• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 15:05
CEST 21:05
KST 04:05
  • 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
[ASL22] Finals Preview: Sweet Victory!9[ASL22] Ro4 Preview: Mirror Mirror6[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: Within Reach5[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: In A Tizzy11[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Holy Diver5
Community News
ISSL (IntoTheTV x SOOP SC2 League): Premier2Weekly Cups (October 12-18): 5.0.17 era begins1[$1250] International ShieldBattery League49Weekly Cups (October 5-11): Farewell to 5.0.164Rollback Netcode in Brood War144
StarCraft 2
General
How do you feel about the mass reverts in the 5.0.17 PTR? No more SC2 streamers on team liquid? Weekly Cups (October 12-18): 5.0.17 era begins Server Blocker SCII needs to put more weight on strategy and tact
Tourneys
WORTEX Challenger Series — Open SC2 LAN in Budapes RSL goes to London! 2026 Offline Finals Nov 21-22 Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Stellar Fest TWO the Moon (Dec 16-20) Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2)
Strategy
[H] ZvP Mid-Late Game: Stalkers Collossi HT
Custom Maps
[G] How to playtest arcade maps [A] Nemrods 1/4 players [M] (2) Sweltering Sands [M] (2) Frigid Storage
External Content
Mutation # 548 Shining Bright The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 547 Temple Of Terror Mutation # 546 Catch the Train
Brood War
General
BW General Discussion Do we even care about balance? SCHNAIL now supports Remastered SOOP Announces New Women's Monthly Tournament Mineral gathering rate (boosted) for each patch
Tourneys
[ASL22] Grand Finals [$1250] International ShieldBattery League [Women's StarCraft] Tier 8 CK 2026-10-20 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Cliff Jump Revisited (1 in a 1000 strategy) Simple Questions, Simple Answers Replay Review Process - What do you do?
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Armies of Exigo - YesYes? Dawn of War IV Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
Dota 2
Dota 2 Champions League Season 3 Begins April 25!
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread The Chess Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Artificial Intelligence Thread
Fan Clubs
Serral Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece
Sports
TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023 Football (Soccer) Thread
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
How Much Genes Contribute to…
TrAiDoS
ShieldBattery on Mac
Kraekkling
[ASL22] Ro4 Day1 Ticket Giv…
bITt.mAN
38 yo Retired SWE loo…
PurE)Rabbit-SF
Can Bots Beat Pros?? Starcr…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 11506 users

Bracketting in TvP

Forum Index > Closed
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 Next All
GaryBrackett
Profile Joined December 2010
Bulgaria106 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-06 16:08:24
April 06 2011 12:22 GMT
#1
Introduction

Hi GaryBrackett here and i would like to share with my fellow TLers the secret to Bracketting in the TvP matchup.

Summary

The idea of this build is to combat any form of Gateway or Fast Expand build used by the Protoss using heavy bio play with SCV's. Smaller maps or rush distances make Bracketting more effective. Bracketting is not a tactic that one employs from the start rather it is something that you decide to use based on intel from your scouts.

Initial Build

10 Depot
12 Rax
(Marine then Tech Lab)
(Marauder + Concussive Shells)
13 Gas
15 Rax

Follow Up
On scouting the Protoss base and noticing a Fast Expand you should add an Expansion of your own and encourage the Protoss to scout this. Stim should be researched as soon as possible as well as the construction of additional Barracks should be considered. 1 Vespene Geyser should be sufficient.

General Tactic

The heavy bio army you are building of Marines and Marauders should be used to poke and antagonize the weary Protoss beast. After your second Orbital is complete pull 90% of your SCV's and assault the Protoss base. Be very careful in the engagement you take. Sentry's can spell the death of Bracketting if used appropriately. Keep alot of pressure on and don't overstim. The MM ball with SCV protection should be easily able to take out the Protoss Expansion and Gateway Army with appropriate micro. MULES can be used back home to guarantee a flow of Bio to reinforce your weary boys. Once you have taken out the Protoss expansion and forced a contain you can either poke up the ramp or start production of SCV's again and transition. (The latter is advised) Bracketting will have allowed you to have a substantial lead over the Protoss

Notes

Bracketting will only work on maps where the Natural is open (Metalopolis) and not on maps where the Natural has little access (Shakuras Plateau)
Knowing when to Stim is key for Bracketting.
The idea of the push is to hit before Colossi or Forge Upgrades start to come into effect.

