• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 07:58
CET 13:58
KST 21:58
  • 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
RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview8RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners12
Community News
ComeBackTV's documentary on Byun's Career !8Weekly Cups (Dec 8-14): MaxPax, Clem, Cure win4Weekly Cups (Dec 1-7): Clem doubles, Solar gets over the hump1Weekly Cups (Nov 24-30): MaxPax, Clem, herO win2BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced15
StarCraft 2
General
When will we find out if there are more tournament ComeBackTV's documentary on Byun's Career ! Weekly Cups (Dec 8-14): MaxPax, Clem, Cure win RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview Weekly Cups (Dec 1-7): Clem doubles, Solar gets over the hump
Tourneys
Winter Warp Gate Amateur Showdown #1 Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament $5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship RSL Offline Finals Info - Dec 13 and 14! Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2)
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 504 Retribution Mutation # 503 Fowl Play Mutation # 502 Negative Reinforcement Mutation # 501 Price of Progress
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ How Rain Became ProGamer in Just 3 Months FlaSh on: Biggest Problem With SnOw's Playstyle screp: Command line app to parse SC rep files [BSL21] RO8 Bracket & Prediction Contest
Tourneys
Small VOD Thread 2.0 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL21] WB SEMIFINALS - Saturday 21:00 CET [BSL21] RO8 - Day 2 - Sunday 21:00 CET
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Game Theory for Starcraft Current Meta Fighting Spirit mining rates
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Mechabellum PC Games Sales Thread Path of Exile
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
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
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Survivor II: The Amazon Sengoku Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine US Politics Mega-thread The Games Industry And ATVI YouTube Thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion!
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
TL+ Announced Where to ask questions and add stream?
Blogs
The (Hidden) Drug Problem in…
TrAiDoS
I decided to write a webnov…
DjKniteX
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Thanks for the RSL
Hildegard
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 911 users

[H] Defending against 2rax play.

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
jdseemoreglass
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States3773 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-12-15 07:59:00
December 14 2010 20:32 GMT
#1
I am looking for diamond Terrans, who have plenty of experience going 2rax, to 2rax against me repeatedly. It will be good practice for both of us

I will be trying differing builds and strategies to try and defend while maintaining a solid economy. You have the option of applying whatever pressure you think will be most effective. You have the option of feigning pressure and then playing macro. I want at least some of the games to be all-in, and some of the games to be macro-oriented.

All the games will be on the map Steppes of War. This map is chosen because it is clearly the most difficult to defend for Zerg. If something works on Steppes, then we know it will work anywhere. Of course some plays will be viable on other maps that aren't viable on Steppes, however, the goal here isn't to determine how to defend on each map. I am simply trying to analyze what defenses and responses are most effective against the maximum degree of pressure.

The replays will be posted and this thread can be a place for discussion regarding the results as well as different strategies and techniques for each player to improve their play.

If you are interested in either testing or observing the games, then either post here or PM me in-game. My ID is encRoach, 415.

Note: Please don't post here criticizing the players abilities or the map chosen, etc. We are just playing some practice games, not having a theorycraft debate.

REPLAYS:
+ Show Spoiler +

lGy Series: lGy is an extremely skilled 2800+ Terran. I was determined to defend 14Hatch against his 2rax all-in, but I didn't succeed.
Results: 14 Hatch 0-6
[image loading]

[image loading]

[image loading]

bail Series
bail was not as adept as lGy at the 2rax rush... But he is excellent at following through with 1-base all ins. These games are fairly entertaining.
Results: 11Overpool 1-1, 14Hatch 2-1

[image loading]

[image loading]


