• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 16:56
CET 22:56
KST 06:56
  • 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
ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT24Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book16Clem wins HomeStory Cup 289HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview13Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info8
Community News
Weekly Cups (Feb 9-15): herO doubles up2ACS replaced by "ASL Season Open" - Starts 21/0226LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals (Feb 10-16)46Weekly Cups (Feb 2-8): Classic, Solar, MaxPax win2Nexon's StarCraft game could be FPS, led by UMS maker16
StarCraft 2
General
ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT Kaelaris on the futue of SC2 and much more... How do you think the 5.0.15 balance patch (Oct 2025) for StarCraft II has affected the game? Nexon's StarCraft game could be FPS, led by UMS maker Weekly Cups (Feb 9-15): herO doubles up
Tourneys
PIG STY FESTIVAL 7.0! (19 Feb - 1 Mar) How do the "codes" work in GSL? Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals (Feb 10-16) Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2)
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ? [A] Starcraft Sound Mod
External Content
Mutation # 513 Attrition Warfare The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 512 Overclocked Mutation # 511 Temple of Rebirth
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ ACS replaced by "ASL Season Open" - Starts 21/02 [ASL21] Potential Map Candidates Tik Tok Parody about starcraft Ladder maps - how we can make blizz update them?
Tourneys
Small VOD Thread 2.0 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 1 KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Fighting Spirit mining rates Zealot bombing is no longer popular? Current Meta
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread ZeroSpace Megathread Path of Exile Diablo 2 thread Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread
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
TL Mafia Community Thread Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Ask and answer stupid questions here! Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion TL MMA Pick'em Pool 2013
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Inside the Communication of …
TrAiDoS
My 2025 Magic: The Gathering…
DARKING
Life Update and thoughts.
FuDDx
How do archons sleep?
8882
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2221 users

[D] PvZ oGsMC's FFE into Void Rays - Page 2

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
Post a Reply
Prev 1 2 3 4 Next All
theMarkovian
Profile Joined June 2010
Netherlands183 Posts
June 07 2011 05:58 GMT
#21
If Zerg doesn't take a fast third, he will either Roach/Ling you (in which case you need to get more Voidrays instead of Pheonix) or tech to Lair and Hydra/Ling bust your front and/or drop your base. In the Hydra case, you need to stop air production asap and slam down a lot more gateways.
Hit me up ingame! ID: Markovian.126; Diamond@EU
KingofGods
Profile Joined July 2010
Canada1218 Posts
June 07 2011 06:06 GMT
#22
On June 07 2011 13:33 Oreo7 wrote:
I have no idea how MC pulls this off, everytime I open star and zerg isn't roach linging me I'm behind. I feel like it's better to play a ground protoss army, whether that means extra cannons or dts.


If he isn't roach/linging you then just get robo facility and bay before extra gateways.
b_unnies
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
3579 Posts
June 07 2011 06:46 GMT
#23
Double Nexus build into stargate play has been the top 3 most common PvZ builds for months now. Most players uses double stargate(which is usually built at or around 6:30) pumping phoenix for map control, scouting, and harassing. Usually players only uses 1 void ray since void ray doesnt give the map control and scouting that phoenix does, nor does it give the harassing power that phoenix does. The void is only used to attempt to kill zerg's 3rd while they're still weak on anti-air defenses
ScythedBlade
Profile Joined May 2010
308 Posts
June 07 2011 07:07 GMT
#24
On June 07 2011 15:46 b_unnies wrote:
Double Nexus build into stargate play has been the top 3 most common PvZ builds for months now. Most players uses double stargate(which is usually built at or around 6:30) pumping phoenix for map control, scouting, and harassing. Usually players only uses 1 void ray since void ray doesnt give the map control and scouting that phoenix does, nor does it give the harassing power that phoenix does. The void is only used to attempt to kill zerg's 3rd while they're still weak on anti-air defenses


Void is also there for anti roach-zergling all-in cheese. Thats the MAIN reason you build a stargate WHENEVER you double expo. It's a full must. However, after that, you must be wary of nydus AND drops. To counter this, if you don't see a zerg third, don't even bother going for robo tech or even build more voids or phoenixes. Cut probes, build gateways, start going crazy on gateway units with chronoboost. Put forcefields under overlords so they can't drop as fast and defend it.

