• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 23:26
CEST 05:26
KST 12:26
  • 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 Season 1 - Final Week4[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall10HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho0
Community News
Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation17$25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced6Weekly Cups (June 30 - July 6): Classic Doubles6[BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China10Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL70
StarCraft 2
General
RSL Revival patreon money discussion thread The GOAT ranking of GOAT rankings We need to be discussing a new patch right now! Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation RSL Season 1 - Final Week
Tourneys
RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament $25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced WardiTV Mondays
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 481 Fear and Lava Mutation # 480 Moths to the Flame Mutation # 479 Worn Out Welcome Mutation # 478 Instant Karma
Brood War
General
BW General Discussion A cwal.gg Extension - Easily keep track of anyone ASL20 Preliminary Maps BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Script to open stream directly using middle click
Tourneys
Small VOD Thread 2.0 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Last Minute Live-Report Thread Resource! [BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Path of Exile CCLP - Command & Conquer League Project Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread The PlayStation 5 Nintendo Switch Thread
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
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread The Accidental Video Game Porn Archive Stop Killing Games - European Citizens Initiative
Fan Clubs
SKT1 Classic Fan Club! Maru Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
2024 - 2025 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion NBA General Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Men Take Risks, Women Win Ga…
TrAiDoS
momentary artworks from des…
tankgirl
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Trip to the Zoo
micronesia
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 640 users

Uncle Dolans TvP mech build

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 Next All
mols0n
Profile Joined May 2010
Canada388 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-23 16:59:36
July 23 2011 16:50 GMT
#1
Hello fellow Tler's!

I thought I'd share this build with you that I've been using at the Masters level to get like a 90%+ win rate vs Protoss. I was like the common Terran before, using MMM + vikings + ghosts to deal with the Protoss deathball and constantly loosing. Therefore I went into my lab and concocted this mad scheme to use Mech vs Protoss. Most Terrans scoff at the idea, but hold your judgement! I have a 90%+ win rate vs Protoss or a reason

Shout Outs
+ Show Spoiler +

Thorzain - Because the build is basically based off of his TvP style in game 5 vs MC in the TSL
MarineKush - For giving me the idea to EMP my own mech units
Zatic - For the opening
Warden - For well... having an awesome stream!


General Idea of the build - Basically create a Mech + ghost army to destroy anything Protoss throws at you. You're army will consist of THORS + Hellions, no matter what composition your opponent goes, you will always use Thors + Hellions because they work so well together economy wise and in combat. Then depending on what your opponent goes, you have a mix of vikings and ghosts and ravens

Build Order Opening

+ Show Spoiler +
supply @ 10
rax @ 12 - build 1 marine and reactor immediately after
gas @ 13
orbital @ 15
2nd rax @ as soon as you have 150. delay your second supply deopt. tech lab as soon as its finished then concussive shell
CC @ 400 min (you can cut a few marines, maruders)
Factory @ right after CC
2nd gas @ right after factory
3rd, 4th gases @ right when you have your expo up
Armory @ right after factory completes
Starport @ right after armory gets started (can go faster starport if you're expecting DT's, but I prefer Ebay instead)

Then basically pump marines + maurders. If you want to pressure, I like to do it when I have 1-2 maurders. Pushing out requires your own judgement depending on what you're scout sees. I like to hide my scouting SCV at his natural to check for expo. If I see 1 gate expo I will almost always bring like 4 scvs and punish it. Regardless 2-3 bunkers should always be thrown down at your natural in-case he decides to go 4 gate, 3 gate expo pressure


Midgame Transition

+ Show Spoiler +
So as soon as your armory is done, you should start a Thor. Sometimes I like to build a siege tank before the Thor to feel more safe, but its up to you. You should basically cut marine + maurder production when you start the armory, 3 bunkers should be enough to hold any pressure.