Conclusions:
There are a few things I have learned in order to help defend 14 Hatch.
1) Maynard ALL your drones to the nat against 2rax play.
2) Be sure your lings and all your drones attack as a single ball. This is not necessarily to kill the opposing force, just to buy time for your spine to finish.
3) Position your lings at top of the ramp to prevent your opponent from simply running past your spine. However, there is still the slight problem of your opponent running into the ramp, preventing a surround and completely defending his marines. Maybe position them ON the ramp?
"If you want this forum to be full of half-baked philosophy discussions between pompous faggots like yourself forever, stay the course captain vanilla" - FakeSteve[TPR], 2006
flanksteak
Profile Joined September 2010
Canada246 Posts
December 14 2010 21:45 GMT
#2
Not a T player, but I hope someone takes you up on your offer. Post replays!
Debolt
Profile Joined July 2010
United States29 Posts
December 14 2010 21:52 GMT
#3
2k+ terran

how to defend 2 rax
14 hatch
delay your 3rd overlord
stall your 2nd queen
spinecrawler instantly as hatch finishes
pull all but 4 drones off the line and keep dancing back and forth with your drones/zlings until spinecrawler is done
once it's done you'll be safe for a good while, spines are amazing against marines
make sure to follow it up with a banelings nest, dont be greedy and try to go straight to mutas because that's a great way to lose if he follows it up with 4-6 rax marines scv all in (which most players do)
p.s. dont forget to keep a drone patrolling at the bottom of you ramp when you see scvs coming in case double bunker block
p.p.s. dont lose any overlords!!!
bebe01
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Korea (South)512 Posts
December 14 2010 21:58 GMT
#4
i'll help
lGy.422
Conrose
Profile Joined October 2010
437 Posts
December 14 2010 22:01 GMT
#5
On December 15 2010 06:52 Debolt wrote:
2k+ terran

how to defend 2 rax
14 hatch
delay your 3rd overlord
stall your 2nd queen
spinecrawler instantly as hatch finishes
pull all but 4 drones off the line and keep dancing back and forth with your drones/zlings until spinecrawler is done
once it's done you'll be safe for a good while, spines are amazing against marines
make sure to follow it up with a banelings nest, dont be greedy and try to go straight to mutas because that's a great way to lose if he follows it up with 4-6 rax marines scv all in (which most players do)
p.s. dont forget to keep a drone patrolling at the bottom of you ramp when you see scvs coming in case double bunker block
p.p.s. dont lose any overlords!!!


Okay, that's gonna be very helpful now ^_^. I am almost hardwired into doing 14 Hatch and trying to saturate it.
dementrio
Profile Joined November 2010
678 Posts
December 14 2010 22:05 GMT
#6
I cant wait to see how this goes. I think though that the hardest map is delta quadrant because of the open nat and except cross positions rush distances are as long or shorter than steppes. but obv steppes is fine.
Numy
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
South Africa35471 Posts
December 14 2010 22:09 GMT
#7
On December 15 2010 06:52 Debolt wrote:
2k+ terran

how to defend 2 rax
14 hatch
delay your 3rd overlord
stall your 2nd queen
spinecrawler instantly as hatch finishes
pull all but 4 drones off the line and keep dancing back and forth with your drones/zlings until spinecrawler is done
once it's done you'll be safe for a good while, spines are amazing against marines
make sure to follow it up with a banelings nest, dont be greedy and try to go straight to mutas because that's a great way to lose if he follows it up with 4-6 rax marines scv all in (which most players do)
p.s. dont forget to keep a drone patrolling at the bottom of you ramp when you see scvs coming in case double bunker block
p.p.s. dont lose any overlords!!!


I believe this thread isn't about defending 2 rax by 14 hatch. It's about trying out different builds to defend 2rax. So really this post was pointless. So is this one
iAmJeffReY
Profile Joined August 2010
United States4262 Posts
December 14 2010 22:20 GMT
#8
iamjeffrey.267

I do 2 rax open, but I don't always stick to marines, or I go heavy on marines depending on you. I like to expo and transition accordingly
2500T
Unbiased biased terran abuser Jeffrey. Sorry for the rage, friend!
jdseemoreglass
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States3773 Posts
December 15 2010 00:41 GMT
#9
Still looking for players that are available...

I played 6 games against lGy, and I lost them all going 14 Hatch 14 Pool. There was one game that finished close. We both had 5 workers afterwords, but he had mules with a CC building, so I think it was an eventual loss.