If you defend it, feel free to take a third and aggravate the zerg a little, and then build up to a higher lead.
b_unnies
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
3579 Posts
June 07 2011 07:47 GMT
#25
On June 07 2011 16:07 ScythedBlade wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 07 2011 15:46 b_unnies wrote:
Double Nexus build into stargate play has been the top 3 most common PvZ builds for months now. Most players uses double stargate(which is usually built at or around 6:30) pumping phoenix for map control, scouting, and harassing. Usually players only uses 1 void ray since void ray doesnt give the map control and scouting that phoenix does, nor does it give the harassing power that phoenix does. The void is only used to attempt to kill zerg's 3rd while they're still weak on anti-air defenses


Void is also there for anti roach-zergling all-in cheese. Thats the MAIN reason you build a stargate WHENEVER you double expo. It's a full must. However, after that, you must be wary of nydus AND drops. To counter this, if you don't see a zerg third, don't even bother going for robo tech or even build more voids or phoenixes. Cut probes, build gateways, start going crazy on gateway units with chronoboost. Put forcefields under overlords so they can't drop as fast and defend it.

If you defend it, feel free to take a third and aggravate the zerg a little, and then build up to a higher lead.


your wall is the main reason that stops a roach/ling attack, all void does is supplement your defense. and no, the main reason for building stargate is contain zerg and hold off their economy
Shooks
Profile Joined January 2011
Australia256 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-07 08:02:22
June 07 2011 07:51 GMT
#26
I'm 50/50 about SG play tbh, it's become so standard in the matchup that good Zerg's will just make drones and defend with static defenses, and you're definitely right about a 2 base push after seeing this, because if you don't you just get overrun, The problem with this is that Zerg can definitely hold off any kind of 2 base if they're prepared for it. And I don't really know why people are calling this the future lol, this SG play has been pretty much standard in PvZ after an FE for like 5 months.

So yeah, honestly I don't like the build and I don't use it often unless I smell a cheese.

On June 07 2011 16:47 b_unnies wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 07 2011 16:07 ScythedBlade wrote:
On June 07 2011 15:46 b_unnies wrote:
Double Nexus build into stargate play has been the top 3 most common PvZ builds for months now. Most players uses double stargate(which is usually built at or around 6:30) pumping phoenix for map control, scouting, and harassing. Usually players only uses 1 void ray since void ray doesnt give the map control and scouting that phoenix does, nor does it give the harassing power that phoenix does. The void is only used to attempt to kill zerg's 3rd while they're still weak on anti-air defenses


Void is also there for anti roach-zergling all-in cheese. Thats the MAIN reason you build a stargate WHENEVER you double expo. It's a full must. However, after that, you must be wary of nydus AND drops. To counter this, if you don't see a zerg third, don't even bother going for robo tech or even build more voids or phoenixes. Cut probes, build gateways, start going crazy on gateway units with chronoboost. Put forcefields under overlords so they can't drop as fast and defend it.

If you defend it, feel free to take a third and aggravate the zerg a little, and then build up to a higher lead.


your wall is the main reason that stops a roach/ling attack, all void does is supplement your defense. and no, the main reason for building stargate is contain zerg and hold off their economy


Not really, you can't hold off any sort of roach aggression with cannons unless you have like 5, how does VRs/Phoenix 'contain' a zerg :/. Zerg don't need to move out or anything, they will happily drone up.
pippo_jedi
Profile Joined March 2011
Italy15 Posts
June 07 2011 08:27 GMT
#27
On June 07 2011 13:57 tsukiumi wrote:
@Oreo7
i wanna say it was the metalopolis match against Idra (second series where he 4-0d him) or losira but im not 100%, that even though he did do a roach ling rush, the void rays still got defended against, and MC demonstrated a nice transition after about 3 voids and 4-5 phoenixs, he expanded to a 3rd and started making collosi and blink stalkers.

that Being said, losira Vs MC(when MC was eliminated) showed exactly how to counter and effectively win this particular wall off. *Spoiler-As soon as losira spotted the void rays he threw a few spore crawlers down and a hydra den. as soon as the den finished he threw down a nydus network. after he repelled the VR/Phoenix harass he used his zergling and overlords to spot 3 different nydus worms, brought in mass hydras and queens to drop creep tumors, and basically poked from all sides til he over ran MC. thats just my 2 cents on it, if any of you want i have the replays saved so i can link them for you to watch.


If you rewatch the game vs Losira you'll see that Losira starts the Hydra Den before spotting the VR (I looked twice, it's that or I missed something)
Either "he knows" based on general scout info or it was already his plan upon seeing a FE.
see FE -> no fast colossi -> his plan is hitting at 9.50 with nydus and 11 Hydras and force MC to delay colossi.


Ruscour
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
5233 Posts
June 07 2011 08:44 GMT
#28
This isn't MC's build, it's pretty dang old. If scouted, double expand is the correct and common response.

