• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 02:14
CEST 08:14
KST 15:14
  • 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
TL.net Map Contest #21: Voting10[ASL20] Ro4 Preview: Descent11Team TLMC #5: Winners Announced!3[ASL20] Ro8 Preview Pt2: Holding On9Maestros of the Game: Live Finals Preview (RO4)5
Community News
Chinese SC2 server to reopen; live all-star event in Hangzhou12Weekly Cups (Oct 13-19): Clem Goes for Four0BSL Team A vs Koreans - Sat-Sun 16:00 CET6Weekly Cups (Oct 6-12): Four star herO85.0.15 Patch Balance Hotfix (2025-10-8)80
StarCraft 2
General
Chinese SC2 server to reopen; live all-star event in Hangzhou RotterdaM "Serral is the GOAT, and it's not close" Weekly Cups (March 17-23): Clem Bounces Back DreamHack Open 2013 revealed The New Patch Killed Mech!
Tourneys
$1,200 WardiTV October (Oct 21st-31st) SC2's Safe House 2 - October 18 & 19 INu's Battles #13 - ByuN vs Zoun Tenacious Turtle Tussle Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 496 Endless Infection Mutation # 495 Rest In Peace Mutation # 494 Unstable Environment Mutation # 493 Quick Killers
Brood War
General
Is there anyway to get a private coach? BW General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BSL Season 21 OGN to release AI-upscaled StarLeague from Feb 24
Tourneys
300$ 3D!Community Brood War Super Cup #4 [ASL20] Semifinal B Azhi's Colosseum - Anonymous Tournament [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Current Meta Roaring Currents ASL final [I] Funny Protoss Builds/Strategies BW - ajfirecracker Strategy & Training
Other Games
General Games
Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Dawn of War IV ZeroSpace Megathread
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion LiquidDota to reintegrate into TL.net
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
TL Mafia Community Thread SPIRED by.ASL Mafia {211640}
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread The Chess Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Men's Fashion Thread
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread Series you have seen recently... [Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion!
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023 Formula 1 Discussion NBA General Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
SC2 Client Relocalization [Change SC2 Language] Linksys AE2500 USB WIFI keeps disconnecting Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
Our Last Hope in th…
KrillinFromwales
Certified Crazy
Hildegard
The Heroism of Pepe the Fro…
Peanutsc
Rocket League: Traits, Abili…
TrAiDoS
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1250 users

[PvP] How to defend vs. 2 gate zealot into nexus

Forum Index > Brood War Strategy
Post a Reply
Jubinell
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
333 Posts
August 05 2022 19:04 GMT
#1
Hi guys,

I am about 1600-1700 on ladder. I am having trouble defending against 2-gate rush in PvP.

I'd like to go directly into dragoons with core, skipping zealots. Which kinda makes it very susceptible to this build I know, but could you tell me step by step what should my reaction be depending on when I scout it, if I DO go for dragoons + range?

1. If I scout it before my first dragoon is started, I will make a zealot instead. And immediately start the core.
- Here should I remove 1 probe from gas? Should I build a second gateway? How many probes should I cut? When to put the 3rd probe back on gas?

2. I usually try to manner a pylon at his expansion to slow down the nexus and zealot stream. Is this advisable?

3. It usually gets very difficult to block the ramp on time. Usually the first zealot gets in, what is the best strategy to defend here with no zealot, later with 1 zealot or 1 dragoon? In terms of probe micro, should I try to pull each probe after it gets 2 hits? Or should I try to drone drill to kill the zealot? I have noticed drone drilling really hurts the economy when done incorrectly.

4. If the guy goes for a manner pylon with battery, what should the response be?

Any nice VODS or replays I can learn from? Any other considerations? Thanks for your advice.
TMNT
Profile Joined January 2021
2954 Posts
August 05 2022 22:57 GMT
#2
Well first of all, the timing of your 1st dragoon is the same whether you skip zealot or not. The difference is you have 1 more probe if you skip zealot. Consider what you gain and what you could potentially lose for skipping that zealot.

Then, defending 2 gate zealot rush is more about skill than build order. If you're good enough, you can hold the first 3 zealots with only dragoons and lose nothing, but it's really hard. Send the 1st dragoon out and get as many shots as you can on his incoming zealots. You can't block the ramp. Let them in. By the time they're aproaching your mineral line, your 2nd dragoon should be out. By good control of the dragoons and probe drill, you can kill all 3 zealots and take minimal loss.

If he goes manner pylon and battery, chances are it's proxy and all-in. In that case you should build your own battery, another gateway, produce zealots nonstop and prepare for a micro battle.
psd
Profile Joined February 2016
France93 Posts
August 21 2022 22:26 GMT
#3
If you scout it early, you can shield battery + block your ramp. Only cost you 100 mineral and you will take no damage.

