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PvP responding to dt->expo

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micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24767 Posts
August 04 2007 07:37 GMT
#1
I've seen several different versions of a pvp build where the guy rushes dt and expands. My friend told me if you make a robo on 32 supply, the observer will pop out just at the right time to deflect a dt rush.

I played a game on iccup where the guy did a 2dt rush, and my observer was a few seconds late, but it wasn't game deciding. The trouble was I wasn't able to respond correctly to punish him for going dt directly into my observers build.

To give a bit of background, I used to just go 3 gate goons because I sucked with reavers, but I've been learning to go 2 gate + reaver, partially due to being inspired by Nony's reaver siege vod on gaia. I'm going to need to learn not to rely on reavers every game since they definitely wouldn't work in this game; his templar would obviously destroy them with storms. If you were wondering, I made the support bay by accident and didn't mean to make it when his dt came.

So my main question is, exactly how should I respond once I see he's gone dt->expo. As you can see in the replay, I wasn't strong enough to stop him. My desperate attempt to not fall behind was to double expand and macro to get ahead of him before he realized it, but unfortunately I can't get the feel for that as it requires managing 3 bases while macroing and my play isn't quite there yet. I'm also not sure if that is a viable strategy or not. Feedback would be appreciated.

So the two things I need help with are 1) what did I definitely do wrong before I killed his dt that would have set me up better for my counter (other than the support bay) and 2) what are the options for responding?

http://www.battlereports.com/viewreplays.php?replaynum=32475 = the replay
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
OneOther
Profile Blog Joined August 2004
United States10774 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-08-04 08:17:31
August 04 2007 08:16 GMT
#2
my favorite counter to that is two gate + reaver asap. I think it is really the best option. Micro your reavers so they dont get stormed to death (make him waste his storms with your goons).

ps - why not just make reavers if you have support bay? :o


I am gonna watch the rep soon.
imBLIND
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States2626 Posts
August 04 2007 08:32 GMT
#3
well, going temp tech first hes putting obs later and sacrificing all that gas to get there. he probably has less goons than you, so depending on how long u were put back, you can shove ur goons up his choke, or just play it safe and expo, leading to some other pvp. Reavers would really help here, like countering dt rush with a reaver drop.
Basically, he cant scout as well and has less forces, so after getting ur obs u can sneak another expo, destroy his force (assuming u can micro ur goons and reavers...right?), out tech him, uhh..

responding to dt....
if u scouted it, get forge and a couple of cannons at ur nex/gates/choke or where ever u feel nessacary. get obs asap
if u didnt scout it, you could block him at ur choke and getting detection, try to trap teh dt, just do what ever u can so he cant kill too many of ur probes. in most cases, dt in base usually leads to a really big advantage...

just my 2 cents, i play terran and analyzing toss builds,
lots of goons probably will equal a goon+something else build. normal robo.
Lots of zlots means u probably need forge and detection quicker,because he has that option of going dt.
No range means probably means reavers or dt, so cannon up anyways.

^all of that is really really from what ive been obsing, but i play terran and thats what usually happens anyways in tvp. in pvp that should be the same thing...right?
anyways just my 2 cents
im deaf
CustomXSpunjah
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States1093 Posts
August 04 2007 08:32 GMT
#4
agreed with oneother, if you had the support you could have reav/gooned his ass and overran his stupid dt>expo. the dt>expo build is so weak once you figure out hes going expos cause the dts are weak as hell if u got obs and hes not going to have great macro because he spent alot of money on tech/dts
beware, the rise of the Protoss is upon us!
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24767 Posts
August 04 2007 09:18 GMT
#5
So two people claim continuing to goon reaver him is suitable... is it possible to attack with 2 reavers before he has a couple of storms? If he has storms, isn't that really bad for aggressively using reavers?
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
Aphelion
Profile Blog Joined December 2005
United States2720 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-08-04 09:45:45
August 04 2007 09:38 GMT
#6
When he does dt-> expo, he is really relying on a set cannon storm defense. Use your reavers to fly around and force him to reposition his troops, maybe even kill probes before the battle, then fly out to the front and smash him with goon reaver while his forces are in disarray.

Be real careful about players who sneak dts in to your main when they see you leave though. Might need an obs / goons there, or even get a forge.