I haven't quite gotten the micro down well enough to provide a replay worth showing, but if you guys want to see some of the losses then let me know
"If you want this forum to be full of half-baked philosophy discussions between pompous faggots like yourself forever, stay the course captain vanilla" - FakeSteve[TPR], 2006
Antisocialmunky
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States5912 Posts
December 15 2010 00:43 GMT
#10
I thought this was for 11 pool, 18 hatch shenanigans.
[゚n゚] SSSSssssssSSsss ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Marine/Raven Guide:http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=163605
jdseemoreglass
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States3773 Posts
December 15 2010 00:48 GMT
#11
On December 15 2010 09:43 Antisocialmunky wrote:
I thought this was for 11 pool, 18 hatch shenanigans.


I will be testing that build too. I want to get a few best replays for each build.
"If you want this forum to be full of half-baked philosophy discussions between pompous faggots like yourself forever, stay the course captain vanilla" - FakeSteve[TPR], 2006
jdseemoreglass
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States3773 Posts
December 15 2010 03:09 GMT
#12
I'm gonna bump this one last time to try and find players...
"If you want this forum to be full of half-baked philosophy discussions between pompous faggots like yourself forever, stay the course captain vanilla" - FakeSteve[TPR], 2006
understandable
Profile Joined May 2010
Korea (South)79 Posts
December 15 2010 03:45 GMT
#13
ill play

bail.787

2300T
Logo
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States7542 Posts
December 15 2010 03:50 GMT
#14
I can't be sure but I'd venture a guess that 14 hatch (follow what the person above said, but personally I only pull drones if they pull scvs in the first push) would fair better than 11 pool / 18 hatch vs a smart player. If I were the Terran (I play zerg) I'd know the timing and delay my push until right before the expansion is finished. Without creep or a spine crawler up a push at this time seems like it would be enough to handle. So if you play around with the 11/18 build make sure you can hold stuff like that.

Make sure to post your findings though! I'm curious about it.
Logo
jdseemoreglass
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States3773 Posts
December 15 2010 07:49 GMT
#15
First few replays have been posted to the OP. Anymore players interested in testing, post ID and I will be available tomorrow.
"If you want this forum to be full of half-baked philosophy discussions between pompous faggots like yourself forever, stay the course captain vanilla" - FakeSteve[TPR], 2006
farseerdk
Profile Joined May 2010
Canada504 Posts
December 15 2010 15:46 GMT
#16
Far.257

I'm protoss but if we're just doing openings I can show 2 separate builds that can stop 2 rax play even on steppes, provided by opponent isn't foxer.
Perspective is merely an angle.
michaelhasanalias
Profile Joined May 2010
Korea (South)1231 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-12-15 16:23:21
December 15 2010 16:20 GMT
#17
Judging from the replays you posted, you are definitely a better zerg player than I am, and so I hope you take this advice well:


make a roach warren and stop trying to maintain this delusion that fast expanding is better than 1-basing in every possible situation.

I watched 3 replays and saw a lot of poor decision-making that I would never do, and I am by no means an expert player.

Slow banelings vs. stimmed marines and marauders, and forcing an expansion when you see 5-10 SCVs accompanying a rush is just really poor teching.

You force muta/bane/ling against a guy who 1-bases with predominantly marine production.


In one replay your opponent said "5/7RR crushes this" and he's absolutely right. You can 7RR at 4:45 with 15 drones and it would be a cost win every time.

Your unreasonable commitment to fast expanding, forcing ling/bling/muta and your refusal to make an extra queen for transfuse and creep spread are what doom you consistently in these games.


When I play terran, I usually stick to a lot of marine heavy aggression, and the reason it works is because many players simply fail to adapt. You tech because you feel like you should, but almost every lair/hive unit is hard countered by stimmed marines.


Again, just make a roach warren. It's completely okay to one-base. Those bunkers are by no means invincible. And ESPECIALLY if you have an expansion up, why do you need to force aggression ON what is a failed bunker push (because of the creep).




Conclusion: You're trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. You're forcing a certain tech tree and an expansion when you know exactly that your opponent is committing to 1-base play, forever giving him the army advantage. You lose consistently because of this, and instead of changing your operating condition (must maximize personal economy), you force yourself into what is really a no-win situation.