ArmadA[NaS]
Profile Joined January 2014
United States347 Posts
August 22 2022 14:26 GMT
#4
Open zealot core zealot with pylon and shield battery near ramp. Gas steal with your scouting probe. If they kill the gas just go contain and if they expand just proxy reaver (same opening as you would vs 12 nex).
XenOsky
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Chile2279 Posts
Last Edited: 2022-08-25 00:15:14
August 25 2022 00:07 GMT
#5
Battery as soon as 2 gate confirmed (gate scout if 4 player)
(core scout if 3/2 player)
-1 probe in gas
21 gate
23 pylon

By the time 3 zealots come if u dont lose 1st zealot u have 2 gon 1zea, and adjust...

6 goon contain is good to force Cannons, threat bust and expand...

Try to not cut probes
Try not to lose any probes vs initial 3 zealot


Nexus robo 4 gate and adap to wtf hes doin, at 1600-1800 most will Try to all in 2 base 8 gate no ob or some stupid shit like that...
StarCraft & Audax Italiano.
Jubinell
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
333 Posts
August 25 2022 15:17 GMT
#6
On August 25 2022 09:07 XenOsky wrote:
Battery as soon as 2 gate confirmed (gate scout if 4 player)
(core scout if 3/2 player)
-1 probe in gas
21 gate
23 pylon

By the time 3 zealots come if u dont lose 1st zealot u have 2 gon 1zea, and adjust...

6 goon contain is good to force Cannons, threat bust and expand...

Try to not cut probes
Try not to lose any probes vs initial 3 zealot


Nexus robo 4 gate and adap to wtf hes doin, at 1600-1800 most will Try to all in 2 base 8 gate no ob or some stupid shit like that...



- OK cool when do I put probes back on gas and how many?
- Any tips to micro probes against zealot attack?
- What if he goes manner pylon + battery or additional gate inside base? Make forge? 2nd gate? More batteries?
IvaNioX_twitch
Profile Joined August 2022
25 Posts
Last Edited: 2022-08-30 03:27:44
August 29 2022 14:46 GMT
#7
well,

8/9 pylon and 9/9 gateway (this is important) near ramp [pylon range can add battery]

when first zealot is 30% block ramp with 1 probe (if you do properly he cant join into ur base with probe), then 1stzealot is completed and block ramp with zealot+probe, if no enemy probe appear, in 5 seconds, you can scout MIDDLE MAP just for discard proxy 2 gate.

Another zealot is ready, and your probe is scouting map.

If 1 enemy zealot appear, send 1 probe between 2 zealots.

If total 3 zealot sent by enemy, send 2 probes (your third zealot should be almost finished or already finished), its no problem to stop.

If your probe scouted no gas, just add 1 battery for defense vs 5 zealot, your advantage is gas, you have to block enemy nexus (pylon his expansion) if you success then you have gas and technology advantage (maybe you can exp, or reaver or whatever you want, you have both advantages). if he gas you still have more gas than the oponent feel free to try 3 gate obs, or robotic exp (observer reaver exp shuttle reaver + go)
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
PiGosaur Monday
00:00
#54
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 867
Aegong 43
Noble 26
Purpose 10
NotJumperer 5
League of Legends
JimRising 775
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K638
Coldzera 252
Other Games
summit1g7868
WinterStarcraft410
C9.Mang0346
Tasteless159
Mew2King96
Trikslyr16
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick890
Counter-Strike
PGL263
Other Games
BasetradeTV100
StarCraft: Brood War
UltimateBattle 18
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 13 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV323
League of Legends
• Lourlo1505
• Stunt467
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
3h 46m
OSC
9h 46m
Tenacious Turtle Tussle
16h 46m
The PondCast
1d 3h
OSC
1d 5h
WardiTV Invitational
2 days
Online Event
2 days
RSL Revival
2 days
RSL Revival
3 days
WardiTV Invitational
3 days
[ Show More ]
Afreeca Starleague
4 days
Snow vs Soma
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
WardiTV Invitational
4 days
CrankTV Team League
4 days
RSL Revival
4 days
Wardi Open
5 days
CrankTV Team League
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
WardiTV Invitational
6 days
CrankTV Team League
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Acropolis #4 - TS2
WardiTV TLMC #15
HCC Europe

Ongoing

BSL 21 Points
ASL Season 20
CSL 2025 AUTUMN (S18)
C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
EC S1
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual

Upcoming

SC4ALL: Brood War
BSL Season 21
BSL 21 Team A
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
RSL Offline Finals
RSL Revival: Season 3
Stellar Fest
SC4ALL: StarCraft II
CranK Gathers Season 2: SC II Pro Teams
eXTREMESLAND 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
SL Budapest Major 2025
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
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.