Edit: Also try to snag a few of those dts when he first comes with them. His gas with be spread quite thin between getting range, storm, goons or even leg speed. Force him to make some painful choices by killing those 2 dts, so he might feel compelled to build a couple more. That can slow down storm significantly.

Edit2: If he is going such early dt that a 32-33ish robo is late, then chances are that you could have done some early aggression cuz he would definitely have less goons or no range. Make him nervous by probing around with your forces a little. If you make him spend more money on another gate or more goons before citadel, your in good shape. Also you would know from his troop count and behavior whether he is going fast dt or reaver, and you can react accordingly.
But Garimto was always more than just a Protoss...
NonY
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
8751 Posts
August 04 2007 09:46 GMT
#7
bisu vs testie on blitz x is a good game to look at. testie does dt expo, bisu counter-attacks with 1 reaver. he forces testie to build so many cannons that bisu is able to double-expo easily and get an advantage that he never lets up.

reavers can help you but i think your build was bad. you get robo a lot later than how i instructed. even if you had proceeded to get reavers instead of expanding, they would have indeed been too late. but they don't have to be. and also, once his dt attack was over and you start to macro, your macro was less than perfect. you could have still come back.

also on a sidenote, imo if you are going to dt expo, you must send in only 1 dt to his base and leave the other dt outside. if he tries to counter-attack, you send that dt in. since your opponent only has 1 robo and he needs to build shuttle and reaver in order to counter-attack, he is only left with 1 observer to play with. if he waits for 2 observers, it can make the difference so that your storm can finish in time. if your opponent is going 3gate goon + obs, you might be in trouble ~_~ but that build is not so popular since reaver/goon can beat it in many cases. so in the end, it's a bit rick paper scissors, with reaver/goon being the best all-around build.
"Fucking up is part of it. If you can't fail, you have to always win. And I don't think you can always win." Elliott Smith ---------- Yet no sudden rage darkened his face, and his eyes were calm as they studied her. Then he smiled. 'Witness.'
NonY
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
8751 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-08-04 09:51:41
August 04 2007 09:51 GMT
#8
aphelion: if he probes with his troops to see if his opponent is not building many goons or range, it's not safe to assume DT rush when it is equally possible that he could be doing double robo or at least 1 robo before a 2nd gate or range. i have seen double robo here and there on iccup, especially in positions that are close by flight like you see in python and gaia. double robo was also done by stork in MSL finals against bisu (he could do it on positions that werent close by flight because he had double gas in his main). i dont think stork was planning on it -- it looked more out of desperation -- but it worked. it's a dangerous and valid build.
"Fucking up is part of it. If you can't fail, you have to always win. And I don't think you can always win." Elliott Smith ---------- Yet no sudden rage darkened his face, and his eyes were calm as they studied her. Then he smiled. 'Witness.'
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24767 Posts
August 04 2007 10:47 GMT
#9
On August 04 2007 18:46 NonY[rC] wrote:
bisu vs testie on blitz x is a good game to look at. testie does dt expo, bisu counter-attacks with 1 reaver. he forces testie to build so many cannons that bisu is able to double-expo easily and get an advantage that he never lets up.

I just watched that for the first time. It seems like, as you said, the key to Bisu's lead was to take a third base sooner, while maintaining pressure on Testie. I also see how Bisu's build was similar to that one you used, and how he went with just 1 reaver to allow for earlier pressure, and a second observer earlier. This is very helpful.

reavers can help you but i think your build was bad. you get robo a lot later than how i instructed. even if you had proceeded to get reavers instead of expanding, they would have indeed been too late. but they don't have to be. and also, once his dt attack was over and you start to macro, your macro was less than perfect. you could have still come back.

As I said I started using reavers because I saw how good they can be in your vod, but up until now I haven't been trying to mimic your build order. I watched your video again and I see better how you time your robotics and second gateway (specifically in that order). Also, yeah I definitely noticed the macro shortcomings... this happens to me whenever I am on less familiar maps or playing less familiar bo's or strategies, so I'll work on this as I play.

also on a sidenote, imo if you are going to dt expo, you must send in only 1 dt to his base and leave the other dt outside. if he tries to counter-attack, you send that dt in. since your opponent only has 1 robo and he needs to build shuttle and reaver in order to counter-attack, he is only left with 1 observer to play with. if he waits for 2 observers, it can make the difference so that your storm can finish in time. if your opponent is going 3gate goon + obs, you might be in trouble ~_~ but that build is not so popular since reaver/goon can beat it in many cases. so in the end, it's a bit rick paper scissors, with reaver/goon being the best all-around build.