You should be aware that denying your opponent's economy is as good or better than maximizing your own economy. Start thinking by "how can I earn and maintain an economic advantage over my opponent?" The answer, believe it or not, does not always reside in fast expanding and making the smallest possible army.

P.S. - While I disagree with a lot of what you post, I appreciate the high value that such threads as these hold in this forum and community. If more people operated their threads in this way, the world would be a better place! Thanks again for all your time and effort in this and other discussion threads.
KR NsPMichael.805 | AM Michael.2640 | SEA Michael.523 | 엔에스피 New Star Players
telfire
Profile Joined May 2010
United States415 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-12-15 16:26:11
December 15 2010 16:25 GMT
#18
On December 15 2010 07:09 Numy wrote:I believe this thread isn't about defending 2 rax by 14 hatch. It's about trying out different builds to defend 2rax. So really this post was pointless. So is this one


Well, there are no other ways if the T micros correctly. And even with 14 hatch you have to micro much much better than T. But the general consensus among pros is that you simply won't have enough larva to defend unless you 14 hatch, it's a straight up build order loss.
Antisocialmunky
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States5912 Posts
December 15 2010 16:31 GMT
#19
Why do you keep doing this on Steppes?
[゚n゚] SSSSssssssSSsss ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Marine/Raven Guide:http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=163605
naveedx983
Profile Joined August 2010
United States58 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-12-15 17:57:42
December 15 2010 17:57 GMT
#20
On December 16 2010 01:31 Antisocialmunky wrote:
Why do you keep doing this on Steppes?


He says in the OP:

All the games will be on the map Steppes of War. This map is chosen because it is clearly the most difficult to defend for Zerg. If something works on Steppes, then we know it will work anywhere.


1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
SC Evo League
12:30
#18
LiquipediaDiscussion
WardiTV 2025
11:00
Playoffs
Reynor vs MaxPaxLIVE!
SHIN vs TBD
TBD vs Cure
Solar vs herO
Classic vs TBD
TBD vs Clem
WardiTV1340
ComeBackTV 1186
TaKeTV 418
IndyStarCraft 219
Rex140
CosmosSc2 53
LiquipediaDiscussion
CranKy Ducklings
10:00
Master Swan Open #99
CranKy Ducklings60
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
IndyStarCraft 219
Lowko209
Rex 140
BRAT_OK 81
CosmosSc2 53
MindelVK 21
StarCraft: Brood War
Horang2 1638
firebathero 517
Leta 443
Stork 433
EffOrt 309
Larva 214
Last 209
Zeus 200
ggaemo 111
Mong 42
[ Show more ]
zelot 24
yabsab 20
Shinee 17
Movie 17
Noble 8
SilentControl 7
Dota 2
Gorgc4882
singsing3500
XcaliburYe283
Counter-Strike
edward289
oskar179
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor207
Other Games
B2W.Neo1585
crisheroes302
Pyrionflax268
DeMusliM156
XaKoH 131
Trikslyr21
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick910
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 11
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• C_a_k_e 2277
• Gemini_19 10
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• lizZardDota278
League of Legends
• Jankos1808
Upcoming Events
Ladder Legends
6h 2m
BSL 21
7h 2m
Sziky vs Dewalt
eOnzErG vs Cross
Sparkling Tuna Cup
21h 2m
Ladder Legends
1d 4h
BSL 21
1d 7h
StRyKeR vs TBD
Bonyth vs TBD
Replay Cast
1d 20h
Wardi Open
1d 23h
Monday Night Weeklies
2 days
WardiTV Invitational
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
[ Show More ]
WardiTV Invitational
4 days
ByuN vs Solar
Clem vs Classic
Cure vs herO
Reynor vs MaxPax
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Acropolis #4 - TS3
RSL Offline Finals
Kuram Kup

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
YSL S2
BSL Season 21
Slon Tour Season 2
CSL Season 19: Qualifier 1
WardiTV 2025
META Madness #9
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22

Upcoming

CSL Season 19: Qualifier 2
CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
Big Gabe Cup #3
OSC Championship Season 13
ESL Pro League Season 23
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
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 © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.