• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 03:30
CEST 09:30
KST 16:30
  • 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
Serral wins Maestros of the Game 236ByuL, and the Limitations of Standard Play3Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners7Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection7
Community News
BSL Season 22 Full Overview & Conclusion3BSL Season 22 Full Overview & Conclusion3Weekly Cups (June 29-July 5): Solar Doubles0MC vs IdrA, Boxer vs Nal_rA to be Legacy Matches @ BlizzCon445.0.16 Hotfix (June 30) - Balance + Bug Fixes40
StarCraft 2
General
Most successful SC2 players of Q2 2026 Serral wins Maestros of the Game 2 MC vs IdrA, Boxer vs Nal_rA to be Legacy Matches @ BlizzCon Is the larve respawn broken? 5.0.16 patch for SC2 goes live (8 worker start)
Tourneys
GSL CK #5 Race War RSL Revival: Season 6 - Qualifiers and Main Event HomeStory Cup 29 Vespene Cup #1 — $300+ USD, July 10 Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond)
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
New Map Maker - Looking for Advice - Love or Hate Work In Progress Melee Maps [D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3
External Content
Mutation # 533 Die Together The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 532 Nuclear Family Mutation # 531 Experimental Artillery
Brood War
General
BSL Season 22 Full Overview & Conclusion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BW General Discussion ASL 22 Proposed Map Pool Starcraft vs Retro Category on Twitch
Tourneys
Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 Small VOD Thread 2.0 IPSL Spring 2026 Top 4! CSLAN 4 is Coming!
Strategy
Fighting Spirit mining rates Simple Questions, Simple Answers Creating a full chart of Zerg builds Relatively freeroll strategies
Other Games
General Games
Summer Games Done Quick 2026! Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Dawn of War IV ZeroSpace at Steam NextFest - Last free demo
Dota 2
Looking for a Dota Mentor 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
TL Mafia
NeO.D_StephenKing vs This Guy From 1 Million Dance TL Mafia Community Thread TL Mafia Power Rank Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread UK Politics Mega-thread YouTube Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club The HerO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread Movie Discussion! Series you have seen recently... [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [TV/BOOK] *SPOILERS* Game of Thrones Discussion
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story Tennis[sport] Formula 1 Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
FPS when play League Of Legend on laptop How to clean a TTe Thermaltake keyboard? Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Major Shifts in the Gaming I…
TrAiDoS
An Exploration of th…
waywardstrategy
Gauntlet SC2: A Retrospectiv…
Ctone23
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Evil Gacha Games and the…
ffswowsucks
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 10623 users

Catz's 7 pool on Shakuras Plateau (ZvP)

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 Next All
wikipal
Profile Joined July 2011
Ireland18 Posts
October 03 2011 13:20 GMT
#1
I was watching Catz's stream last week, and while he was laddering he came up against the same protoss player twice in a row on Shakuras Plateau.
Catz's lost the first game after some gimmicky Void Ray play, and when he was matched to the same guy on the same map, he said:
Watch me rape this guy. He's never seen this before.

Catz proceeded to build one drone, put down a 7 pool, and attack the protoss player, and then transition into a 16 hatch.
I was amazed by the economic damage done by Catz by using this build, and decided to write a quick thread on it.

+ Show Spoiler +

Send O/L to Closest possible Spawning location.
7 Pool
Drone to 9
Your 9th drone and Pool should pop around the same time.
Double Extractor Trick, Build 6 lings.
12 O/L
@150 Minerals Build Queen
16 Expand.


This will do significant damage to an FFE. You can kill the initial pylon, supply block him, get him to pull his probes off the line, and kill 4-5. That's 300-350 minerals worth of damage and delay mining time significantly. Since this a semi-all-in, you are trying your best to keep the Toss player from mining as long as possible, so you can afford to lose all your initial lings.
With a Gate-way First player, while you are unlikely to encounter a Zealot by the time you attaci t is essential you kill the pylon in this Scenario, you do not want that zealot spawning, or you will be too far behind to win the game.
This will only probably work on Shakuras Plateau due to there being only two spawning locations. (Cross Map, and Double Top/Bottom)
This could also work on Xel'Naga Caverns, but I have not tested it yet.

Replays will be available ASAP.
ReaperX
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
Hong Kong1758 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-10-03 13:59:49
October 03 2011 13:23 GMT
#2
This seems cool for Zerg players to start doing, but scary for Protoss players like me to face on ladder. Thanks for sharing!