I see how this worked for testie in that game. If bisu's second observer was a few seconds later, he would have been getting his probes diced up.
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
Jonoman92
Profile Blog Joined September 2006
United States9107 Posts
August 04 2007 15:10 GMT
#10
micronesia... don't let cali see this thread, I dont' want to have to learn another PvP build.
SuicidalMania
Profile Joined October 2006
New Zealand27 Posts
August 04 2007 17:27 GMT
#11
You simply got outmacrod. You had 3 gates for most of the game while he had 5
Naib
Profile Blog Joined November 2004
Hungary4866 Posts
August 04 2007 18:05 GMT
#12
If you don't fuck up, you can have 2 observers (1 scouting / with your attack army, 1 defending, in case he wants to run in when you leave your base) + 2 gate robo with 2 reavers and a shuttle attacking just in time before he gets his storm, or in the worst case, he gets 2 storms and has no units. Piece of cake to counter if you are not put behind too much by his DT's. As for 3 gate goon - it's crap against this, he'll get cannon + zeal and hold you while he techs to storm, from then on, you're screwed.
Complete the cycle!
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24767 Posts
August 04 2007 18:43 GMT
#13
On August 04 2007 18:46 NonY[rC] wrote:
if your opponent is going 3gate goon + obs, you might be in trouble ~_~ but that build is not so popular since reaver/goon can beat it in many cases.

Naib wrote:
As for 3 gate goon - it's crap against this, he'll get cannon + zeal and hold you while he techs to storm, from then on, you're screwed.

It's gotta take balls to blatantly say the opposite of what this year's wcg usa winner said about his own mirror matchup.

Also, I'd like the people saying how e-_-z it is to counter this to show me a replay of them doing it vs a good player -_-. Don't worry though, I saw bisu do it so I already have some good source material.
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
NonY
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
8751 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-08-04 22:03:38
August 04 2007 22:01 GMT
#14
i think naib just misunderstood what you actually do with the 3gate goon. i wouldnt expect the 3gate goon to counter and win right there. on a map like python, it might win, since the choke is so wide. on tau, longinus, gaia, azalea, etc, it won't be so easy. however, you dont continue to power goons when you first see the DT. you actually stop building goons completely and go counter, just to apply pressure and force him to stop probes and to build extra cannons. your economy can easily surpass his despite expanding much later

ps: naib is pretty good. he's not some random guy
"Fucking up is part of it. If you can't fail, you have to always win. And I don't think you can always win." Elliott Smith ---------- Yet no sudden rage darkened his face, and his eyes were calm as they studied her. Then he smiled. 'Witness.'
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24767 Posts
August 04 2007 22:31 GMT
#15
On August 05 2007 07:01 NonY[rC] wrote:
i think naib just misunderstood what you actually do with the 3gate goon. i wouldnt expect the 3gate goon to counter and win right there. on a map like python, it might win, since the choke is so wide. on tau, longinus, gaia, azalea, etc, it won't be so easy. however, you dont continue to power goons when you first see the DT. you actually stop building goons completely and go counter, just to apply pressure and force him to stop probes and to build extra cannons. your economy can easily surpass his despite expanding much later

ps: naib is pretty good. he's not some random guy


Okay, cool. But I don't understand what the purpose of stopping goon production is when you see the dt. As you said, you should counter right away... but what's the advantage of stopping goon production?
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
SuperJongMan
Profile Blog Joined March 2003
Jamaica11586 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-08-04 22:53:02
August 04 2007 22:50 GMT
#16
On August 04 2007 18:18 micronesia wrote:
So two people claim continuing to goon reaver him is suitable... is it possible to attack with 2 reavers before he has a couple of storms? If he has storms, isn't that really bad for aggressively using reavers?


There is no way if you properly time your attack he has over 3 storms. Even 3 storms is a lot at that point.

