Map Control (Protoss)

SurtiC

Canada43 Posts

May 10 2010 23:45 GMT

Hi I'm a Silver level player, and im trying to learn to play a lot better, im playing with my friend who is in plat, and i have improved in my macro game, but im always losing, he says i need better map control, however i am totally unaware of the theory behind map control and how to control the map. I think that it is a vital key to winning matches, and i would like some more experienced players to explain

thanks,

Kratisto

United States199 Posts

May 11 2010 00:33 GMT

The main manifestation of map control in SC2 is simply keeping your opponent from expanding all over the place. You should keep a couple units moving about the map scouting at all times so that you know when your opponent is expanding. If you want to be annoying, you can even put a Pylon in the place your enemy would want to build his Nexus/CC/Hatch so that he has to waste time destroying it before he can expand, alerting you to his intentions, and giving you more time to react. With Warp Gate upgrade, you can even port in a handful of units to make this even more troublesome. So now you know when your opponent is expanding and you're harassing him a bit just for fun; what's next? Expansions are typically vulnerable when they're first taken (less so for the Natural, but still), so you can easily harass his new expansion. As an added bonus, whenever your opponent expands, he's putting some resources towards a new base that he could have been using to strengthen his army (this is especially true of expansions in the early game, like Zerg Fast Expand builds). You can push out and expect to meet much less resistance in the early-, and even mid-game.

For Zerg, map control also means spreading creep everywhere, keeping overlords all over the place as scouts, and such. For Terran, certain map locations are extremely favorable for Siege Tanks. For Protoss, having a handful of proxy Pylons to use with your Warp Gates can be extremely useful. Every race should keep scouts on the map so that you don't get dropped with Medivacs or whatever, and controlling the Xel-Naga Watch Towers is always a nice bonus. Maintaining good map control also lets you expand more safely and to choice locations like the high yield minerals. If you have absolute control over the map, you're "containing" your enemy in his base.

teekesselchen

Germany886 Posts

May 11 2010 00:35 GMT

Usually a good idea to maintain map controll, when that is your biggest issue, is just to stay agressive. Hey, you're protoss, go 5 gate and push every terran down, he won't get out of his base for certain

Map controll for a macro game, well I'ld choose observers then although I'm not a protoss. Make sure you constantly check the expansions close to his mainbase and controll other expansion possibilities from time to time.
You will need one or two anyways mostly. Other builds like 5 gate or fast Voidrays are agressive enough to keep an eye in your opponents base.

Morayfire73

United States298 Posts

May 11 2010 00:52 GMT

well as toss, dark templars work great for denying expansions. You can also gain a lot of map control with a robo bay build by having observers all over the map to know where the opponent is expanding and when they are moving out, and when you need to be aggressive.

Thats just my opinion but do whatever you feel works best.

threehundred

Canada911 Posts

May 11 2010 01:09 GMT

If your opponent can expand freely without much threat of harassment he is considered to have 'map control'. Like if you get sealed in your base with siege tanks and bunkers, you can't do much to punish your opponent from taking expansions without dealing with your 'contain' as well.

KnightOfNi

United States1508 Posts

May 11 2010 01:11 GMT

On May 11 2010 09:52 Morayfire73 wrote:
well as toss, dark templars work great for denying expansions. You can also gain a lot of map control with a robo bay build by having observers all over the map to know where the opponent is expanding and when they are moving out, and when you need to be aggressive.

Thats just my opinion but do whatever you feel works best.

Robo builds are great except against terran you need that robo to be constantly making collossi... which means no obs for you. (well you get 1 early)

DamageInq

United States283 Posts

May 11 2010 12:18 GMT

I think PvZ is the most difficult matchup for gaining map control.

Pylons - Having a pylon in 2-3 possible expansion areas is very effective, especially against Zerg players. You deny the expo until he gets units there. If he sends only 3-4 lings to take out your pylon just warp in a zealot. If he proceeds to bring a large portion of his army to far from his main, take advantage of that time to poke at another exp or his main. Possibly a drop or some sort of harrass.

Probes - Send a probe to patrol between other possible areas just to be safe. Often times Zerg players will grab an expansion on the opposite end of the map.

Phoenixes - Zergs have overlords and creep to make sure they have vision all over the map. Phoenixes push overlords back into the safety of his base, allowing you to deny his ability to generate creep. This allows the Phoenix to roam around giving you the map control.

Observers - Vision is the most important part of map control. Obs can scout around with little risk. They also uncover creep tumors, helping deny Zerg map control.

Please or register to reply.

Map Control (Protoss)

Completed

Ongoing

Upcoming