Reaper rush - how to defend?

MegaManX

Serbia38 Posts

September 01 2010 22:07 GMT

I've dealt with reaper rushes before, but usually when the first reaper comes i have 2 marines, so i can handle him somehow. But then i got beaten this way (link for replay):

http://www.sc2replayed.com/replays/69858-1v1-terran-xelnaga-caverns#rd:dna

After the game I watched the replay, but still couldnt figure out how to defend this. I am a gold level player, so perhaps someone with more experience has dealt with this situation before.

tetramaster

Canada253 Posts

September 01 2010 22:36 GMT

First; after you let his bunker go down, it was over. Pull your SCVs from mining and focus down the bunker, with 1-2 scvs chasing his scv down.

Generally speaking, if you're playing terran vs terran, don't wall off and keep your stuff close to your base in case of early cheese like this. The further away your stuff is from your command center, the harder it will be to defend.

Darthturtle

United States718 Posts

September 01 2010 22:39 GMT

Well, you did see low scv numbers, no barracks, and three on gas. Obviously that's a proxy reaper rush. There's a couple different ways to hold against this, from the standard, to the unorthodox.

But first, let's talk about the things you fucked up on. Your scouting SCV didn't pass either watchtower. If you hit the right tower, it wouldn't have seen a thing, but at least you tried. If you passed the left one, you would have seen his proxy immediately.

You gassed on 14 instead of 13 because you queued up a probe unnecessarily.

Your scouting SCV should also look around the back of his mineral line too, in case he built something there.

Your marine took about nine seconds to start after your barracks completed. Not good in any circumstance.

Now, the standard counter would just involve good micro, blocking his reaper from getting in the bunker, or sniping the scv building the bunker. Maybe throw down a defensive bunker yourself. But remember your advantages. You have WAY more SCVs than him at this point. Don't just sit there and take it.

Although it's slightly time consuming, you can in fact float your CC to your nat. Build a bunker there preemptively so you can stop reaper harass cold, or just get a marauder. Proceed to ride your 7 SCV advantage for the win.

You can also counter immediately. Bunker rush him right back.You'll both wind up floating your CCs, but you've got the better worker count. Remember, he's all-in at this point. Even if you go all-in too, it's not like you're putting yourself behind, technically.

Whatever you do, the last thing you want is to just give up. If he rushes you and you have no idea how to hold it, it's time to get creative, and try some bullshit. If it works, it makes for a great rep, at any rate.

Amprophet

93 Posts

September 01 2010 22:45 GMT

Macro up and get marauders. They eat reapers for breakfast as long as reapers aren't in a bunker (hint - don't let bunker go up).

He has no units in his base. After you secure your mineral line, do an MM push.

dim2thesum

United States65 Posts

September 01 2010 22:49 GMT

i would hotkey scvs in the beginning just in case

noD

2230 Posts

September 01 2010 22:51 GMT

first error u didnt scout a rax by yer side
second one u didnt lift off and load the command center
third u didnt cancel build anything (like other rax or bunker) to try to halve damage ...
edit: saw the replay again u DID scout 6 scv one gas and still didnt do anything about it ....

Hynda

Sweden2226 Posts

September 02 2010 00:04 GMT

Kill the scv making the bunker. That's it pretty much it. You attacked the bunker instead of the SCV.

Amprophet

93 Posts

September 02 2010 00:09 GMT

It's not necessary to lift vs. reaper rush. Just never let his bunker go up near your mineral line and get marauders.

NYghost

66 Posts

September 02 2010 00:12 GMT

make 1 marauder....scout your base...dont let the bunker go down...I dont even make more than 1 marine to shoo away their scout