Get your reavers out.
POWER OVERWHELMING ! ! ! KRUU~ KRUU~
Shauni
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
4077 Posts
August 04 2007 23:02 GMT
#17
Ideal counter is dtdrop, here's a rep

PvP Azalea
I'm taking whatever coverage I can get, because frankly, I'm busy working on this million dollar deal at my job. Early retirement is a good thing brotha man. - MessengerASL
NonY
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
8751 Posts
August 04 2007 23:15 GMT
#18
stop goon production so that you can expand as soon as possible. the extra goons wont even be helpful with the type of micro you'll be doing.

dt drop is not the ideal counter. dt drop can be stopped easily without sacrificing too much. you'll never see a game where there was nothing that could have been done about a dt drop. you'll only see games where something could have been done, but it wasnt, so the dt drop was successful. that's not an ideal counter at all.
"Fucking up is part of it. If you can't fail, you have to always win. And I don't think you can always win." Elliott Smith ---------- Yet no sudden rage darkened his face, and his eyes were calm as they studied her. Then he smiled. 'Witness.'
Yaqoob
Profile Blog Joined March 2005
Canada3356 Posts
August 04 2007 23:19 GMT
#19
Thanks Micro for making this thread
김택용 Fighting!
EmS.Radagast
Profile Joined November 2004
Israel280 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-08-04 23:32:32
August 04 2007 23:23 GMT
#20

Ideal counter is dtdrop, here's a rep

I second that
dt drop will basically auto kill his main nexus, unless he really sees it coming. 2 cannons will not save him, just drop 2 dts on top of each cannon with some good shuttle micro and his nexus will soon be on the way to destruction



I know its not THREE-DEE!!
Knickknack
Profile Joined February 2004
United States1187 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-08-05 02:47:01
August 04 2007 23:37 GMT
#21
Everyone else seems to have focused on 2, so I'm going to focus on "1) what did I definitely do wrong before I killed his dt that would have set me up better for my counter". That is, build order, basically. Thats what I'm best at anyway.

Your build plan, that is, 2zeal to core to 2nd gate to range to robo is perfectly fine. Though, I suppose robo before 2nd gate is the safer bet overall since you lost your scout early, and it gives you the option for faster reaver. No matter, I don't care to speculate; I'll focus this game and the build plan used. Some catches in how you carried the build plan out though. Not building probes as consistently as possible (see build order bellow). Suff like building 2nd pylon far away, yes a strategic decision, but did not help you at all. Some more probably like which probes grabbed to build stuff, etc.

My build order for this build plan (same position, scouted off 8p)
8p,10gate,12assim,13p,14z, 17z, 20core, 22Gate+p, 23goon, 26range, 28gg, 32p, 33robo, 35gg, 39p, gg, 45observetory+p, gg+ob... Assuming no probe losses, if probe loss just build 1psi earlier.

To review: at 6:14 you have 52psi (including lost z/probe), 7g, 2z, 1goon just started(mins pile up a bit because of pylon timing and you have to deal with dts), ob half done. I have 54psi, 7goon, 2z, 2 goon 2/3 done, ob finished. So, better macro, and would only have lost 1-2 units at the worst, while you lost 2z/goon/5probes/mining time/let mins pile up. My unit numbers (~9g/2z compared to your ~7g vs. his 3z/1-3goon/1-3cannon/2ht no storm) would probably have been enough to take down his expo right there with a counter attack. Or just outmacro him later on as he was not that impressive.

Oh and as far as I remember about testie vs bisu it was not his build response that did anything much for him, but that he won the main battle 15 min in when they were both 200/200 by a lot and it was downhill from there.

edit - I Don't mind looking a pvp reps and helping even though I dont even play or vist here often anymore, so if you like to send me one later or would like a build order pm. And yea that b.o is more or less as good as its going to get, besides some changes like 21core, which I may prefer, but other than stuff like that you'd have to change the plan...
| www.ArtofProtoss.vze.com |
Purind
Profile Blog Joined April 2004
Canada3562 Posts
August 05 2007 00:21 GMT
#22
Nice thread. PvP is my worst mu and I learned a ton just from reading the 3-4 nony posts. Thanks
Trucy Wright is hot
DamageControL
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States4222 Posts
August 05 2007 00:56 GMT
#23
For me reaver builds can work against storms by combining tactical drops, and using them in attacks. With good micro you can avoid being slauughtered with storms. Unfrotunately. my micro isnt always good enouigh to do this but mmy apm is 90-110 so...

