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[D] tvz - viability of 3 port banshee

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
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Quotidian
Profile Joined August 2010
Norway1937 Posts
January 08 2011 15:13 GMT
#1
I've been doing a 3 port banshee build for a week or so and I don't think I've lost with it once. Even if it's scouted, it doesn't seem to matter. But I'm thinking that might be because of the level of players I've been facing, which seems to range from gold to diamond. So I'm a bit worried that the build isn't as strong as it feels like right now.

The basics of it is a 2 barracks/bunker wall-off that seems to hold off baneling busts pretty well, then take both geysers. Eventually build up to 3 starports and start taking map control and attacking with the first banshee. There's no reason to get cloak...

The build holds off mutas pretty well, because of all the marines that are continously being made... and banelings are pretty much nullified - so at least the platinum level meta game is countered.

But the build is probably very weak to infestors, even though I've never seen anyone make them, and it's difficult to get a reasonably timed expansion off of it.

Dunno.. thoughts? Ways to tighten it up?

Replays:

http://www.sc2replayed.com/replays/125604-1v1-terran-zerg-metalopolis
http://www.sc2replayed.com/replays/125606-1v1-terran-zerg-xelnaga-caverns
http://www.sc2replayed.com/replays/125605-1v1-terran-zerg-metalopolis (lol @ 5 min singleplayer at the end)
Sadistx
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Zimbabwe5568 Posts
January 08 2011 15:16 GMT
#2
Don't build a 3rd starport. Expand earlier.



User was warned for this post
Firesemi
Profile Joined February 2010
Australia87 Posts
January 08 2011 15:23 GMT
#3
If the zerg send in an OL between 6-7 minutes like he should he'll see the starport, this should trigger an extra two queens and creep between bases. He'll then either add some spores (which yes are horrible but help fill in some holes) and then tech to a hydra based ground army or more likely mutas.

The first couple of banshees arrive and are decimated by the queens (if not decimated driven off easily) which triggers a round of drones.

The zerg is then very much ahead and can get out 10 mutalisks which will dance around the terran base keeping the marines at home while they expand again. The marines will be scouted by the mutas and if there isn't a bane nest down already (which there probably will be) then one will be thrown down for when/if the mutas are killed and the terran can move out.

Personally i love banshee openings if i get the OL scout off and see the star port because i feel really ahead when they come and are driven off straight away. However with out scouting i'm in agreement that this build will do some serious damage.

Marines should not be able to hold off mutas as mutas attack where marines aren't and then turrets are forced putting the econ behind a bit more.

Infestors don't work because they are sniped so damn easy by banshees.
Hile
NormandyBoy
Profile Joined May 2010
France200 Posts
January 08 2011 15:31 GMT
#4
On January 09 2011 00:16 Sadistx wrote:
Don't build a 3rd starport. Expand earlier.


This is bullshit.
Just build a 4th starport and your strat will be perfect !
If you don't have the gas, try open double gas after depot, it's much more fun than the lame 12 rax
If you don't win with your first attack, you may want to build a 5th and 6th starport. THIS will win you games.
Quotidian
Profile Joined August 2010
Norway1937 Posts
January 08 2011 17:02 GMT
#5
On January 09 2011 00:23 Firesemi wrote:
If the zerg send in an OL between 6-7 minutes like he should he'll see the starport, this should trigger an extra two queens and creep between bases. He'll then either add some spores (which yes are horrible but help fill in some holes) and then tech to a hydra based ground army or more likely mutas.

The first couple of banshees arrive and are decimated by the queens (if not decimated driven off easily) which triggers a round of drones.

The zerg is then very much ahead and can get out 10 mutalisks which will dance around the terran base keeping the marines at home while they expand again. The marines will be scouted by the mutas and if there isn't a bane nest down already (which there probably will be) then one will be thrown down for when/if the mutas are killed and the terran can move out.

Personally i love banshee openings if i get the OL scout off and see the star port because i feel really ahead when they come and are driven off straight away. However with out scouting i'm in agreement that this build will do some serious damage.

Marines should not be able to hold off mutas as mutas attack where marines aren't and then turrets are forced putting the econ behind a bit more.

Infestors don't work because they are sniped so damn easy by banshees.



The scenario you describe hasn't happened to me yet.. I'm pretty sure I was scouted around that timing in the first replay. It's like I really don't care if they scout me or not. I could even build a starport at the wall in, if it wasn't for banelings.

If anything, I'm glad if the zerg is spending drones on spore crawlers. And 1 banshee with another two comming to reinforce pretty quickly easily deals with two queens. One reason I'm not sure that cutting a starport would be good here, is that you basically win by overpowering them with banshees. I'm not sure just two ports make banshees quick enough for this to happen before they're able to tech too high.

