The 2-2-2: Strategy Spotlight - Page 9

On June 12 2013 04:13 Alejandrisha wrote:

when you engage, it should look like this




hope that helps

On June 12 2013 19:11 vaderseven wrote:


Wasn't Naniwa's push from that time period also based around a variation of the +1 four gate stuff that was super popular at time time? Wasn't it also based on hitting specific timings that manipulated the standard zerg play of that time (early zealot poke to force zerglings which then have to face +1 zealots which force roaches all of which sets him back from hitting the needed drone count to support a switch to 3 base muta... which is when the colsi/zealot/sentry/prism attack hits)?

Both that build and this build are based on manipulating the standard current metagame, but that metagame has changed from then to now so both builds are completely different.

Stage 1 Naniwa - 2 Zealot poke to force more lings than normal
Stage 1 2/2/2 - Single zealot to block wall and stalker to deny scouting. No poke

Stage 2 Naniwa - +1 4 Gate Zealot pressure to punish ling count and force roaches. Helps build appear normal as this is standard meta.
Stage 2 2/2/2 - Stargate tech to appear normal, deny scouting, and do some harass OR fast robo tech in order to make next stage hit faster

Stage 3 Naniwa - 12 minute 2 Colsi, 8 Sentry, and mass +1 Zealot. Push timed to hit when a Zerg will finally be catching up in economy and attempting a transition to muta. Punishes the Zerg who is still on roach/ling and has not been pumping units.
Stage 3 2/2/2 - 11:30 push if Stargate and 9:50 if none, +1 attack, 2 colsi and 2 immortals, 8 Sentry. Push timed to hit before a zerg can transition from ling/hydra into ling/hydra/swarm host/viper/ultra.

Stage 1 and 2 are radically different. Naniwa's colsi push from that mlg was based on a very smart and assertive use of early zealots to force units while the 2/2/2 is based on a safety zealot and scout denying stalker. Naniwa cared much more about forcing units via direct map pressure while the 2/2/2 cares more about playing the cards close to the chest. Stage 2 for both styles is built around the most common 2 base plays of their time. The intent in stage 2 is totally different in Naniwas build when compared to the 2/2/2. Naniwa was keeping true to his theme of forcing units directly by putting the zerg in a reactive defensive mindset. The 2/2/2 is focused still on keeping information hidden and the main push veiled.

Stage 3 of each build is about hitting a timing when the Zerg is making a major mid game transition. Both the old and the new build feature ~8 Sentrys and 2 Colsi with supporting ground units. The way the protoss plays out the game leading to this attack and the exact composition of the attack are very different and reflect the changing times of the matchup.

To say its a revamp is weird. It fills a similar role in the arsenal of build orders for a toss player (that of a 2 base timing push designed to have an incredibly hard to deal with unit composition that hits during a transitional period for the zerg). Both builds allow the protoss to execute some control over the corners the zerg will feel safe in cutting in subsequent matches. You can not make the leap from that build to this one though. There is nothing about forcing extra lings, into counter lings hard while forcing roaches, into hitting a weakened (due to forced units) pre muta timing that should compare to playing a slightly passive fast expand into a standard style of teching while denying scouting and trying to suggest to the zerg you want to take a 3rd and then hitting him as he is transitioning to late game.

It is extremely reasonable to say that the protoss that first did this 2/2/2 build sat down with the goal of hitting a timing attack while trying to mask the appearance of trying to hit one until the last second. It is also reasonable to say that when Naniwa made his build up he sat down and thought of a way to force out units at several key timings when a Zerg would normally be powering while gearing up to hit a timing that hits before a big tech switch. No one trying to make the 2/2/2 would start with the Naniwa build and modify it till it was as seen in the vods in this guide.



Strategies are solutions to problems. Naniwa had a different problem than the one this build solves. Simple as that!

On June 12 2013 08:28 Teoita wrote:
These newer colossus pushes are different because

a) They are far, far more optimized. People used to hit after 12 minutes (see Ace at the IEM he won in 2010), nowadays 10-11 is the norm.
b) They are done without a stargate as well.
c) They include immortals and/or a warp prism, which was never the case back then.

I agree it's nothing gamechanging like the Soultrain was, but it's this is a nice build for someone to learn regardless, and it's interesting how it was completely shifted out of the metagame, only to come back stronger than ever.

On June 13 2013 02:32 Teoita wrote:
Ok let me rephrase: before the Soultrain was perfected, none ever, EVER, went robo before warpgate/stalker/+1 and focused EXCLUSIVELY on robo units to kill zergs. Even Naniwa's build started off with +1 zealot pressure as you said.

On June 13 2013 12:44 blade55555 wrote:


Yes. Fast muta I believe is a way but swarmhosts as well. Roach/swarmhost absolutely shits on this build tbh.

On June 12 2013 04:13 Whatson wrote:
The Protoss writers for TL are so frigging OP