Micro

Marines at the back with Marauders in front.
Try to stim only a few units at a time and preferably the units at the back.
Spread out the units so as to reduce the effectiveness of forcefields and zealots (will be slowed)
Use the SCV carefully, more as a kinda shield and overwhelming factor, setting them on the stalkers/sentries.
SCV's can also be used to put up a Bunker

Tactic dedicated to MouzStrelok 'The Warship'

Liquid_Brackett
Synystyr
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States1446 Posts
April 06 2011 12:34 GMT
#2
How is this different from any other Concussive Shell rush? It's always been known that this is a solid opener to play against a 1 Gate FE or anything faster. Also, the Concussive Shell upgrade starts before you even have a chance to scout an expansion, so you are going in blind unless you scouted a 15 Nexus. This loses

How is this original and justifies having your name used to classify this opener? Where are your replays to support your build?
Sky Terran TvP V2.0: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=355839
Yans
Profile Joined April 2011
United Kingdom12 Posts
April 06 2011 12:38 GMT
#3
Seems plausible. I'm gonna try this in my next ladder game thx a lot mate, needed a new tvp build.

Regards, Yans.
ThorZaIN | Tyler | Ret
GaryBrackett
Profile Joined December 2010
Bulgaria106 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-06 12:43:05
April 06 2011 12:40 GMT
#4
Concussive Shell is 50/50 and may be cancelled if you so wish. I see no problem with starting the upgrade blind.
The difference between the Openings is that this employs SCV's to guarantee the destruction of the expansion and the mind games of the expansion should butter up the Protoss for the hot knife (your bio units). The 2 orbitals should allow you to excel after the Expansions death.

Liquid_Brackett
stilez
Profile Joined November 2010
Mexico130 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-06 12:50:44
April 06 2011 12:48 GMT
#5
I prefer to Bukkake in TvP.
What are your thoughts on this?

Sincerely

Liquid_Faggett

User was temp banned for this post.
statikg
Profile Joined May 2010
Canada930 Posts
April 06 2011 12:59 GMT
#6
I can see this working effectively with good hold micro on the scvs, I am skeptical of whether it would actually result in an even trade, if they also use hold micro on their zealots you could easily lose all your scvs in return for some of their units and a nexus, I'm not sure that you could catch up.
loklok
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany161 Posts
April 06 2011 13:08 GMT
#7
This won't work against 3 gate sentry/zeal/stalker expands, robo openings (obs), stargate openings, 2 gate stalker heavy openings. Tested high-mid master.

3 Gate expand: Ends up with ~ 6 Sentries ~ 4 Zeals ~ 3 Stalker. Depends on attack timing it can be more. With 12 forcefields i can hold even on wide open naturals and some probes will help if i made mistakes at planting FFs.

Robo: 1 Gate 1 Robo 1 Gate. Observer will scout your one base play -> colossus tech on 1 base and its over.

Stargate: You can't really leave your base alone and P has full scouting information and knows when you want to attack (Nexus cancel or stay 1 base)

2 Gate stalker : full map control with 6 stalker, good pressure and kiting options. Will be probably bit complicated with FFs because P will have less sentries compared to 3 gate expand but stalker heavy -> ffs are more effective because you can split scvs and some MM from the rest without receiving high dmg (stalker heavy instead zeal heavy, range vs melee).

I think it's difficult to cursh P if the micro is at the same level
GinDo
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
3327 Posts
April 06 2011 13:14 GMT
#8
Just 2 rax before orbital. The pull SCVs. Its faster and thus more effective rush.