Hydras are good at defending, but it allows me to start getting tanks and expand and get ravens, because they won't be at my base any time soon.

If they're going heavy muta, I just take all my marines and attack along with the banshees. They'll have to defend with the mutas if they want to surive, and the marines take them out easily enough (again, 1st replay) If they're just making a few mutas, since I typically haven't expanded at that point, the marines are able to cover my base just fine.

I'm positive the build has some huge weaknesses, but more queens, spore crawlers and mutas sure ain't it. And hydras just seems to be a small setback that I can techswitch to counter.
Saechiis
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Netherlands4989 Posts
January 08 2011 17:28 GMT
#6
You can't support more than 2 Starports off 1 base if you constantly build out of them. Also, your build is really all-in, all Zerg has to do is make sufficient queens and tech to mutalisks.
I think esports is pretty nice.
ibreakurface
Profile Joined June 2010
United States664 Posts
January 08 2011 17:37 GMT
#7
Banshees are gimmicky so making them the backbone of your army makes a weak army.
:) I play zerg. FOX AND KT ROLSTER COASTER FAN! Because I love everyone. Except bisu.
Quotidian
Profile Joined August 2010
Norway1937 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-08 18:46:35
January 08 2011 18:45 GMT
#8
I just lost with the build.. he went queens into infestors, which seems like the propper response to it.

http://www.sc2replayed.com/replays/125659-1v1-terran-zerg-xelnaga-caverns

It felt like I could've done better, I probably was too indecisive and made a lot of mistakes... viking/banshee/raven as a midgame comp seems interesting to me though.

iAmJeffReY
Profile Joined August 2010
United States4262 Posts
January 08 2011 18:54 GMT
#9
Wow. Ya, they'll get 2-3 queens more, spread creep, throw down a few spore crawlers to give detection, and go to mutas as normal.

They scout 3 port, I'm sure you'll face 5-7 queens at a given time. With their AA range, and extra mana around, this won't work without cloak + vikings to snipe a overseer, at best.

3 port is a no go. Make it 2, if you must, and expo and transition into something else. You have no anti muta, which will spell your ultimate demise.
Unbiased biased terran abuser Jeffrey. Sorry for the rage, friend!
Figgy20000
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada28 Posts
January 08 2011 19:01 GMT
#10
You cannot support 3 Starports off 2 bases, you simply won't have the gas for it or even the minerals if you are building marines.

The most starports you should ever have is 2 off one base. Work on your macro and learn to be constantly building units and you'll see you won't have an issue without that 3rd one.

Otherwise, Banshees are gimmicky against Zerg. If they scout it they will have enough queens to hold you off, and mutas are good against any terran set-up and they hard counter uncloaked banshees hard.

I'm sure your build works in lower leagues but when you get to mid-high diamond you'll only win with that build when they are vastly unprepared for it (which will be rare). That strat isn't a strat you want to make the backbone of your learning experience, it's something you use 1 in 100 games when you feel like cheesing someone and pray they don't see it.
Quotidian
Profile Joined August 2010
Norway1937 Posts
January 08 2011 19:02 GMT
#11
yeah, it's the transfuse that saves zerg here, it seems.. I guess the people I was facing before just weren't using it.

blah, I'll try it some more, flying banshees around is fun ^^
hizBALLIN
Profile Joined June 2010
United States163 Posts
January 08 2011 19:53 GMT
#12
On January 09 2011 00:31 NormandyBoy wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 09 2011 00:16 Sadistx wrote:
Don't build a 3rd starport. Expand earlier.


This is bullshit.
Just build a 4th starport and your strat will be perfect !
If you don't have the gas, try open double gas after depot, it's much more fun than the lame 12 rax
If you don't win with your first attack, you may want to build a 5th and 6th starport. THIS will win you games.



Some part of this is becoming my new signature.

The problem with any sort of banshee build is that a competent zerg WILL steal your gas. This will prevent you from getting cloak which is really the only way mass banshee builds have any future beyond the initial push barring some glaring mistakes made by your opponent.
That which is overdesigned, too highly specific, anticipates outcomes; the anticipation of outcome guarantees, if not failure, the absence of grace.
Figgy20000
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada28 Posts
January 08 2011 22:21 GMT
#13
On January 09 2011 04:53 hizBALLIN wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 09 2011 00:31 NormandyBoy wrote:
On January 09 2011 00:16 Sadistx wrote:
Don't build a 3rd starport. Expand earlier.