When your Thor is started and you have enough money, lift your barracks and put 2 factory's, 1 on the tech lab and 1 on the reactor. Get a raven off the starport and start making thors and hellions

This is where scans and scouting come into play. Scan his base and see what he is getting:

He's going Colossus: Start a reactor on one of the rax, swap with starport and start viking production. Do not overdo viking production 8-10 is more than enough. Delay ghost production

He's going HT: Start ghost academy. Build another rax on the starport tech lab. Put 2 tech labs on your current rax's (should have 3 raxs with tech labs). Production from starport should be stopped

He's going mass immortal(oh noes!): Actually it isn't that scary. Do the same as above, 3 tech lab rax, and EMP him into oblivion. Immortals aren't that good without their hardened shields.

Hes going stargate: Same as Colossus, reactor on starport 8-10 vikings. If he is going mass startgates you might need more. Don't worry too much about void rays, they tend to stack and a few thor shots give your vikings a HUGE advantage in the air battle

You will find you float quite a few minerals with this build. I usually start my 3rd around the 11min mark. My 4th is usually around the 15th min mark. 2 more factory's should be thrown down for each expo... just a rule of thumb I use

Blue flame should be gotten pretty quickly and vehicle armor upgrades when you can spare the monehs


Late game
+ Show Spoiler +
To be honest, I don't have much experience in late late game because my push usually just crushes them. I am going to assume you can start CC'ing everywhere, and start sacing scv's. If he goes Carriers make vikings. I hope to update this section when I have my late game experience, but truth is I don't right now


The push
+ Show Spoiler +
I usually push when I am close to maxed. You should have a ton of hellions, around 6 ghosts and probably like 8+ thors a raven(or 2) and some vikings if you need them. Just basically a attack and EMP him back to hell. Profit

You'll probably see some strange compositions used vs you. For example I see Colossus + HT sometimes because he'll be going down the Colossus path, see me going Thor's and start making a few HT's. Or he'll throw down a Stargate. I really can't comment on what you should do, it will take game experience. Use my counters as a guideline and just try to make a balanced composition to counter his


Replays

+ Show Spoiler +
Please note the account pedobear is a smurf I started during the ladder lock for fun. He's platinum but has a mid-high masters MMR. You can just check the opponent's he plays. Also I know some replays don't use the Zatic opening, but they are older ones. Trust me the Zatic opening is the strongest and safest. If you use the thorzain 1-1-1 opening you risk just being destroyed by 4 gate or some type of early all-in

http://bit.ly/o5zBtf
http://bit.ly/oockJL
http://bit.ly/pQARxJ
http://bit.ly/mOqRy0
http://bit.ly/rlyKNd
http://bit.ly/pgjA16


Final Words: Hope you guys enjoy this and it helps with your TvP frustrations. I ask if you use this build, that it henceforth from here on out be known as The Dolan Build. Not cuz i really want credit, I just think its a hilarious name! Have fun

Please note, I don't consider myself a great player or anything. I am am a Masters level Terran vs Masters level Protoss. If this doesn't work at higher levels like GM, GSL, then I'm sorry. Kind of hard to test at that level
gosuRob
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States319 Posts
July 23 2011 16:58 GMT
#2
Can't wait to try this out!!
Rules? There aren't many rules. You fight mean, you win mean. It takes a certain someone
Antylamon
Profile Joined March 2011
United States1981 Posts
July 23 2011 17:01 GMT
#3
I feel like I've seen this same bo somewhere else with it's own thread recently... :/

It seems like it's missing a few things too.
mols0n
Profile Joined May 2010
Canada388 Posts
July 23 2011 17:04 GMT
#4
On July 24 2011 02:01 noobinator wrote:
I feel like I've seen this same bo somewhere else with it's own thread recently... :/

It seems like it's missing a few things too.


Where @? If you're talking about MarineKush's build then yes it is kind of similar but also different. I gave him credit in the shoutouts. Note check the dates on the replays, I've been using this build for the past month or so now.