+ Show Spoiler +
I was being sarcastic lol, this is so old!
Artosis : Clide. idrA : Shut up.
TTneko
Profile Joined August 2011
Australia70 Posts
October 03 2011 13:24 GMT
#3
Hasn't this been done for about a year? nothing new here I don't think :S ?
Come watch my Grandmaster Zerg stream! // http://www.twitch.tv/ttneko
Jermstuddog
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
United States2231 Posts
October 03 2011 13:27 GMT
#4
Nothing new, see Fail Pool in liquipedia,

The links to discussions have a lot of input from CatZ.
As it turns out, marines don't actually cost any money -Jinro
Arcanefrost
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Belgium1257 Posts
October 03 2011 13:28 GMT
#5
You can just wall with forge and 2gates.
Valor is a poor substitute for numbers.
Antieque
Profile Joined January 2011
Korea (South)79 Posts
October 03 2011 13:28 GMT
#6
Very old, nothing new here.
wikipal
Profile Joined July 2011
Ireland18 Posts
October 03 2011 13:33 GMT
#7
The Fail Pool, is actually different. Its 2 Lings, O/L 2 more lings. The difference in the build is the double extractor, which allows you to get the zerglings just that bit quicker. And while I did search for this on liquidipedia, I thought it deserved its own thread due to it being slightly different and more structured than the Fail Pool.
TTneko
Profile Joined August 2011
Australia70 Posts
October 03 2011 13:33 GMT
#8
No it doesn't
Come watch my Grandmaster Zerg stream! // http://www.twitch.tv/ttneko
BearDK
Profile Joined March 2011
Denmark101 Posts
October 03 2011 13:35 GMT
#9
if you scout it, it should be quite easy to get that wall up at the natural in time.
Jermstuddog
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
United States2231 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-10-03 13:37:43
October 03 2011 13:37 GMT
#10
On October 03 2011 22:33 wikipal wrote:
The Fail Pool, is actually different. Its 2 Lings, O/L 2 more lings. The difference in the build is the double extractor, which allows you to get the zerglings just that bit quicker. And while I did search for this on liquidipedia, I thought it deserved its own thread due to it being slightly different and more structured than the Fail Pool.


I put a section in there saying you can vary it up however you want: 9 drones, double extractor trick into 6 lings or 8 drones, ovie, then 8 lings are both very good options. The 9 drone is a bit more economical, the 8 drone has a bit more punch.

On the other side, there is what I call "The Hero Drone." I always send one because he can block buildings to leave a door open for your lings and generally be annoying, but it is very costly to do so ~100 minerals. On 2 player maps, the drone is optional, but on maps like Shakuras or LT, you almost always want to send one because it also scouts for you.

The article is not the only way to do things, it's just an example.
As it turns out, marines don't actually cost any money -Jinro
kAra
Profile Joined September 2004
Germany1434 Posts
October 03 2011 13:39 GMT
#11
should be defended easily with a 12 forge + wall of afterwards, no?
mada mada dane
Antieque
Profile Joined January 2011
Korea (South)79 Posts
October 03 2011 13:44 GMT
#12
You guys are missing the point, the build isn't a 7 pool all in, it's just a 7 pool opener. This means that the even if the Protoss scouts it, they will have to react with a wall off, which requires them to cut probe production. This allows the zerg to catch up on economy because they are droning after the 6 initial lings anyway. For the Protoss to know if it's not a 6 pool all in, they just simply count the larva on your hatchery, if it's laying around until the pool pops, it's an all in, if the larva isn't laying around and turning into drones, it's likely not a big commitment. It can also be scouted by checking for the fast 2nd overlord which usually is made right after the zerg player puts down the 7 pool, of course thats if the zerg player is planning to commit to the fast pool.
-Dustin-
Profile Blog Joined July 2011
United States718 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-10-03 13:50:27
October 03 2011 13:49 GMT
#13
Wait I'm confused as hell about all these early pool subjects now. When Toss talk about 6Pool they say its OP on a FFE, but 7Pool is "easily held off" could someone explain the difference? I understand the Lings will be slightly delayed.

Seems solid may try it out on ladder as I like to do an early Pool vs Toss as it can give me an advantage/straight up win the game, but at a risk, if I fail to do any damage its pretty much game. I like the risk vs reward of a early pool. I see everyone saying its old, I understand that but I've never seen the exact BO for it as I don't look at Liquipedia much.

I also second what Jermstuddog is saying I love to send a scouting Drone just to block buildings harass the Toss and eventually do a little tanking for my Lings.
mage36
Profile Joined May 2011
415 Posts
October 03 2011 13:53 GMT
#14
how is this different from other 7 pools? I'm pretty sure 6 pool can be held off by FFE, so why can't a 7 pool be? Granted you have to pull some probes, but you'd be ahead in probe count just so long as you don't lose a whole lot of them.
Sbrubbles
Profile Joined October 2010
Brazil5776 Posts
October 03 2011 13:58 GMT
#15
Early pool plays vs Protoss are quite strong and may be played into economic variants. Still, this build is as old as heck, so I'm not sure it warrants a new thread.