Still, well written.
DarKFoRcE
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Germany1215 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-07 08:48:32
June 07 2011 08:44 GMT
#29
"(in particular the famous Losira 2base roach/ling push)"

This is flat out wrong. The thing Losira is known for is a semiallin with ~30-35 drones against a 3 gate sentry expansion, the roach ling allin that people use against a forge FE stops at 14/15 drones and comes much earlier. it also often cancels the hatchery.

also note that against moon on TDA MC sent out another probe at a perfect timing, which made moon delay his roach ling push slighty (~10s) because he had to hide the roaches from the probe seeing it too quickly, had he not done this, it would have been a good bunch harder to defend against the push.

other than that, pretty good writeup
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/PinDarKFoRcE
crabz
Profile Joined May 2011
227 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-07 08:58:40
June 07 2011 08:54 GMT
#30
the whole point of this build is to deny 3rd, dont know why people say zerg will pump drones and deny when thats not the case, notice how mc scouted with probes to have full info if Z went for fast 3rd to rally voids asap in that direction
NB
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Netherlands12045 Posts
June 07 2011 09:03 GMT
#31
for people looking for counter: watch mondragon games in TSL and cruncher games! insight are there :D...
Im daed. Follow me @TL_NB
Geiko
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
France1947 Posts
June 07 2011 09:16 GMT
#32
On June 07 2011 17:44 DarKFoRcE wrote:
"(in particular the famous Losira 2base roach/ling push)"

This is flat out wrong. The thing Losira is known for is a semiallin with ~30-35 drones against a 3 gate sentry expansion, the roach ling allin that people use against a forge FE stops at 14/15 drones and comes much earlier. it also often cancels the hatchery.

also note that against moon on TDA MC sent out another probe at a perfect timing, which made moon delay his roach ling push slighty (~10s) because he had to hide the roaches from the probe seeing it too quickly, had he not done this, it would have been a good bunch harder to defend against the push.

other than that, pretty good writeup


Fixed that thank you ^^

To the people saying that this isn't anything new, I'm aware that the strat in itself isn't new, what I wanted to show is MC's take on this. It looks like he's been giving this build quite some thought and this particular BO looks very safe.
I've searched through TL for a good FFE opening because I've always wanted to try that style but there isn't a single thread about it, people just usually tell you to get a forge, a nexus and some cannons and then tech up to what you want and that isn't really helpful.
geiko.813 (EU)
WrathOfAiur
Profile Joined May 2010
Germany243 Posts
June 07 2011 13:43 GMT
#33
On June 07 2011 11:03 Aquafresh wrote:
It is interesting that he cuts probes for so long in order to get his infrastructure up and counts on Chronoboost to make up the difference. It has been awhile since I've actually played an SC2 game, is this something common among professional protoss builds? Chronoboost is such an unexplored mechanic. It seems like a godsend to the players who love to really tinker with optimal build orders.


this is common for forge FE builds. Not entirely because you want the infrastructure, but because you want the wall-off. So 1 canon is enough to fend off lings and the zerg has to do that roach all-in if he wants to do any damage.

and because a zerg can't really hatch first vs forge first (canon rush) you will have a good economy compared to the zerg. if you metagame your opponent and you go for nexus first vs pool first, you are actually ahead and the zerg can't punish you excpet with that hatch-cancel roach all-in.
Welmu
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
Finland3295 Posts
June 07 2011 13:47 GMT
#34
You could add to purposes that it scouts what Zerg is doing.
Progamertwitter.com/welmu1 | twitch.com/Welmu1
sirzachattack
Profile Joined April 2011
United Kingdom63 Posts
June 07 2011 14:01 GMT
#35
9 Pylon - CB Nexus
13 Forge
18 Nexus
18 Gateway
18 Canon
18 Assimilator
18 Pylon
18 Assimilator
19 Cybercore
27 Canon
28 Stargate


This is the buildorder.
jhk0219
Profile Joined March 2011
United States189 Posts
June 07 2011 14:03 GMT
#36
On June 07 2011 11:02 confusedcrib wrote:
It was the kind of thing that seemed like MC made it up on the fly after being busted so much after expanding. My biggest fear for the build is the Idra style Hydra creep highway and/or nydus play. It seems that would rape pure gateway + air openings. Depends on how fast MC can get colossus up afterwards.

Oh, and in my opinion, the three void ray follow up is really bad. One void ray + phoenix follow up is much better for shutting down the third, and having that man void rays doesn't help too much, using that extra money for fast colossus seems like a better use.


~1k master zerg here.