Marines > Zeals
SCVs > Stalkers

By the time your attack comes he has a sentry and thus you lose.
+ Show Spoiler +
Lol at people that keep naming stuff after themselves.The best is when they name unit rush builds after themselves. Unless its completly game changing you don't really get that privalage imo. Bisu Build,Manoring Workers. Heck even note that the Flash Build is more commonly called the Double Armory.
ⱩŦ ƑⱠẬ$Ħ / ƩǤ ɈƩẬƉØƝǤ [ɌȻ] / ȊṂ.ṂṼⱣ / ẬȻƩɌ.ȊƝƝØṼẬŦȊØƝ / ẬȻƩɌ.ϟȻẬɌⱠƩŦŦ ϟⱠẬɎƩɌϟ ȻⱠẬƝ
GaryBrackett
Profile Joined December 2010
Bulgaria106 Posts
April 06 2011 13:17 GMT
#9
On April 06 2011 22:08 loklok wrote:
This won't work against 3 gate sentry/zeal/stalker expands, robo openings (obs), stargate openings, 2 gate stalker heavy openings. Tested high-mid master.

3 Gate expand: Ends up with ~ 6 Sentries ~ 4 Zeals ~ 3 Stalker. Depends on attack timing it can be more. With 12 forcefields i can hold even on wide open naturals and some probes will help if i made mistakes at planting FFs.

Robo: 1 Gate 1 Robo 1 Gate. Observer will scout your one base play -> colossus tech on 1 base and its over.

Stargate: You can't really leave your base alone and P has full scouting information and knows when you want to attack (Nexus cancel or stay 1 base)

2 Gate stalker : full map control with 6 stalker, good pressure and kiting options. Will be probably bit complicated with FFs because P will have less sentries compared to 3 gate expand but stalker heavy -> ffs are more effective because you can split scvs and some MM from the rest without receiving high dmg (stalker heavy instead zeal heavy, range vs melee).

I think it's difficult to cursh P if the micro is at the same level


Idea is this build is only used against very early expansions.
Phisk
Profile Joined June 2010
166 Posts
April 06 2011 13:17 GMT
#10
On April 06 2011 21:40 GaryBrackett wrote:
The difference between the Openings is that this employs SCV's to guarantee the destruction of the expansion and the mind games of the expansion should butter up the Protoss for the hot knife (your bio units). The 2 orbitals should allow you to excel after the Expansions death.


Well MM+SCV all-ins have been around forever, can't really see how this is very different from already acknowledged strats.

You definitely need to include some replays as well, otherwise it's hard to legitimize a strat.
GaryBrackett
Profile Joined December 2010
Bulgaria106 Posts
April 06 2011 13:17 GMT
#11
On April 06 2011 22:14 GinDo wrote:
Just 2 rax before orbital. The pull SCVs. Its faster and thus more effective rush.

Marines > Zeals
SCVs > Stalkers

By the time your attack comes he has a sentry and thus you lose.
+ Show Spoiler +
Lol at people that keep naming stuff after themselves.The best is when they name unit rush builds after themselves. Unless its completly game changing you don't really get that privalage imo. Bisu Build,Manoring Workers. Heck even note that the Flash Build is more commonly called the Double Armory.

This isn't designed to kill the Main if you read the article, its designed to destroy the expansion and put the Protoss behind.
moridincuh
Profile Joined April 2011
3 Posts
April 06 2011 13:18 GMT
#12
Sincerely
Liquid_Faggett


I lol'ed irl

User was warned for this post
loklok
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany161 Posts
April 06 2011 13:25 GMT
#13
On April 06 2011 22:17 GaryBrackett wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 06 2011 22:08 loklok wrote:
This won't work against 3 gate sentry/zeal/stalker expands, robo openings (obs), stargate openings, 2 gate stalker heavy openings. Tested high-mid master.

3 Gate expand: Ends up with ~ 6 Sentries ~ 4 Zeals ~ 3 Stalker. Depends on attack timing it can be more. With 12 forcefields i can hold even on wide open naturals and some probes will help if i made mistakes at planting FFs.