This is bullshit.
Just build a 4th starport and your strat will be perfect !
If you don't have the gas, try open double gas after depot, it's much more fun than the lame 12 rax
If you don't win with your first attack, you may want to build a 5th and 6th starport. THIS will win you games.



Some part of this is becoming my new signature.

The problem with any sort of banshee build is that a competent zerg WILL steal your gas. This will prevent you from getting cloak which is really the only way mass banshee builds have any future beyond the initial push barring some glaring mistakes made by your opponent.


Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? No, not even close dude. Who steals gas anymore it isn't that common especially with all the 2 rax play going out you only gas steal if your drone can't make it out alive for the most part.
Griffith`
Profile Joined September 2010
714 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-08 22:48:33
January 08 2011 22:27 GMT
#14
If you are playing it off 1 base you wont' have the gas sustain 3 port banshee

3 port banshee requires 300gas/min, 1 bases mine about 225 gas/min. There's no point to it. **thanks asm for pointing it out --- getting too tired
griffith.583 (NA)
Antisocialmunky
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States5912 Posts
January 08 2011 22:31 GMT
#15
On January 09 2011 07:27 Griffith` wrote:
If you are playing it off 1 base you wont' have the gas sustain 3 port banshee

3 port banshee requires 300gas/min, 2 bases mine about 225 gas/min. There's no point to it.


You mean, 1 base mines about 240/min. My guess is he's talking about quick double gas to build up gas.
[゚n゚] SSSSssssssSSsss ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Marine/Raven Guide:http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=163605
kNightLite
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States408 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-08 23:49:23
January 08 2011 23:47 GMT
#16
On January 09 2011 00:13 Quotidian wrote:
The basics of it is a 2 barracks/bunker wall-off that seems to hold off baneling busts pretty well, then take both geysers. Eventually build up to 3 starports and start taking map control and attacking with the first banshee. There's no reason to get cloak...

Just a silver Terran here...but I'd definitely recommend getting cloak if your first push bounces. Forcing overseers is a big gas drain on Zerg, which is a perfect way to lower the muta count. Chances are if you get cloak (200/200) they'll get at least two overseers (100/200), so up front its an even trade. However, you get to keep your cloak tech for the entire game, while the Zerg needs to remake their overseers if they lose them. It's pretty easy to snipe overseers with stimmed marines too...and I don't think I've ever seen a Zerg get air armor upgrades.
hizBALLIN
Profile Joined June 2010
United States163 Posts
January 09 2011 07:09 GMT
#17
On January 09 2011 07:21 Figgy20000 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 09 2011 04:53 hizBALLIN wrote:
On January 09 2011 00:31 NormandyBoy wrote:
On January 09 2011 00:16 Sadistx wrote:
Don't build a 3rd starport. Expand earlier.


This is bullshit.
Just build a 4th starport and your strat will be perfect !
If you don't have the gas, try open double gas after depot, it's much more fun than the lame 12 rax
If you don't win with your first attack, you may want to build a 5th and 6th starport. THIS will win you games.



Some part of this is becoming my new signature.

The problem with any sort of banshee build is that a competent zerg WILL steal your gas. This will prevent you from getting cloak which is really the only way mass banshee builds have any future beyond the initial push barring some glaring mistakes made by your opponent.


Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? No, not even close dude. Who steals gas anymore it isn't that common especially with all the 2 rax play going out you only gas steal if your drone can't make it out alive for the most part.


Machine, Catz, Ret, and a lot of high-end players (including my favourite, Destiny) steal gas. Most coaches advocate it as well for the simple reason that spending a drone limits his options down the line considerably for just 75 minerals. If the guy doesn't kill the extractor fairly quickly you know he's either doing some low/no-gas build or FEing, which gives you info.

Can you name me any progamers who've gone on the record to say that stealing gas shouldn't be done? Because otherwise, for all I know, you're some Pewter League scrub advocating a really poor tactical decision.
That which is overdesigned, too highly specific, anticipates outcomes; the anticipation of outcome guarantees, if not failure, the absence of grace.
heyyouyesyou
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
United States323 Posts
January 09 2011 07:23 GMT
#18
3port banshee probably wont work just because of the gas cost.
Off one base with 2 refineries you can only get about 200 gas which can make 2 banshees.
biomech!
thoradycus
Profile Joined August 2010
Malaysia3262 Posts
January 09 2011 07:55 GMT
#19
Off 1 base u cld only barely support 2 sports..
Quotidian
Profile Joined August 2010
Norway1937 Posts
January 09 2011 11:56 GMT
#20
the 3rd port helps when you have sloppy macro though.. but yeah, it's been stated several times already that you can only support 2 ports with good macro.
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