I also like the dt drop idea other have poted, i havent tested it though.
Liquid | SKT
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24767 Posts
August 05 2007 01:35 GMT
#24
I also think using dt drop as a response is not a good idea. The only way you could get the dt fast enough would be if you somehow saw early evidence he was going for dt, and if you saw it he probably knows you did and will prepare accordingly. Maybe it would be a nice surprise vs a player that knows you normally don't do that but w/e.

Knickknack, your build seems more optimized, as well as error free (at least by comparison). However, I want to try doing the robo before the second gate. Also I noticed in bisu vs testie it did seem like that big battle was critical. Honestly, it always seemed like testie was doing better until it turned out that bisu was ahead haha.
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
KwarK
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States43805 Posts
August 05 2007 03:13 GMT
#25
On August 05 2007 08:23 EmS.Radagast wrote:
Show nested quote +

Ideal counter is dtdrop, here's a rep

I second that
dt drop will basically auto kill his main nexus, unless he really sees it coming. 2 cannons will not save him, just drop 2 dts on top of each cannon with some good shuttle micro and his nexus will soon be on the way to destruction





This is a common misconception which leads to me being called a maphacker on ICC because I make cannons in my main. Dt drop is worn out, it won't get anyone who knows it's coming which is pretty much anyone worth playing. They will know you're not massing because of the scout probe and will therefore have goons at their main nexus in antireaver positions and cannons in case of dark. Thus the dropping dark on top of cannon is a surefire way to get the shuttle shot down and the darks will be extremely outgunned.
ModeratorThe angels have the phone box
MaTRiX[SiN]
Profile Joined September 2003
Sweden1282 Posts
August 06 2007 00:05 GMT
#26
On August 05 2007 03:05 Naib wrote:
If you don't fuck up, you can have 2 observers (1 scouting / with your attack army, 1 defending, in case he wants to run in when you leave your base) + 2 gate robo with 2 reavers and a shuttle attacking just in time before he gets his storm, or in the worst case, he gets 2 storms and has no units. Piece of cake to counter if you are not put behind too much by his DT's. As for 3 gate goon - it's crap against this, he'll get cannon + zeal and hold you while he techs to storm, from then on, you're screwed.
Im starting to think I play a different game than the rest of you or something... 2 reavers+shuttle+2observers before he has storm? really? you must be playing with an insanely early robotics, in my experience you'll have plenty of storms before any type of reaver attack.

imo the best play against dt->xpo is to
1) expand yourself asap
2) pressure with goons to make him build more cannons (but still not risking to get stabbed by dts so keep 2goons+2nd observer at your ramp)
3) tech to archives and dt drop

the dt drop isnt an instant game win or something like that, it's to make him build cannons in main and get his robotics in time. also it lets you catch up in tech (you dont want to play midgame with goon/reaver when he has storm). then you can follow that by storm drops aswell etc.

as I see it playing dt isnt a gamble build putting you at a disadvantage if the opponent went observers, the obs player'll have a unit advantage but the dt player'll have a tech advantage and possibly an eco advantage.
aka StormtoSS
NonY
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
8751 Posts
August 06 2007 00:22 GMT
#27
On August 06 2007 09:05 MaTRiX[SiN] wrote:
the dt drop isnt an instant game win or something like that, it's to make him build cannons in main and get his robotics in time. also it lets you catch up in tech (you dont want to play midgame with goon/reaver when he has storm). then you can follow that by storm drops aswell etc.


Going dt drop doesn't make him get cannons in main or earlier robotics... He's not in a position to scout your build, so he doesn't scout your DT drop and then respond to it. Instead, he's blind, and he is forced to get cannons in main and robo just because there's a chance you will DT drop. If you think he's going to cannon and robo, then actually doing the DT drop is not beneficial to you. The best situation is to force him to defend against a DT drop but to not be doing a DT drop.

So basically, whether or not you are actually doing a DT drop isn't what makes him build cannons in main. The only thing making him do that is that he knows there is a chance you can DT drop.