Robo: 1 Gate 1 Robo 1 Gate. Observer will scout your one base play -> colossus tech on 1 base and its over.

Stargate: You can't really leave your base alone and P has full scouting information and knows when you want to attack (Nexus cancel or stay 1 base)

2 Gate stalker : full map control with 6 stalker, good pressure and kiting options. Will be probably bit complicated with FFs because P will have less sentries compared to 3 gate expand but stalker heavy -> ffs are more effective because you can split scvs and some MM from the rest without receiving high dmg (stalker heavy instead zeal heavy, range vs melee).

I think it's difficult to cursh P if the micro is at the same level


Idea is this build is only used against very early expansions.


First Nexus or Gateway Nexus in PvT is very risky and can be punished without pulling SVCs. Probably on tournament level where the player know eachother will play such risky style. But even then, the timing will be a bit late. Nobody drones hard on 2 base if he doesn't know what his oponent want to do. So the P would invest 400 minerals and go back to gateway heavy style. The 400 minerals advantage won't be a big deal because T has to travel and that is mining time.
GinDo
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
3327 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-06 13:50:50
April 06 2011 13:44 GMT
#14
On April 06 2011 22:17 GaryBrackett wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 06 2011 22:14 GinDo wrote:
Just 2 rax before orbital. The pull SCVs. Its faster and thus more effective rush.

Marines > Zeals
SCVs > Stalkers

By the time your attack comes he has a sentry and thus you lose.
+ Show Spoiler +
Lol at people that keep naming stuff after themselves.The best is when they name unit rush builds after themselves. Unless its completly game changing you don't really get that privalage imo. Bisu Build,Manoring Workers. Heck even note that the Flash Build is more commonly called the Double Armory.

This isn't designed to kill the Main if you read the article, its designed to destroy the expansion and put the Protoss behind.


Pulling SCVs to punish an expo is stupid. He loses 400mins. You lose over 400mins in mining time.

And if MC vs MKP on Metal taught us anything+ Show Spoiler +
Toss can Nexus 1st lose an Expo and still effectivly 4 gate
ⱩŦ ƑⱠẬ$Ħ / ƩǤ ɈƩẬƉØƝǤ [ɌȻ] / ȊṂ.ṂṼⱣ / ẬȻƩɌ.ȊƝƝØṼẬŦȊØƝ / ẬȻƩɌ.ϟȻẬɌⱠƩŦŦ ϟⱠẬɎƩɌϟ ȻⱠẬƝ
SoftSoap
Profile Joined November 2010
United States170 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-06 13:48:12
April 06 2011 13:46 GMT
#15
Seems like a BITBYBITPRIME!!!@#!@#@#!@#. Jk lolz

Anyways, can you please post replays? It would help more a more in depth analysis. For my points of view right now, it seems your depending on a early expansion. As scouting isn't to informational unless you see two gases. Protoss don't reveal their tech until they kill the scouting scv. So a 1 basing protoss would forcefield the ramp a number of times and significantly delay your "Bracketing"

Tasteless, "IdrA always pulls out on time."
Vlare
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
748 Posts
April 06 2011 13:52 GMT
#16
On April 06 2011 21:48 stilez wrote:
I prefer to Bukkake in TvP.
What are your thoughts on this?

Sincerely

Liquid_Faggett

User was temp banned for this post.


This is one of the funnier things I've read on these forums in a while. Hahaha.

Ontopic : Sounds like you're doing an all in and then stopping it. 90% of the time the protoss will leave if you kill his fe, so I don't really comprehend what you're trying to do with this build. It's more of an all in than anything and is taking advantage of the broken mechanic that is mules :\

I don't see this being at all viable at higher levels of play.
Mass zerglings doesnt fail
Nakki
Profile Joined April 2011
4 Posts
April 06 2011 14:05 GMT
#17
Tried this in plat league, got matched up against a mid-diamond protoss and it worked wonders. He rage quit.
Pokebunny
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States10654 Posts
April 06 2011 14:07 GMT
#18
So you're basically teaching people how to beat bad protosses that try to fast expand?