And whats it missing? I can add some things if needed
yankjenets
Profile Joined June 2010
United States232 Posts
July 23 2011 17:04 GMT
#5
What do you do if the toss sends over a zealot + chrono'd stalker when he sees the reactor go down? The early reactor seems very unsafe.
mols0n
Profile Joined May 2010
Canada388 Posts
July 23 2011 17:06 GMT
#6
On July 24 2011 02:04 yankjenets wrote:
What do you do if the toss sends over a zealot + chrono'd stalker when he sees the reactor go down? The early reactor seems very unsafe.


Its very safe. If its close positions, I actually don't often use this build(prefer bombers all-in close positions)... but just throw down a bunker, delay your 2nd supply depot. Problem solved
KimJongChill
Profile Joined January 2011
United States6429 Posts
July 23 2011 17:13 GMT
#7
Why is it called Uncle Dolan's build?
MMA: U realise MMA: Most of my army EgIdra: fuck off MMA: Killed my orbital MMA: LOL MMA: just saying MMA: u werent loss
PhiliBiRD
Profile Joined November 2009
United States2643 Posts
July 23 2011 17:29 GMT
#8
How you fair against mass blink stalker? Keep making marauders i suppose?
Aries-
Profile Joined November 2010
Sweden54 Posts
July 23 2011 17:38 GMT
#9
On July 24 2011 02:13 KimJongChill wrote:
Why is it called Uncle Dolan's build?

http://ohinternet.com/Uncle_Dolan
If God exists, I hope he has a good excuse.
cilinder007
Profile Joined August 2010
Slovenia7251 Posts
July 23 2011 17:41 GMT
#10
I still think HT's are realy good against this unit comp, if you dont EMP the thors they will just get feedbacked, so baisicly you need a shitload of ghosts to EMP everything and if he spreads its just so much harder + you the more ghosts you build the less thors you have
not to speak that on large maps, he could just just blink stalkers to keeps you in your base and outexpand you, like every mech style...
MrRicewife
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
Canada515 Posts
July 23 2011 18:50 GMT
#11
On July 24 2011 02:41 cilinder007 wrote:
I still think HT's are realy good against this unit comp, if you dont EMP the thors they will just get feedbacked, so baisicly you need a shitload of ghosts to EMP everything and if he spreads its just so much harder + you the more ghosts you build the less thors you have
not to speak that on large maps, he could just just blink stalkers to keeps you in your base and outexpand you, like every mech style...


Check last replay.

You should show us some replays of you losing with this. I think the biggest thing would be getting out expanded.
So? My dad can beat up your dad. - Jesus
mols0n
Profile Joined May 2010
Canada388 Posts
July 23 2011 19:26 GMT
#12
On July 24 2011 02:41 cilinder007 wrote:
I still think HT's are realy good against this unit comp, if you dont EMP the thors they will just get feedbacked, so baisicly you need a shitload of ghosts to EMP everything and if he spreads its just so much harder + you the more ghosts you build the less thors you have
not to speak that on large maps, he could just just blink stalkers to keeps you in your base and outexpand you, like every mech style...


Well you do EMP the Thors thats the thing, and the blueflame tears apart the HT's. But yes, I have lost to a mass blink stalker build. Basically got into a basetrade situation and lost
Bleak
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Turkey3059 Posts
July 23 2011 19:28 GMT
#13
It sounds like a chain of fast food restaurants, but I'll check this out :D
"I am a beacon of knowledge blazing out across a black sea of ignorance. "
Toxi78
Profile Joined May 2010
966 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-23 20:12:48
July 23 2011 20:09 GMT
#14
i play mech vs protoss but i prefer the goody opening into the goody push and work from here with better mechanics than goody but a bit less strategical thinking.
the opening is: normal 1 gas factory, throw down expo after factory 1 hellion then tanks, reactor marine to be safe, add factories and switch it on the reactor, engy bay right for the dt timing, and keeping obs away. push around 100 food with a huge tank ball with hellions and marines, then work from here.
mols0n
Profile Joined May 2010
Canada388 Posts
July 23 2011 20:10 GMT
#15
On July 24 2011 03:50 MrRicewife wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 24 2011 02:41 cilinder007 wrote:
I still think HT's are realy good against this unit comp, if you dont EMP the thors they will just get feedbacked, so baisicly you need a shitload of ghosts to EMP everything and if he spreads its just so much harder + you the more ghosts you build the less thors you have
not to speak that on large maps, he could just just blink stalkers to keeps you in your base and outexpand you, like every mech style...


