• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 15:31
CEST 21:31
KST 04:31
  • 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
Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO4 & Finals Preview4[ASL21] Ro4 Preview: On Course12Code S Season 1 - RO8 Preview7[ASL21] Ro8 Preview Pt2: Progenitors8Code S Season 1 - RO12 Group A: Rogue, Percival, Solar, Zoun13
Community News
Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO8 Results2Weekly Cups (May 4-10): Clem, MaxPax, herO win1Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !11Weekly Cups (April 27-May 4): Clem takes triple0RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event12
StarCraft 2
General
Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - The Finalists Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO4 & Finals Preview Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO8 Results Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO12 Results MaNa leaves Team Liquid
Tourneys
GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament KSL Week 89 2026 GSL Season 2 Qualifiers Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players
External Content
Mutation # 526 Rubber and Glue Mutation # 525 Wheel of Misfortune The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 524 Death and Taxes
Brood War
General
Data needed BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ vespene.gg — BW replays in browser Pros React to: TvT Masterclass in FlaSh vs Light BW General Discussion
Tourneys
[ASL21] Semifinals B [BSL22] RO8 Bracket Stage + Another TieBreaker [ASL21] Ro8 Day 4 Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2
Strategy
Muta micro map competition Fighting Spirit mining rates [G] Hydra ZvZ: An Introduction Simple Questions, Simple Answers
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Path of Exile Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Starcraft Tabletop Miniature Game
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming
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
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread YouTube Thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread UK Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
streaming software Strange computer issues (software) [G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How EEG Data Can Predict Gam…
TrAiDoS
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1532 users

[R]Dark templars, Viable in PvP?

Forum Index > Closed
Post a Reply
Normal
Excludos
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Norway8257 Posts
October 05 2010 09:58 GMT
#1
Since most PvP strats seems to focus around "If I get collosus first, you lose", I have been fiddling around with alternative strategies that does not rely on cheese. Facts:

1. Most Protoss in PvP will only make 1, or skip the observer entirely, unless given a good reason to have more.
2. Blink stalkers can snipe down enemy observers incredibly easily
3. If the enemy doesn't get robotics facility, you can end up instant winning.

So far I have had limited success with this. First off, you can easily end up in a situation where he has such a large army that even without observers, he can quickly kill off your army, run past the DTs and kill all your probes before the DTs can finish them off.

Getting Blink stalkers, observers and dark templars from one base is practically impossible because of the amount of gas needed. And holding an expo in PvP is hard enough without trying to tech at the same time.

Have anyone had any success with dark templar abuse in PvP? Which build order did you use?
sleepingdog
Profile Joined August 2008
Austria6145 Posts
October 05 2010 10:26 GMT
#2
I've never lost to DTs - I always get an early observer, if I don't see robo I keep my observer near my army and make a go with the first colossus while producing a second observer rallied to my mineral-line

you can get DTs in time, but you won't get an observer for observer-sniping (or if you mix it up, you just won't have DTs in time); you end up dead either way
"You see....YOU SEE..." © 2010 Sen
whiteguycash
Profile Joined April 2010
United States476 Posts
October 05 2010 10:32 GMT
#3
I have never gone DT in PvP, mainly because, as the game stands, PvP is very bland in that you can either 4gate, or 3gate robo, or you will get rolled over. In my experience, the first to 4-6 colossi wins. if a game went into late game, dts would certainly be a viability for harassing and stopping mining, but, seeing as the natural progression of PvP as it is currently, I doubt you would find many serious opponents without a robotics.
GoooN
Profile Joined August 2010
217 Posts
October 05 2010 10:45 GMT
#4
You risk either being steamrolled by 4 gate, getting spotted and crushed by colossi, even void rays could own you because of your lack of gas to spent on stalkers.
risk.nuke
Profile Joined May 2010
Sweden2825 Posts
October 05 2010 10:56 GMT
#5
It's all about your ability to hide your tech, if its undiscovered your opponent is in a hell of alot of trouble and you got a really good chance for victory. If it's discovered its pretty much over.
Neo.G Soulkey, Best, firebathero. // http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/index.php?show_part=31
Kelorienne
Profile Joined July 2010
United States50 Posts
October 05 2010 11:24 GMT
#6
Good strategies don't revolve around sneaky tactics.
Pls PM me if you want me to read something, I rarely check topics for replys
kheldorin
Profile Joined April 2010
Singapore539 Posts
October 05 2010 11:41 GMT
#7
Well in my experience vs ard 1000 diamond protoss, it is viable on long rush distance maps. I do it all the time since colossus vs colossus is so boring. You will have to do crisis management vs 4 gate but once you survive it and deny them detection, you will be ahead. Even if they take the robo route and have an observer out, that observer will probably be in your base. So you have to hit them before they realise what's happening and bring that observer back to their own base. You have to hit them hard enough that their colossus production is extremely delayed. And they will obviously build 2 observers, 1 for their base and 1 to follow their army so that will delay colossus even more. While they're recovering from the DTs and building up their colossus army, you should have expanded and have a much larger army. You should at the most let them get up to 3 colossus before you attack them. Your blink stalkers can easily snipe the colossus while your zealots clean up their zealots.
Achilles
Profile Joined August 2010
Canada385 Posts
October 05 2010 11:43 GMT
#8
On October 05 2010 20:24 Kelorienne wrote:
Good strategies don't revolve around sneaky tactics.


