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[Q] PvT Late Game Tech question (Carrier/Arbiter)

Forum Index > Brood War Strategy
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1 2 Next All
4AiUR
Profile Joined February 2008
3 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-03-25 23:30:41
March 25 2008 23:26 GMT
#1
Hi everyone! Im an usual TL forum reader and I wanted to ask for help to everyone. I've been taking seriously gaming since 4 months and I want to improve as much as I can.

Well, my question is:


When's the perfect moment to decide teching Carrier or Arbiter against Normal Terran siege-mine slow push?

Watching reps i cant find the "rules" of this, since every match is different and there are differents situations ofc.

My "fear" is that since i dont know the "timing" issue of this im usually raped when they scan my tech and they make the push more agressive.

SO theres two situations that make me fail almost everytime in serious matches.

1) I tech too late. For some reason i havent denied the expo that i had to or whatever and im outmacroed pretty hard.

2) I dont tech. So some matches i win them. Using normal push zeal-goon-templar-shuttle and micro-macro (But i dont know the timing of this either, so its a bit luck if I win).

And maybe 60% of the matches i lose them with this 2) since mine+tank with upgrades in some maps and in some moments is really hard for me to break his barrier, even if i micro ass hell reaver harass or DT.


I got a lot of things to work in, but this is an important one for me atm.

Thanks to everyone!

Sorry if my english sucks, im learning it in an academy.

il0seonpurpose
Profile Blog Joined January 2007
Korea (South)5638 Posts
March 26 2008 01:11 GMT
#2
You want to tech up when your expos are running smoothly, and you have 200/200. You can't spend money on units, so thats when you should build 1-2 stargates and then depending on what you're going, arbiters or carriers, you make a fleet beacon and/or a tribunal.
IntoTheWow
Profile Blog Joined May 2004
is awesome32274 Posts
March 26 2008 01:41 GMT
#3
Arbiters against carriers is more of a map thing imo.

On maps with lots of cliffs, narrow chokes and things like that you should get carriers. Cliffs allows for carrier abuse against goliaths, chokes make the goliath walk difficult against moving carriers). Chokes also help the terran in ground vs ground fights. Maps that follow this criteria are R-Point and Katrina for example.

On maps with wide middle you usually go Arbiters. In open areas goliaths kills carriers easier (at least in a even skill level). Maps like RoV have wide places. With arbiters you can abuse the open terrain with ground flanks, stasis the tanks (the ones in the back ALWAYS). Or just recall his main if he decides to move out.
Moderator<:3-/-<
LeLe
Profile Joined March 2008
8 Posts
March 26 2008 01:56 GMT
#4
sometimes i would go with a fast arbiter with stasis, since the tech is very fast once u get the templar archives up, then just continue with stargate and arbiter..
Everybody wanna body build, but dont nobody wanna lift no heavy ass weights...
Aux1
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States780 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-03-26 05:25:27
March 26 2008 05:00 GMT
#5
On March 26 2008 10:11 il0seonpurpose wrote:
You want to tech up when your expos are running smoothly, and you have 200/200. You can't spend money on units, so thats when you should build 1-2 stargates and then depending on what you're going, arbiters or carriers, you make a fleet beacon and/or a tribunal.

umm if both youand terran have 200/200 and you have no arbiter or carrier tech, chances are you'll get raped pretty badly unless you get off amazing storms, if your on three or four bases i think the standard is to tech up at least after you stop the terrans first push, unless you're trying to rush arb or carrier