But remember that you should have an observer, so you can just go and look to see if he has defence against a DT drop. Check right when your archives finishes and you can decide between DT or HT + storm.

I really prefer the storm drop. The minerals you save on dropping 2 HT instead of 4 DT (or a combo of DT and zealot) will buy you a nexus, or 2-3 gateways (if you want to power off 2 nexus). Put your shuttle right outside his main and your goons right outside his nat. Send your shuttle in, and pump your goons in and out. It'll pretty much guarantee that he won't run away his probes in time.
"Fucking up is part of it. If you can't fail, you have to always win. And I don't think you can always win." Elliott Smith ---------- Yet no sudden rage darkened his face, and his eyes were calm as they studied her. Then he smiled. 'Witness.'
MaTRiX[SiN]
Profile Joined September 2003
Sweden1282 Posts
August 06 2007 01:11 GMT
#28
wrote that kinda poorly.. I mean if you dont tech to archives you can let him get away with not doing those things in time, and it's not like you should suicide drop your dts once u've seen him build cannons...
aka StormtoSS
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24767 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-08-06 01:17:40
August 06 2007 01:16 GMT
#29
There would be no reason to even load the dts into a shuttle since your observer would scout cannons and you can cancel dt and go with ht+storm + nexus/or/gateways instead.

Edit: But I guess getting the archives early doesn't hurt too much anyway, so you keep the opportunity in case he gets greedy.
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
Salv
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
Canada3083 Posts
January 23 2008 06:17 GMT
#30
I'm curious about what Aphelion said. Aphelion said that using your reavers to fly in his base and disrupt mining and/or just cause some havoc in general will probably make the other Protoss move some (or maybe all if your lucky) in to his main to deal with your harass. While he does this, you can be expanding and such or fly back to the choke and attack while some of his units aren't ready for your attack.

I'd like someone to elaborate on that since that wasn't really discussed in later posts. Logically, to me this seems like the best counter since he has to deal with your harass and can either even up the economic advantage he gained with the fast expo as opposed to your later expansion, or even maybe break his choke completely. My questions are:
1 ) Do you run the risk of the Protoss just attacking you while your in his base with the reavers? You wouldn't have your reavers there to help your goons at his choke, so you could maybe lose a lot of units?
2 ) If you are going to harass with the reavers and possibly try to disarray his troops, than attack; should you wait until your second observer is done to prevent a dt stab?
3 ) With moderate harassing (couple probes maybe, hurt some buildings and units), do you think it would be wise to take a third base quickly?
Yaqoob
Profile Blog Joined March 2005
Canada3356 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-01-23 07:20:57
January 23 2008 07:20 GMT
#31
1) He can't really attack you because at this point [if you did a normal 2 Gate Goon --> Obs/Reaver build and He did a normal dt --> expo] and before you had stopped the DT from doing alot of damage so when you attack with your first reaver then He really wouldn't have alot of units. He should have 4-5 Cannons and 3-4 Temps and choke and maybe 3-4 goons. He's afraid your going to attack his choke with mass goons and He has no obs to see where your army is or anything like that. If you attack him with 1-2 Reavers in the main...how can he attack you because at that point his army is for defending. Its inferior to you because he just expoed/only has cannons and a few units and 3-4 temps. Thats his army till he adds 3-4 gates [btw he won't even have goon range at this point].

2) You can start harassing with your reaver right away because once he expos he is at his weakest. Then when you get the 2nd ob you can move out with your army and leave 2 goons + ob near your nat [by the ramp].

3) With a couple of probes [meaning 5-10] + 2-3 goons then I'd say no. You should be in the lead then because I am guessing after or once you saw dts you expoed in your nat right away and didn't have to make cannons and stuff. This really depends on what you kill. If you did moderate harass and you think you have a slight economic and army advantage then actually taking a third base quiet early is a gamble. If he doesn't move out soon then its good for you because once that base is established with cannons and stuff and mining then you will have an advantage but if you harassed moderately took that third base [added cannons] so you spend say about 900 minerals and he decided to move out and attack then for that 2-3 mins he would have the window to take down that expo or destroy your army [his nat was faster then your nat].