Clearly revolve around button mashing better than your opponent.
[rS]Gluske // http://www.rsgaming.com // Troku[tC]
sleepingdog
Profile Joined August 2008
Austria6145 Posts
October 05 2010 12:02 GMT
#9
On October 05 2010 20:41 kheldorin wrote:
even if they take the robo route and have an observer out, that observer will probably be in your base.


I don't wanna downplay you, but wtf what players do you play against who leave their observer in your base when they scout a dark shrine???

normally when I scout a dark shrine already done (!) I immediately move my observer back and start producing a 2nd one; the first one stays with my army, the 2nd one protects my ramp; then I'm good to go and normally outright win because gateway + even one colossus > anything you can have because of the amount of gas invested in DTs
"You see....YOU SEE..." © 2010 Sen
Wayem
Profile Joined May 2010
France455 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-10-05 12:04:55
October 05 2010 12:02 GMT
#10
On October 05 2010 20:43 Achilles wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 05 2010 20:24 Kelorienne wrote:
Good strategies don't revolve around sneaky tactics.


Clearly revolve around button mashing better than your opponent.


You clearly don't understand the game. Having a good strategy is different from "button mashing better than your opponent".

Sneaky tactics can be a good addition to the gameplay but basing everything around them is the worst thing to do (that's what bronze players do).
"who needs micro when you can have more stuff ?" -day9
Achilles
Profile Joined August 2010
Canada385 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-10-05 12:13:44
October 05 2010 12:12 GMT
#11
On October 05 2010 21:02 Wayem wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 05 2010 20:43 Achilles wrote:
On October 05 2010 20:24 Kelorienne wrote:
Good strategies don't revolve around sneaky tactics.


Clearly revolve around button mashing better than your opponent.


You clearly don't understand the game. Having a good strategy is different from "button mashing better than your opponent".

Sneaky tactics can be a good addition to the gameplay but basing everything around them is the worst thing to do (that's what bronze players do).


I didn't say they weren't. Don't be so hostile. I meant it's pretty pathetic to tell somebody trying to learn that something is useless because you only assume he lacks the basics.
[rS]Gluske // http://www.rsgaming.com // Troku[tC]
Chronicle
Profile Joined September 2010
161 Posts
October 05 2010 12:15 GMT
#12
I find they are viable when non rushed. Snipe the detection and pull back letting them run a riot. I would not depend on them to win me the game, but I would use them to turn the tide.
Liquid'Tyler is short for Liquid'Tylenol
Liveon
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Netherlands1083 Posts
October 05 2010 12:24 GMT
#13
I haven't seen anyone here talking about the cannons. They're detectors and most of the time I put one near my probes to stop very small harasses. So I don't think DT's are very useful in pvp.
Hearthstone manager ECVisualize, Head Admin DSCL
amaGAWD
Profile Joined August 2010
Germany41 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-10-05 12:52:36
October 05 2010 12:51 GMT
#14
On October 05 2010 19:45 GoooN wrote:
You risk either being steamrolled by 4 gate, getting spotted and crushed by colossi, even void rays could own you because of your lack of gas to spent on stalkers.