This is what I thought too, as hydras are supposed to counter warp gate units.... If you watched the 6th and final game of the extended series between Idra and MC on Testbug, you'll see that blink stalkers actually did just fine against hydras. MC got colossi at first, and Idra responded by making just the right number of corruptors to kill them off. It didn't matter, though.

I don't think nydus is an easy option to take, because most good protoss players spread out the pylons, and just 1-2 warp ins of zealots can kill of the nydus. It's a huge investment for the zerg player to get nydus and if it fails, we come out pretty behind.
Binabik
Profile Joined January 2011
Germany686 Posts
June 07 2011 14:14 GMT
#37
The cool thing about this build is that it's autowin against 15Hatch and that it's autowin against pool first.
I used to play 16 Nexus, but I think this build is much safer!
turdburgler
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
England6749 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-07 14:37:29
June 07 2011 14:25 GMT
#38
how to play like ogsMC

1.forge expand

2.quick tech to stargate with the standard 1 void ray + x phoenix's

2b.send a probe out while your stargate is building, if you smell roach/ling push add 2nd and 3rd cannon.

3.rally void ray to their third base

4.even if you do 0 damage instantly tech to colossus and blink with minimal units
pray they dont attack you for the next 2 minutes
(see idra mc g2 on meta, even with perfect control idra did massive damage due to the "tech to everything approach")

5. when lance is done start third base

6. turtle till max

7. omnomnom

im only making this post because i feel that mc isnt doing anything 'special' in the pvz match up, stargate early was already popular. and like tyler has pointed out before, he takes risks. when not a single person at mlg has noticed his tech to everything style even after doing 0 damage its easy to see why he is so successful
WwVudu
Profile Joined June 2011
United States28 Posts
June 07 2011 17:32 GMT
#39
I was at columbus watching and it blew me away how easily he dealt with the pushes... I have the most trouble defending the roach ling push and he mad it look easy.... while having a 2nd nexus ?! WHAT>!
jhk0219
Profile Joined March 2011
United States189 Posts
June 07 2011 18:27 GMT
#40
On June 07 2011 23:14 Binabik wrote:
The cool thing about this build is that it's autowin against 15Hatch and that it's autowin against pool first.
I used to play 16 Nexus, but I think this build is much safer!



I don't see how it's autowin against either of those openings. You might as well say this build just beats zerg 100%? This build doesnt guarantee you a win in any way shape or form
Prev 1 2 3 4 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 2h 4m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 424
elazer 282
UpATreeSC 130
JuggernautJason71
ForJumy 27
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 281
Mini 270
nyoken 32
NaDa 12
Rock 12
Dota 2
canceldota84
NeuroSwarm63
League of Legends
C9.Mang0154
Counter-Strike
pashabiceps2953
Super Smash Bros
PPMD20
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor190
Other Games
Grubby3430
FrodaN2645
shahzam366
RotterdaM209
Liquid`Hasu201
ArmadaUGS97
ToD66
Livibee48
Organizations
Other Games
BasetradeTV101
StarCraft 2
angryscii 24
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 17 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• musti20045 27
• Reevou 2
• Kozan
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• sooper7s
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Migwel
• IndyKCrew
StarCraft: Brood War
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota2658
• lizZardDota252
League of Legends
• TFBlade1277
Other Games
• imaqtpie1415
• Shiphtur181
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
2h 4m
PiG Sty Festival
11h 4m
Clem vs Percival
Zoun vs Solar
Escore
12h 4m
Epic.LAN
14h 4m
Replay Cast
1d 2h
PiG Sty Festival
1d 11h
herO vs NightMare
Reynor vs Cure
CranKy Ducklings
1d 12h
Epic.LAN
1d 14h
Replay Cast
2 days
PiG Sty Festival
2 days
Serral vs YoungYakov
ByuN vs ShoWTimE
[ Show More ]
Sparkling Tuna Cup
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Wardi Open
3 days
Monday Night Weeklies
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
WardiTV Winter Champion…
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
WardiTV Winter Champion…
5 days
The PondCast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-02-18
LiuLi Cup: 2025 Grand Finals
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
WardiTV Winter 2026
PiG Sty Festival 7.0
Nations Cup 2026
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S1: King of Kings
[S:21] ASL SEASON OPEN 1st Round
[S:21] ASL SEASON OPEN 1st Round Qualifier
Acropolis #4 - TS5
Jeongseon Sooper Cup
Spring Cup 2026: China & Korea Invitational
[S:21] ASL SEASON OPEN 2nd Round
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
RSL Revival: Season 4
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
FISSURE Playground #3
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
ESL Pro League Season 23
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.