I am not that good player but I am trying to reply to this as best as possible.
김택용 Fighting!
Zherak
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
Norway256 Posts
January 23 2008 09:43 GMT
#32
I have had some success with:

A: DT rush -> Cannon-Exp
B: 2gate goon -> Observer

If A is doing the very Cannon/Zealot-intensive FE, you build one Shuttle and ferry all your Dragoons into his main. Works like a charm on Longinus, for instance.
The bowsprit got mixed with the rudder sometimes...
NonY
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
8751 Posts
January 24 2008 17:21 GMT
#33
On January 23 2008 15:17 Salv wrote:
I'm curious about what Aphelion said. Aphelion said that using your reavers to fly in his base and disrupt mining and/or just cause some havoc in general will probably make the other Protoss move some (or maybe all if your lucky) in to his main to deal with your harass. While he does this, you can be expanding and such or fly back to the choke and attack while some of his units aren't ready for your attack.

I'd like someone to elaborate on that since that wasn't really discussed in later posts. Logically, to me this seems like the best counter since he has to deal with your harass and can either even up the economic advantage he gained with the fast expo as opposed to your later expansion, or even maybe break his choke completely. My questions are:
1 ) Do you run the risk of the Protoss just attacking you while your in his base with the reavers? You wouldn't have your reavers there to help your goons at his choke, so you could maybe lose a lot of units?
2 ) If you are going to harass with the reavers and possibly try to disarray his troops, than attack; should you wait until your second observer is done to prevent a dt stab?
3 ) With moderate harassing (couple probes maybe, hurt some buildings and units), do you think it would be wise to take a third base quickly?

1) Your opponent should barely have any units. He'll have the few goons and zealots he built before his archives finished, he'll have maybe a DT or 2 still surviving, and he'll have 3-4 HT. He definitely won't have an army that can go on offense. He's relying on cannon/storm combo so he can't counter. It's possible that if your goons are in a clump outside his base, he could land a few storms while you're not looking.
2) Yes you should probably wait for a 2nd observer and leave it with a goon in your mineral line. But really the best answer is just to make sure you have all his DT's accounted for in whatever way you see fit. I have skipped having DT defense in some games because I felt confident that he wouldn't send one in, but honestly there is no way to be sure.
3) In some cases, you can indeed take a third base quickly. Find the replay of the Blitz X game of Bisu vs Testie that I talked about earlier in this thread.

I don't think that reaver harrass while fishing for a possibility to bust his choke is the best thing. If you cut dragoons to make your 2nd nexus and pump probes non-stop, then I don't see how you'll have enough dragoons. But if you don't cut dragoons, you are doing an all-in play when you don't have to. I think doing reaver harrass is a good idea, and you should keep in mind that he might weaken his choke defense if your reaver harrass is going really well, but it's not something I'd ever count on. Your opponent should have enough HT energy to cast 3-4 storms and that means he is favored to defend. When I practiced PvP on Blitz X with Testie, and Testie was doing the DT expo build every game, I tried doing speed shuttle builds that were dedicated to give me the best opportunity to harrass his build, and ultimately I failed. The person with the reaver and the shuttle has a much more difficult task and is risking much more while doing it.
"Fucking up is part of it. If you can't fail, you have to always win. And I don't think you can always win." Elliott Smith ---------- Yet no sudden rage darkened his face, and his eyes were calm as they studied her. Then he smiled. 'Witness.'
GeneralZap
Profile Joined January 2008
United States172 Posts
January 25 2008 01:36 GMT
#34
I myself would skip observers. It is tempting to tech up on them, but they are expensive to do that with.

I would do 1-2 gates, with forge, skip observers, and gradually upgrade from zealot speed, up to reavers, maybe a few dragoons in the mix, but photons don't cost gas. Your zealots and photons can do pretty good against reaves I would think, dt's dropped from shuttles are a threat without zealots nearby, and basically pawn dt's unless in bulk. However, if you stay on the offence, I would think you would be fine.
Forseen Con's:
As far as HT's, you could probably send a few zealots in to have them running... or hopefully dieing.

Air is a great threat. A good gradual zealot attack might be your last chance on that occasion.