Check last replay.

You should show us some replays of you losing with this. I think the biggest thing would be getting out expanded.


Pretty much epic fail in that last battle on my part. That was before I knew to EMP my Thors.. also terrible scouting so I didn't have enough ghosts.. somehow I still won
DjRetro
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Chile309 Posts
July 23 2011 23:17 GMT
#16
Wow, this build looks awesome, very nice gameplay bro. I will try with this opening. TvP is by far my worst MU.
SpaceSynth-ItaloDisco-HiNRG http://www.radiostaddenhaag.com/
Yoshi Kirishima
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States10327 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-23 23:25:26
July 23 2011 23:24 GMT
#17
I've always been going mech, so thank you, for sharing replays as a Masters level player winning 90% or so %.

I used to do Thorzain's build, but i found his push hard to do at the same timing after the Thor nerf because I would have trouble strike cannoning his immortals (not enough MP on all the Thors), and so I tried to get Ghosts in time for the same push, but then I found it was pretty hard to balance your army with all that gas, and having problems adapting with the Thor nerf, so thank you for sharing replays ^_^

Now I've just been doing a 1 reactor hellion expand into mass hellions and transitioning into tanks and then thors xD, but I hope I can get back to the Thorzain Thor/Hellion style xD

Also, yeah EMPing your Thors is amazingly fun. Many times my opponents still Feedback, but usually only does like 50 dmg to a Thor, when a Storm would be much better xD.

Edit:

You say that against Immortals, you should add a third Rax. I really don't think this is necessary, even for your push you say 8 thors and 6 ghosts... can't you just make that 2 ghosts? Really you don't need that many EMPs. I mean, you're not going to be pumping 3 ghosts the rest of the game are you? Or are you?
Mid-master streaming MECH ONLY + commentary www.twitch.tv/yoshikirishima +++ "If all-in fails, all-in again."
mols0n
Profile Joined May 2010
Canada388 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-23 23:32:58
July 23 2011 23:31 GMT
#18
On July 24 2011 08:24 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:
I've always been going mech, so thank you, for sharing replays as a Masters level player winning 90% or so %.

I used to do Thorzain's build, but i found his push hard to do at the same timing after the Thor nerf because I would have trouble strike cannoning his immortals (not enough MP on all the Thors), and so I tried to get Ghosts in time for the same push, but then I found it was pretty hard to balance your army with all that gas, and having problems adapting with the Thor nerf, so thank you for sharing replays ^_^

Now I've just been doing a 1 reactor hellion expand into mass hellions and transitioning into tanks and then thors xD, but I hope I can get back to the Thorzain Thor/Hellion style xD

Also, yeah EMPing your Thors is amazingly fun. Many times my opponents still Feedback, but usually only does like 50 dmg to a Thor, when a Storm would be much better xD.

Edit:

You say that against Immortals, you should add a third Rax. I really don't think this is necessary, even for your push you say 8 thors and 6 ghosts... can't you just make that 2 ghosts? Really you don't need that many EMPs. I mean, you're not going to be pumping 3 ghosts the rest of the game are you? Or are you?