I don't know why you need a guide to the tactic of pulling all your scvs after a standard opening.
Semipro Terran player | Pokebunny#1710 | twitter.com/Pokebunny | twitch.tv/Pokebunny | facebook.com/PokebunnySC
GinDo
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
3327 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-06 14:11:47
April 06 2011 14:11 GMT
#19
On April 06 2011 23:05 Nakki wrote:
Tried this in plat league, got matched up against a mid-diamond protoss and it worked wonders. He rage quit.


Heres the problem. People symply try these tactics that simply aren't viable, play against some noob players and the make theads on it. Any competent Toss will defend this, and if they can't becaseu they went robo rather then more gates will sack their Nexus and simply FF their ramp. Effectivly puting themselves behind 400 minerals and you +400minerals in lost mining time and Tech. Not to mention the probable risk that you will lose alot of workers.
ⱩŦ ƑⱠẬ$Ħ / ƩǤ ɈƩẬƉØƝǤ [ɌȻ] / ȊṂ.ṂṼⱣ / ẬȻƩɌ.ȊƝƝØṼẬŦȊØƝ / ẬȻƩɌ.ϟȻẬɌⱠƩŦŦ ϟⱠẬɎƩɌϟ ȻⱠẬƝ
Scrubington
Profile Joined June 2010
Canada475 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-06 14:23:10
April 06 2011 14:11 GMT
#20
On April 06 2011 23:07 Pokebunny wrote:
So you're basically teaching people how to beat bad protosses that try to fast expand?

I don't know why you need a guide to the tactic of pulling all your scvs after a standard opening.


Exactly, if platinum-diamond players that lack the micro in order to pull off a one gate fast expand decide to one gate fast expand, chances are you've already won the game without "pulling 90% of your workers".

EDIT: You say in the OP not to do this on easy to expand maps like Shakuras Plateau... But then you say this build is designed to counter fast expand builds. Isn't that just a little bit contradictory?
1 2 3 4 5 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
IntoTheTV X SOOP
01:00
Replay Cast Group A
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 575
UpATreeSC 100
BRAT_OK 60
JuggernautJason38
MindelVK 29
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 657
Dewaltoss 153
ProTech145
Mind 98
Zeus 56
Dota 2
qojqva2063
Counter-Strike
fl0m1505
pashabiceps1463
Fnx 493
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu377
Trikslyr92
Other Games
Grubby3983
FrodaN923
Beastyqt781
B2W.Neo433
C9.Mang0171
Pyrionflax139
QueenE46
Railgan2
Organizations
Other Games
WardiTV292
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hinosc 30
• Reevou 1
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• 80smullet 12
• ChaeLyn 7
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Nemesis3082
Other Games
• imaqtpie1079
• Shiphtur663
• WagamamaTV353
Upcoming Events
PiGosaur Cup
5h 25m
The PondCast
14h 55m
Kung Fu Cup
15h 55m
IntoTheTV X SOOP
1d 15h
Reynor vs Zoun
Neeb vs Rogue
FEL
3 days
Patches Events
3 days
FEL
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
WardiTV Weekly
5 days
[ Show More ]
IntoTheTV X SOOP
6 days
ByuN vs Lambo
MaxPax vs Bunny
Liquipedia Results

Completed

ASL Season 22
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
HCC Season 3

Ongoing

Acropolis #5
IPSL Winter 2026-27
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 4
Acropolis #5 - GSC
1win Private Club #2
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #1
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026

Upcoming

BSL Season 23
SC4ALL II: Brood War
BSL 23: Non-Korean Championship
HSC XXX
Stellar Fest 2: Lunar Cup
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
eXTREMESLAND 2026
PGL Major Singapore 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 6
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
IEM Beijing 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 5
PGL Masters Bucharest 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.