Death has lost its sting.
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24767 Posts
January 25 2008 03:56 GMT
#35
On January 25 2008 10:36 GeneralZap wrote:
I myself would skip observers. It is tempting to tech up on them, but they are expensive to do that with.
You don't want to skip observers.

I would do 1-2 gates, with forge, skip observers, and gradually upgrade from zealot speed, up to reavers, maybe a few dragoons in the mix, but photons don't cost gas.
Try that vs any of the people giving advice in this thread, it will probably become clear why that won't work.
Your zealots and photons can do pretty good against reaves I would think, dt's dropped from shuttles are a threat without zealots nearby, and basically pawn dt's unless in bulk. However, if you stay on the offence, I would think you would be fine.
Forseen Con's:
As far as HT's, you could probably send a few zealots in to have them running... or hopefully dieing.

Air is a great threat. A good gradual zealot attack might be your last chance on that occasion.
Uh what.
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
Jonoman92
Profile Blog Joined September 2006
United States9107 Posts
January 25 2008 05:10 GMT
#36
yikes, that should possibly earn a strat-forum ban...

One general comment is that you should always try and counter immediately hoping you can kill his cannons and dodge his storm well enough. Even if you don't think you can break his defense you can force him to make more cannons than he needs and it can be intimidating having an army sitting outside his base that could attack at any time.

Always be sure you have an obs at home of course and i'd suggest keeping a goon too unless you're confident that you killed all his initial dts and the rest are within his base and not roaming around.
GeneralZap
Profile Joined January 2008
United States172 Posts
January 25 2008 13:02 GMT
#37
Hey, I would probably do it, but then again, I don't know everything, I was just thinking about it.


Basically I was saying I would make a descent amount of photons, and make zealots, enough to fend off 3 dt's per cannon, and try to upgrade speed when they start trying reaver drops. While doing that, you could make a few dragoons, or just skip them and go to reavers and shuttles.

That is what I would do, I didn't say I'd force you at gunpoint sir. And please do explain what is wrong (if you would?), because my connection is too slow to play anything. I myself need advice apparently.
Death has lost its sting.
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24767 Posts
January 25 2008 13:57 GMT
#38
Zealots to fend off reavers is a horrible idea. Regardless of if they have speed...

I'm trying to picture some zealots chasing after one of Legionnaire's shuttles.
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
kAra
Profile Joined September 2004
Germany1405 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-01-25 19:34:00
January 25 2008 19:33 GMT
#39
On January 25 2008 22:57 micronesia wrote:
Zealots to fend off reavers is a horrible idea. Regardless of if they have speed...


mada mada dane
NonY
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
8751 Posts
January 25 2008 19:44 GMT
#40
Hahaha kAra do you think zero-liners are better than one-liners?
"Fucking up is part of it. If you can't fail, you have to always win. And I don't think you can always win." Elliott Smith ---------- Yet no sudden rage darkened his face, and his eyes were calm as they studied her. Then he smiled. 'Witness.'
kAra
Profile Joined September 2004
Germany1405 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-01-25 20:27:16
January 25 2008 20:25 GMT
#41
im trying to find my style : )
well no but that advice was rly bad so i kinda... had .... to


/e well to add something how would u respond nony i was thinkin about this too.. goon reaver kinda never works out for me to get the exp down before he can outmacro me
mada mada dane
GeneralZap
Profile Joined January 2008
United States172 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-01-26 01:25:29
January 26 2008 01:22 GMT
#42
Sorry Micronesia, I was thinking about another reaver drop, with a cliff, without much space for shuttles to shoefer around Reavers and not be blasted by photon cannons.

And the download didn't work with Realplayer, or Windows Media player. What is the terrain kind sir? I must no longer assume that terrain is like a book, you envision it to make it interesting, like a movie of sorts.
Death has lost its sting.
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24767 Posts
January 26 2008 03:20 GMT
#43
On January 26 2008 10:22 GeneralZap wrote:
Sorry Micronesia, I was thinking about another reaver drop, with a cliff, without much space for shuttles to shoefer around Reavers and not be blasted by photon cannons.

And the download didn't work with Realplayer, or Windows Media player. What is the terrain kind sir? I must no longer assume that terrain is like a book, you envision it to make it interesting, like a movie of sorts.
Python IIRC. Either way, I think your suggestion is lacking validity.
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
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