4gate = no detection -> dts are awesome, also its possible to "hold"

void rays = no detection -> dts are awesome.

if opponent got a robo its indeed crap to go dts


On October 05 2010 21:24 Liveon wrote:
I haven't seen anyone here talking about the cannons. They're detectors and most of the time I put one near my probes to stop very small harasses. So I don't think DT's are very useful in pvp.


then you can kill army/important pylons easy/contain till observer is out(several mins imho) and expand
Shadrak
Profile Joined August 2010
United States490 Posts
October 05 2010 13:16 GMT
#15
In my experience, planning to go DT from the start is dangerous. However, if you notice that your opponent isn't going robo because they are planning either 4 gate pressure or fast void rays DTs can be devestating. I've won a few mirror matches flat out with them. Start attacking at their main and take out a robo fact as they try to build it.

They aren't useful often, but when the right timing is there they can win it for you.
GreEny K
Profile Joined February 2008
Germany7312 Posts
October 05 2010 13:21 GMT
#16
On October 05 2010 20:43 Achilles wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 05 2010 20:24 Kelorienne wrote:
Good strategies don't revolve around sneaky tactics.


Clearly revolve around button mashing better than your opponent.


They revolve around being able to win with solid play. I go DT, he stops it... What now? You're screwed. Gotta have strats that don't give you an auto-loss if it doesn't work.

BW Example: DT expo, rush to DT's, expo and get cannons while storm is researching. If your DT's fail you still have an expansion up and cannons with storm backing them up. Solid strat.
Why would you ever choose failure, when success is an option.
Roaming
Profile Joined May 2010
United States239 Posts
October 05 2010 16:47 GMT
#17
DT rush isnt the best idea in PvP because protoss typically get obs. You can't killl other obs without obs. Even against people who dont scout it, once you do anything with the DT, if they have a robo your DTs become worthless within a minute.

DT's are effective... but not against a player with mobile cloacked detectors already up..
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
f0rgiv3n
Profile Joined January 2008
United States112 Posts
October 05 2010 16:54 GMT
#18
I am a mid diamond player and have done DT "rushes" MANY times and have yet to lose actually LOL. It comes down to the timing is just PERFECT. I will go 3gate proxy pylon DT. So I will have a smaller army at home and with the extra minerals I build a forge and a couple cannons behind my wgate wall. This is able to fend off their push. The three dt's warp in by their base JUST as they are about to move out or JUST as their obs is starting to morph in. If you are lucky (which I have been so far) you can get into their base and "snipe" the robo b4 the obs finishes.


It is a definite exploit to the common PvP build orders. I have seen lots of 4gates in my PvP's and that's why I decided to go for dt's in the first place. It definitely works if you don't do "all in"
yarkO
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
Canada810 Posts
October 05 2010 16:56 GMT
#19
On October 05 2010 21:15 Chronicle wrote:
I find they are viable when non rushed. Snipe the detection and pull back letting them run a riot. I would not depend on them to win me the game, but I would use them to turn the tide.


I'd like to 2nd this post, and add that a Warp Prism makes these guys a lot more effective. When you 'rush' them, you are open a lot of garbage, but if you just make them as part of the game, they can be devilishly good.


And just because they have a Robotics and an Obs with their army doesn't mean your DTs are hooped. Here's a fun fact:

-2 DTs kill a Robotics faster than an Obs can come out. 3 of them beat Chrono Boost every time. Something to keep in mind.

When you are prepared, there's no such thing as pressure.
Rakanishu2
Profile Joined May 2009
United States475 Posts
October 05 2010 17:06 GMT
#20
If you're rushing DTs Im going to see you have no expo, and if you wall me out of a scout Im just gonna get a forge to counter both VRs and DTs (cannons), and expo myself.

and LOL at PvP being a colossus race, 4 gate blink stalkers/zeal legs massacres 2gate colossus, as long as you don't wait a year to push (blink-snipe his 1-2 colos, gg).
10 G's in the packet and I'm ready to roll, on fire like a rocket and I'm ready to blow
Thurokiir
Profile Joined June 2010
United States779 Posts
October 05 2010 17:07 GMT
#21
Dark shrine rushed is a coin flip against three techs, though its more like 75% against you on the coin flip. That said. Are you joking DT's are bawllin 60 damage per swipe upgraded, the ability to force food on observers and force your opponent in combat to focus fire them while you have something like colossus or immortals or other tech units to just reave your opponents is just invaluable.