edit: the breaking the push guideline doesnt apply when terran just crawls to a third and turtles until a max
KwarK
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States42602 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-03-26 06:52:52
March 26 2008 06:49 GMT
#6
I actually think this is extremely dependent on game flow, image and threat. You need to get into their head. If they are going to mass up for a while it is perfectly fine to rush to carriers, leaving yourself open provided you cover youself by hiding tech and retaining an offensive image by things like mine clearing . However if they are aware of your unit count and pushing you then long term priorities like carriers are obviously unimportant. I'd not recommend expanding as you go carriers (unless to an island) because it forces them to do one of two things, take another exp or kill yours, both of which involve them exerting map control. So basically you want to avoid forcing them to march into the middle of the map when your money is tied up in carrier tech. If you are given absolutely no slack during the mid game then you cannot go carrier and should reserve it as a sudden tech change viable immediately after the first 200/200 battle leaves psi free.
Also I think carrier should often be used as a transitionary tech, into a late game ground + arbiter based build which absolutely destroys goliathtank builds. Unless the map allows for horrific carrier abuse (read peaks) I often prefer 5 or so carriers into arbiter play. Firstly, they over goliath allowing your main army to destroy them (goons being far more effective vs goliaths than vultures). Secondly 5 carriers is a highly mobile and very considerable force on it's own, allowing heavy support of your main army, harass of expansions and sniping units. It very much cuts down on T mobility and is extremely useful for prepping the ground for recall. Thirdly, the direct counters of carriers, 3-3 goliaths and wraiths, are actually good at what they do so carriers lose their effectiveness over time.
Making 5-6 carriers and actively trying not to lose them, but rather use them for contain, harass and to force T to goliath while transitioning into a goon heavy, storm heavy late game army with arbiter support is a favourite imo.
ModeratorThe angels have the phone box
Response
Profile Blog Joined April 2004
United States1936 Posts
March 26 2008 15:05 GMT
#7
On March 26 2008 15:49 Kwark wrote:
I actually think this is extremely dependent on game flow, image and threat. You need to get into their head. If they are going to mass up for a while it is perfectly fine to rush to carriers, leaving yourself open provided you cover youself by hiding tech and retaining an offensive image by things like mine clearing . However if they are aware of your unit count and pushing you then long term priorities like carriers are obviously unimportant. I'd not recommend expanding as you go carriers (unless to an island) because it forces them to do one of two things, take another exp or kill yours, both of which involve them exerting map control. So basically you want to avoid forcing them to march into the middle of the map when your money is tied up in carrier tech. If you are given absolutely no slack during the mid game then you cannot go carrier and should reserve it as a sudden tech change viable immediately after the first 200/200 battle leaves psi free.
Also I think carrier should often be used as a transitionary tech, into a late game ground + arbiter based build which absolutely destroys goliathtank builds. Unless the map allows for horrific carrier abuse (read peaks) I often prefer 5 or so carriers into arbiter play. Firstly, they over goliath allowing your main army to destroy them (goons being far more effective vs goliaths than vultures). Secondly 5 carriers is a highly mobile and very considerable force on it's own, allowing heavy support of your main army, harass of expansions and sniping units. It very much cuts down on T mobility and is extremely useful for prepping the ground for recall. Thirdly, the direct counters of carriers, 3-3 goliaths and wraiths, are actually good at what they do so carriers lose their effectiveness over time.
Making 5-6 carriers and actively trying not to lose them, but rather use them for contain, harass and to force T to goliath while transitioning into a goon heavy, storm heavy late game army with arbiter support is a favourite imo.



goonz are in no way shape or form more effective against goliaths than vultures. but its better for them to be wasting gas on goliaths rather than on tanks that ARE much more effective against goonz that is all
the REAL ReSpOnSe
DamageControL
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States4222 Posts
March 26 2008 19:55 GMT
#8
On March 27 2008 00:05 GoSuPlAyEr wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 26 2008 15:49 Kwark wrote:
I actually think this is extremely dependent on game flow, image and threat. You need to get into their head. If they are going to mass up for a while it is perfectly fine to rush to carriers, leaving yourself open provided you cover youself by hiding tech and retaining an offensive image by things like mine clearing . However if they are aware of your unit count and pushing you then long term priorities like carriers are obviously unimportant. I'd not recommend expanding as you go carriers (unless to an island) because it forces them to do one of two things, take another exp or kill yours, both of which involve them exerting map control. So basically you want to avoid forcing them to march into the middle of the map when your money is tied up in carrier tech. If you are given absolutely no slack during the mid game then you cannot go carrier and should reserve it as a sudden tech change viable immediately after the first 200/200 battle leaves psi free.
Also I think carrier should often be used as a transitionary tech, into a late game ground + arbiter based build which absolutely destroys goliathtank builds. Unless the map allows for horrific carrier abuse (read peaks) I often prefer 5 or so carriers into arbiter play. Firstly, they over goliath allowing your main army to destroy them (goons being far more effective vs goliaths than vultures). Secondly 5 carriers is a highly mobile and very considerable force on it's own, allowing heavy support of your main army, harass of expansions and sniping units. It very much cuts down on T mobility and is extremely useful for prepping the ground for recall. Thirdly, the direct counters of carriers, 3-3 goliaths and wraiths, are actually good at what they do so carriers lose their effectiveness over time.
Making 5-6 carriers and actively trying not to lose them, but rather use them for contain, harass and to force T to goliath while transitioning into a goon heavy, storm heavy late game army with arbiter support is a favourite imo.



goonz are in no way shape or form more effective against goliaths than vultures. but its better for them to be wasting gas on goliaths rather than on tanks that ARE much more effective against goonz that is all

no mines to plow through right? I mean the vultures themselves are weaker but the mines make the goons stall.
Liquid | SKT
GeneralStan
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
United States4789 Posts
March 26 2008 20:00 GMT
#9
Storm + Carrier I think is always a viable option. Goliath Micro against carriers is difficult. Massing many goliaths is the best way to fight carriers, which makes them very vulnerable to Psi Storm.