Bora Pain minha porra!
Chemist391
Profile Joined October 2010
United States368 Posts
October 03 2011 14:40 GMT
#16
CatZ did this to me on Shakuras at MLG Anaheim. I took no economic damage from the 7pool and then proceeded to lose after making extremely silly decisions. Also, CatZ is far better than I am.

FFE can easily defend this.

Replay
Gotmog
Profile Joined October 2010
Serbia899 Posts
October 03 2011 14:47 GMT
#17
I use 7pool quite often, when i remember on some maps in ZvP. Just making 6 lings, and proceeding to expand/drone up non stop, gass/queen all normal stuff. The point is to stop the horrible lead that protoss gets when he is allowed nexus 1st, or nexus before canon, or forge FE in general....

If he opens normally...well dunno, never happened yet. You are behind, can't really do any dmg.
"When you play the game of drones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground"
Jermstuddog
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
United States2231 Posts
October 03 2011 14:47 GMT
#18
On October 03 2011 22:44 DemoraliZ wrote:
For the Protoss to know if it's not a 6 pool all in, they just simply count the larva on your hatchery, if it's laying around until the pool pops, it's an all in, if the larva isn't laying around and turning into drones, it's likely not a big commitment.


This is not true and only going to steer people wrong.

The big commitment is in getting the pool so early, not the lings. The difference between making 2 lings and 6 lings after making a pool at 7 isn't really that much. You might as well make the 6 since the 2 will be largely ineffective. Pooling larva is negligible.
As it turns out, marines don't actually cost any money -Jinro
SoKHo
Profile Joined April 2011
Korea (South)1081 Posts
October 03 2011 14:51 GMT
#19
I mean, you'll only do damage if you go nexus first. You can wall off easily with 3 builds b4 lings come
"If you don't understand my silence, you won't understand my words"|| Big Nal_rA fan boy!! Nal_rA, Bisu, Huk, MC, Hero fighting! SKT1---->
BroboCop
Profile Joined December 2010
United States373 Posts
October 03 2011 14:57 GMT
#20
this build was created by catz within the first couple months of the game. on steppes of war, a notoriously broken map which zerg couldn't possibly win on catz created this strategy. It lead to protoss to saying steppes was broken for zerg because since the rush distance was so quick there was absolutely nothing the protoss could do and honestly was a very strong build. Moreover, at MLG dallas 2010, protoss would ban steppes of war vs catz because they knew he would do it. As for vs gateway openings, it is possible to come out even or in a slightly favorable position, however, it is very difficult and requries very high apm (efficient) which will only be able to be executed by grandmaster and very few high masters players. Moreover, if a protoss goes forge,gate,gate b4 cannon, the zerg will be able to kill the forge and get in meanwhile droning back home.
1 2 3 4 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 1h 30m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
PiGStarcraft754
WinterStarcraft599
Nina 117
StarCraft: Brood War
Sea 3338
Soma 189
ZergMaN 42
sorry 13
Noble 6
Dewaltoss 2
League of Legends
JimRising 773
Counter-Strike
summit1g7629
Other Games
Happy239
Mew2King30
RuFF_SC226
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick25443
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 63
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• lizZardDota276
League of Legends
• Jankos1643
• Stunt388
Upcoming Events
RSL Revival
1h 30m
Serral vs Bunny
ByuN vs GgMaChine
CranKy Ducklings
2h 30m
Afreeca Starleague
2h 30m
Snow vs Jaedong
YSC vs hero
SC Evo League
4h 30m
ByuN vs Classic
Cure vs Solar
IPSL
8h 30m
Dragon vs Ret
Patches Events
8h 30m
RSL Revival
1d 1h
Solar vs Rogue
Maru vs NightMare
Sparkling Tuna Cup
1d 2h
IPSL
1d 8h
Bonyth vs Hawk
GSL
2 days
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
2 days
WardiTV Weekly
3 days
The PondCast
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
CrankTV Team League
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
CrankTV Team League
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Escore Tournament S3: W2
HSC XXIX
Eternal Conflict S2 E1

Ongoing

IPSL Spring 2026
Acropolis #4
YSL S3
CSL 2026 Summer (S21)
ASL Season 22: Wild Card Qualifier
RSL Revival: Season 6
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
SCTL 2026 Spring
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026

Upcoming

CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
Light Tournament 2026
Eternal Conflict S2 Finale
Eternal Conflict S2 E3
Eternal Conflict S2 E2
Logitech G Connect 2026
StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #5
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
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.