As for countering colossus tech, I'd personally just go meat shield against them and have my DT's close with them quickly. I just like them because they force focus firing, and really benefit from high micromanagement in combat scenarios.

And if you're going DT's against an early robo you'll have a wave of DT's the same time your opponent is getting his first colossus, which is slow. While your dt's are not there MIGHT be a timing push there where colossus are just not viable in low numbers compared to the DT's high...

brb testing.
Tahts halo dont worry
bbq ftw
Profile Joined September 2010
United States139 Posts
October 05 2010 17:15 GMT
#22
On October 05 2010 21:02 Wayem wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 05 2010 20:43 Achilles wrote:
On October 05 2010 20:24 Kelorienne wrote:
Good strategies don't revolve around sneaky tactics.


Clearly revolve around button mashing better than your opponent.


You clearly don't understand the game. Having a good strategy is different from "button mashing better than your opponent".

Sneaky tactics can be a good addition to the gameplay but basing everything around them is the worst thing to do (that's what bronze players do).

Yes, because no BW pro ever abused dark templar on a massive scale in every matchup. Different game, I know, but its not like there's no place for sneaky strategies in SC2.

Every time you place marines to kill overlords coming into your base, every time you chase a scout, every time you place a building somewhat away from your main/nat, you do that precisely to misdirect your opponent. Also known as: sneaky play.

(Hint: its much more constructive to criticize the technical viability of the strategy than to spout your own version of ~internet spacegame honour~)
CTStalker
Profile Blog Joined November 2004
Canada9720 Posts
October 05 2010 17:17 GMT
#23
There have been several threads on DTs in PvP: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/search.php?q=pvp dt&t=t&f=34&u=&gb=date , and this one isn't really adding anything new to those discussions.

If you have questions about specific games, you can make a thread with replays.
By the way, my name is Funk. I am not of your world
Normal
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
BSL
19:00
RO8 - Day 2
OyAji vs JDConan
DragOn vs TBD
LiquipediaDiscussion
IPSL
16:00
Ro16 Group B
Bonyth vs Napoleon
G5 vs JDConan
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 456
Railgan 117
BRAT_OK 79
StarCraft: Brood War
ZZZero.O 276
firebathero 212
Dewaltoss 116
Aegong 44
Shine 10
Dota 2
monkeys_forever328
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu377
MindelVK19
Other Games
Grubby23672
Liquid`RaSZi2081
singsing1881
FrodaN1296
Beastyqt1053
B2W.Neo709
KnowMe252
Pyrionflax179
Hui .175
Livibee73
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1146
StarCraft 2
ComeBackTV 393
angryscii 164
Other Games
BasetradeTV29
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• HeavenSC 25
• Reevou 8
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Other Games
• imaqtpie1798
• WagamamaTV313
• Shiphtur286
Upcoming Events
OSC
4h 29m
Replay Cast
13h 29m
Monday Night Weeklies
20h 29m
Replay Cast
1d 4h
The PondCast
1d 14h
Kung Fu Cup
1d 15h
GSL
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
GSL
3 days
WardiTV Spring Champion…
3 days
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
WardiTV Spring Champion…
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
RSL Revival
5 days
Classic vs SHIN
Rogue vs Bunny
BSL
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Afreeca Starleague
6 days
RSL Revival
6 days
BSL
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Escore Tournament S2: W7
WardiTV TLMC #16
Nations Cup 2026

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
ASL Season 21
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
Acropolis #4
KK 2v2 League Season 1
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
SCTL 2026 Spring
RSL Revival: Season 5
Heroes Pulsing #1
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 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

Upcoming

YSL S3
Escore Tournament S2: W8
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Maestros of the Game 2
WardiTV Spring 2026
2026 GSL S2
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 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.