This however, only applies to Open maps, since absuing the terrain won't well allow you to birng Templar along with your Carriers. You could use a Shuttle, but that's very micro intensive.

On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if Carrier + Shuttle w/HT becomes the next link the professional Katrina metagame, using Psi Storm to counter Hold Position Goliath micro.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
zachmorris
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States106 Posts
March 26 2008 23:51 GMT
#10
Just for fun I actually have tried several times getting mind control and one dark archon towards mid to end game. I do this after I get arbiters. At this point using observers efficiently you can sneak in an ninja steal an scv where the terran does not have any turrets. I had a game where this happened and I was completely outplayed and run over, but because I had a shit ton of tanks secretly building I was able to hold him off and eventually win do to a few well placed recalls. I mostly just play for fun though. =]
I hate zach morris
zachmorris
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States106 Posts
March 27 2008 02:23 GMT
#11
using the da in a shuttle of course
I hate zach morris
YinYang69
Profile Joined July 2007
United States255 Posts
March 27 2008 02:35 GMT
#12
On March 27 2008 08:51 zachmorris wrote:
Just for fun I actually have tried several times getting mind control and one dark archon towards mid to end game. I do this after I get arbiters. At this point using observers efficiently you can sneak in an ninja steal an scv where the terran does not have any turrets. I had a game where this happened and I was completely outplayed and run over, but because I had a shit ton of tanks secretly building I was able to hold him off and eventually win do to a few well placed recalls. I mostly just play for fun though. =]


Holy hell. Why have I never though of this? Can I emp your dark archon before he controls my scv? But than you'll use feedback. God damn so pro.
Keep it simple stupid.
zachmorris
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States106 Posts
March 27 2008 02:53 GMT
#13
well most times when terran begins to push is when I fly in with a shuttle to wherever their fourth expansion will usually be. There is usually one or two scvs beginning to build a cc so I just steal that one. I usually get storm first and then arbiters also, but its the best way to use mind control. Godspeed my protoss brothers!
I hate zach morris
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24673 Posts
March 27 2008 03:23 GMT
#14
On March 27 2008 11:53 zachmorris wrote:
well most times when terran begins to push is when I fly in with a shuttle to wherever their fourth expansion will usually be. There is usually one or two scvs beginning to build a cc so I just steal that one. I usually get storm first and then arbiters also, but its the best way to use mind control. Godspeed my protoss brothers!

If you are able to do this I'm sure you are able to win straight up.
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
zachmorris
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States106 Posts
March 27 2008 04:06 GMT
#15
Yeah it has worked most times. I have a rep of me doing it.
I hate zach morris
zachmorris
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States106 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-03-27 04:21:42
March 27 2008 04:09 GMT
#16
http://download.yousendit.com/2782614C2AB4D993. If anyone is interested here a pimpest play of me pulling this build off. I actually got raped micro wise this game, but see for yourself. I'm 40hands by the way.
I hate zach morris
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24673 Posts
March 27 2008 04:20 GMT
#17
On March 27 2008 13:09 zachmorris wrote:
I won't be on again till later tomorrow, but I don't know how to post replays. Can someone explain this?

Can you stop double posting needlessly?

Anyway, one way to post replays is to post them to www.battlereports.com but do so sparingly.
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
zachmorris
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States106 Posts
March 27 2008 04:22 GMT
#18
sure after this one I'm done. =]
I hate zach morris
dybydx
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
Canada1764 Posts
March 27 2008 07:08 GMT
#19
ok dat SCV steal shit is just there for the cuteness factor. who teh fuck is gonna do that in a real game unless your FBH playing protoss or something.
...from the land of imba
LastWish
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
2013 Posts
March 27 2008 08:05 GMT
#20
The limitations are minerals and gas.
While carrier tech is mostly limited on minerals, arbiter tech is dependant on gas.

Most of the protoss fighting force is made of minerals(Zealots&Dragoons).

So in a balanced game you'll mostly without a risk can go arbiters because you won't be sacrificing anything.

Now the thing with carriers is you eigher have to risk(cut down on ground units), or have a good defensive map position(higher ground with shuttles/storm...) or have a ton off expands so you'll have a good mineral surplus.
In a balanced situation what usually happens is toss gets on defensive for a short time after switching to carrier tech and terran goes expand-frenzy, because you'll lack mobile ground force.
So if you have like 1/2 map taken it is much safer because you won't get overexpanded easily.
- It's all just treason - They bring me down with their lies - Don't know the reason - My life is fire and ice -
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