before somewhere but I have no idea), he might be thumbing 'p' and using his pinky to hit f2-f4, which is probably better anyway.
Sharp-eYe
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada642 Posts
December 14 2009 04:35 GMT
#113
What I found with the 4 for nexus is that after around 8 minutes, Bisu stops making probes (unless he loses a significant amount), this way his units are on 1 2 3 4 5, overwriting the nexus and leaving the gateways intact.

My hotkey setup is as follows:

1-4 units
5 gateways
6 w/e
7 scout
8 tech check (I have hard time knowing when my robo is done for example)
90 nexi

F2 coincides with the nexus on 0, F3 coincides with the nexus on 9
F4 for rally point.

This is a very personal hotkey setup, so I dont reccommend someone copying it exactly.The purposes of this setup is to:

use 9p0p
use 5 to whatever for gateways
be able cycle between my tech building, nexus AND scout at the same.

later on in the game I just put gateway on 6, 7 or 8 to give space for units.
Are you truly so blinded by your vaunted religion, that you can't see the fall ahead of you? - Zeratul III AKA WikidSik ingame (anygame)
Gangrel
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
United States137 Posts
December 16 2009 19:03 GMT
#114
--- Nuked ---
rezzan
Profile Joined November 2010
Sweden329 Posts
December 06 2012 09:43 GMT
#115
I dont know if ppl read this thread anymore,but im just gonna add in what I do when i play in terms of hotkeys.

So, i am pretty new to scbw, and i think ive played about maybe 20+ games a day almost for the last 2½-3 months or so
and the hotkeys im using is just because thats how i think its best for ME.

So lets start with units, Normally i only hotkey the spell casters, like HT, or other units like DT's and shuttles, and observers for fast use.

so my general idea is: my units at 1,2 my HT´s at 4 and my shuttles at 3. DT/observers at 0.

buildings

I dont hotkey to many buildings except the important ones sometimes, i build all my buildings very close to each other so i often only need one hotkey for them all. (sounds stupid but if ud see my sim city youd understand)

I place my gateways close to each other so they fit on one screen, so for my gateways i use F2 map hotkey and if i put gateways elsewhere on the map i add another Function key, like F3.

first nexus at 5, and after that 5-8. Robo( if i need to have alot of observers or reavers or whatnot,) i hotkey robo to 9.

this feels really good for me, i generally dont need to hotkey my zealot and dragoons ,but i do it sometimes on 1-2 to reach them easier should i need it,

Summary:


zealot dragoons: hotkey1-2

Spellcasters : hotkey4

gateways: F2

nexus: 5-8

shuttles: hotkey 3

observers: hotkey 0

Robo: hotkey 9

maybe this help someone
Sponsored by Play3r.net and eurodomination.net www.twitch.tv/tacowtf
pebble444
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
Italy2503 Posts
December 06 2012 17:31 GMT
#116
mmmm thanx for bumping this, didn' t know this thread.

I ve played 1100 games give or take but still nooby as well.

I think its optimal not only to use all hotkeys but to master using them as well.
i use:
PvT:
1 scout (after reading the OP i will try and use 9 or something do)
0 main nexus, 9 natural nexus, 8 third (always)

Early game i won t have zealots most likely, so

1, 2, goons

I always hotkey my first 2 or 3 gates to 3, 4, 5.

And i always use F2 and F3 for natural and third, i should use more F4 but i m not used to it.

so middle game i hotket all gateways 3-7, and after F2 general gate aerea and F3 new gateway area.

With terran(TvP) i go 2 cc, 3 racks, 4 first fact and always hotkey my first 4 facts, 890 scan

when i get a natural 23 cc' s and always F2 main F3 natural, 1 scout/later on vultures.

I used to use 12 for vults, 34 tanks, 5 misc but now i find way better inverting tanks and vults so vults34 tanks 12

Do you guys hotkey a shuttle or dropship that you will harass with? if so what key do you use? and templars in it? does anybody actually hotkey workers to pull from a harass?

Do you hotkey a special science vessel (example to stop recall with emp) or arbiter? if so again which key do you use?

What do you use F4 for late game?

"Awaken my Child, and embrace the Glory that is your Birthright"
amazingxkcd
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
GRAND OLD AMERICA16375 Posts
December 06 2012 19:12 GMT
#117
Hmm, if I had to play toss, I would use 1 for nexus, F2-F4 for all nexus, 4-0 for gateways and robos. Like early game, 1, f2 is main nexus, f3 is nat nexus, f4 is 3rd nexus. 2 is first ctrl groups of units then start to get to the 1-4 ctrl groups of army. for harrass shuttle, Im not sure.
The world is burning and you rather be on this terrible website discussing video games and your shallow feelings
Todd P
Profile Joined December 2010
42 Posts
December 06 2012 20:38 GMT
#118
I use a farily simple system:

1-5 units
6 - gateway (one in middle so I can do "66" and macro)
7 - gateway (if I have another main in PvT)
F2-F4 nexii
Impossible is nothing
Cooliophil
Profile Blog Joined August 2012
United States6 Posts
December 06 2012 22:24 GMT
#119
1 - 4 army (+5 late game)
5-0 nexus (6 nat, 7 third)
f2 - gateways
f3 - rally
f4 - main gateways

Still trying out new configurations though.
Gg
number01
Profile Joined December 2012
203 Posts
December 10 2012 18:22 GMT
#120
protoss players use hotkeys?


LOL aint that the truth.

Since i am used to the vanilla hotkeys, i still use 0,9,8 for my buildings.
Idra is the reason I play SC
Prev 1 4 5 6 7 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 17h 49m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Nina 105
FoxeR 55
StarCraft: Brood War
GuemChi 3468
Mong 264
Tasteless 229
Mind 195
ZergMaN 88
Bale 20
HiyA 19
Soma 13
Noble 13
Icarus 11
League of Legends
JimRising 666
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K706
Other Games
summit1g7428
WinterStarcraft1036
NeuroSwarm129
Happy74
Trikslyr21
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1549
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH327
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• lizZardDota2112
League of Legends
• Rush1546
• Lourlo718
• Stunt690
• HappyZerGling111
Upcoming Events
PiGosaur Cup
17h 49m
The PondCast
1d 3h
Kung Fu Cup
1d 4h
OSC
1d 17h
CrankTV Team League
2 days
Replay Cast
2 days
CrankTV Team League
3 days
Korean StarCraft League
3 days
RSL Revival
4 days
Clem vs ByuN
Serral vs SHIN
Online Event
4 days
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
4 days
RSL Revival
5 days
herO vs Solar
Rogue vs Lambo
WardiTV Weekly
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Acropolis #4
HSC XXIX
Eternal Conflict S2 E3

Ongoing

CSL 2026 Summer (S21)
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 3
RSL Revival: Season 6
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
SCTL 2026 Spring
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S3: W4
ASL S22 SEASON OPEN Day 2
Escore Tournament S3: W5
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
HSC XXX
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
Light Tournament 2026
Eternal Conflict S2 Finale
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
Logitech G Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #5
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 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.