I actually do. I think they are a good unit, especially if the opponent has a nice concave you need more than 2 emps.. also emp only drains 100 shields, some units like colossus have more shields. Also if you miss an EMP or your ghosts get feedbacked, killed you always have spare EMP's. Also you can EMP the warp in units too

Maybe its a little overkill but I find like 6-8 ghosts optimal. Its hilarious if he goes archons cuz they all end up with 10 hp

Yeah ghosts can be kind of gas heavy, but the patch helps a lot. Also you will be getting your 3rd pretty quickly so after that you should be fine
Probe1
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States17920 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-23 23:38:39
July 23 2011 23:38 GMT
#19
So how do you approach the immobility of mech when Protoss can repeatedly expand and if you match his rate of expansion, you're forced into a mobility fight that mech has difficulty competing in?

I apologize if this was already answered and I missed it.
우정호 KT_VIOLET 1988 - 2012 While we are postponing, life speeds by
Bippzy
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States1466 Posts
July 23 2011 23:48 GMT
#20
If your opponent is going for collosus, do you make 1-2 medivacs to drop your hellions and do terrible terrible damage? this build looks very nice.

Also, what do you do if you scout him going double forge mass gateway units(which in my mind is the ultimate counter to mech)?
LEENOCK LEENOCK LEENOCK LEENOCK LEENOCK LEENOCK LEENOCK LEENOCK LEENOCK LEENOCK LEENOCK LEENOCK
1 2 3 4 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
The PiG Daily
22:50
Best Games of SC
Clem vs ByuN
SHIN vs GuMiho
PiGStarcraft608
LiquipediaDiscussion
SC Evo Complete
22:00
Enki Epic Ser. Taeja vs soO EN
davetesta47
Liquipedia
OSC
20:00
Mid Season Playoffs
Spirit vs GeraldLIVE!
Solar vs ShoWTimE
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
PiGStarcraft608
Nina 208
RuFF_SC2 151
StarCraft: Brood War
Sea 4959
Larva 352
Aegong 81
NaDa 47
GoRush 8
Icarus 8
LuMiX 1
Dota 2
monkeys_forever790
NeuroSwarm119
League of Legends
JimRising 923
febbydoto13
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K420
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor143
Other Games
summit1g9732
shahzam852
ViBE211
C9.Mang0178
Trikslyr62
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick36363
BasetradeTV44
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH251
• Hupsaiya 63
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• Azhi_Dahaki9
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Jankos1934
• Scarra1108
Upcoming Events
RSL Revival
6h 35m
SHIN vs Clem
Cure vs TBD
FEL
8h 35m
FEL
12h 35m
Gerald vs PAPI
Spirit vs ArT
CSO Cup
12h 35m
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
14h 35m
Bonyth vs QiaoGege
Dewalt vs Fengzi
Hawk vs Zhanhun
Sziky vs Mihu
Mihu vs QiaoGege
Zhanhun vs Sziky
Fengzi vs Hawk
DaveTesta Events
14h 35m
Sparkling Tuna Cup
1d 6h
RSL Revival
1d 6h
Classic vs TBD
FEL
1d 11h
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
1d 14h
Bonyth vs Dewalt
QiaoGege vs Dewalt
Hawk vs Bonyth
Sziky vs Fengzi
Mihu vs Zhanhun
QiaoGege vs Zhanhun
Fengzi vs Mihu
[ Show More ]
Wardi Open
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
WardiTV European League
3 days
PiGosaur Monday
3 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
4 days
Replay Cast
4 days
The PondCast
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Epic.LAN
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
HSC XXVII
NC Random Cup

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
Acropolis #3
CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
Copa Latinoamericana 4
Jiahua Invitational
2025 ACS Season 2: Qualifier
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
Championship of Russia 2025
RSL Revival: Season 1
Murky Cup #2
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters

Upcoming

CSL Xiamen Invitational
CSL Xiamen Invitational: ShowMatche
2025 ACS Season 2
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
K-Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
SEL Season 2 Championship
FEL Cracov 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
Underdog Cup #2
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
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.