• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 23:10
CEST 05:10
KST 12:10
  • 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
[ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt2: All Star10Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - The Finalists16[ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt1: Fresh Flow9[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt2: News Flash10[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt1: New Chaos0
Community News
2026 GSL Season 1 Qualifiers15Maestros of the Game 2 announced92026 GSL Tour plans announced15Weekly Cups (April 6-12): herO doubles, "Villains" prevail1MaNa leaves Team Liquid24
StarCraft 2
General
Maestros of the Game 2 announced 2026 GSL Tour plans announced Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - The Finalists MaNa leaves Team Liquid Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool
Tourneys
2026 GSL Season 1 Qualifiers Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament GSL CK: More events planned pending crowdfunding RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2)
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players [M] (2) Frigid Storage
External Content
Mutation # 522 Flip My Base The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 521 Memorable Boss Mutation # 520 Moving Fees
Brood War
General
Data needed ASL21 Strategy, Pimpest Plays Discussions ASL21 General Discussion Pros React To: ASL S21, Ro.16 Group C BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/
Tourneys
Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 [ASL21] Ro16 Group C [ASL21] Ro16 Group D [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers What's the deal with APM & what's its true value Any training maps people recommend? Fighting Spirit mining rates
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Total Annihilation Server - TAForever Diablo IV Dawn of War IV Starcraft Tabletop Miniature Game
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
G2 just beat GenG in First stand
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
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Canadian Politics Mega-thread YouTube Thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books Movie Discussion!
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story Formula 1 Discussion Cricket [SPORT]
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
[G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Sexual Health Of Gamers
TrAiDoS
lurker extra damage testi…
StaticNine
Broowar part 2
qwaykee
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1633 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
3153 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
France94 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
Chile2356 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...
ἡ τῆς Νεμέσεως τάξις
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
Replay Cast
00:00
Code For Giants Cup LATAM #6
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RuFF_SC2 241
Nina 120
StarCraft: Brood War
GuemChi 5545
Sharp 95
ggaemo 60
Nal_rA 21
Dota 2
monkeys_forever721
NeuroSwarm438
League of Legends
Doublelift3160
JimRising 631
Counter-Strike
fl0m1438
taco 856
m0e_tv438
Other Games
tarik_tv5177
C9.Mang0488
Artosis400
Maynarde201
ViBE103
Trikslyr80
Mew2King34
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1029
BasetradeTV229
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 18 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 96
• EnkiAlexander 24
• practicex 23
• CranKy Ducklings SOOP3
• sooper7s
• Migwel
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• IndyKCrew
• Kozan
• intothetv
• AfreecaTV YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
• RayReign 26
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Rush342
• Stunt246
Other Games
• Scarra1456
Upcoming Events
Escore
6h 50m
RSL Revival
13h 50m
Big Brain Bouts
13h 50m
PiG vs DeMusliM
Reynor vs Bunny
Replay Cast
20h 50m
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
1d 7h
Classic vs SHIN
MaxPax vs Percival
herO vs Clem
ByuN vs Rogue
Ladder Legends
1d 11h
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
1d 11h
BSL
1d 15h
Sparkling Tuna Cup
2 days
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
2 days
[ Show More ]
Ladder Legends
2 days
BSL
2 days
CranKy Ducklings
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Wardi Open
3 days
Afreeca Starleague
3 days
Soma vs hero
Monday Night Weeklies
3 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
Afreeca Starleague
4 days
Leta vs YSC
Replay Cast
5 days
The PondCast
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-04-22
RSL Revival: Season 4
NationLESS Cup

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
ASL Season 21
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
Escore Tournament S2: W4
StarCraft2 Community Team League 2026 Spring
WardiTV TLMC #16
Nations Cup 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S2: W5
Acropolis #4
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Maestros of the Game 2
2026 GSL S2
RSL Revival: Season 5
2026 GSL S1
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals 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.