[G] The Triple Barrel Bust - Zerg vs Terran

Good Day Ladies and Gentlemen of Team Liquid!

My name is Tim Clark (aka TangSC) and welcome to a guide on a hyper-aggressive style of Zerg vs Terran - The Triple Barrel Bust. The goal of this guide is to provide a reference for Zerg players who want to ramp up their aggression - and win rate - using three sequenced timing attacks.

The Triple Barrel Bust was originally developed in Wings of Liberty to help learning players through the process of setting economic benchmarks, executing timing attacks, and planning effective transitions. This old-school style of sequenced aggression has been revamped in Heart of the Swarm, with special consideration given to new Terran advantages like Reapers and Widow Mines. While this style was originally designed for developing players in WoL, it is now my own preferred style of Zerg vs Terran in HotS. The Triple Barrel Bust consistently works well against Master/Grandmaster Terrans, and it is currently my best and favourite match-up.

Here are the three barrels:
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The First Barrel (5:30-6:00) - 14 Speedlings



Repel early Terran aggression (Reapers/Marines), delay expansion Command Center, and disrupt opening build order (slight chance of outright winning/crippling).
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The Second Barrel (10:30-11:30*) - 1-2 Overseers, 20 Speed Roaches, 20 Speed Banelings, 20 Speed Zerglings with +1/+1 Upgrades (*Exact count/time may vary)



Reset army count, deal economic damage to expansion, force opponent to play defensive, delay third Command Center, and disrupt mid-game build order (good chance of outright winning/crippling).
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The Final Barrel (17:30-18:30*) - 2 Overseers, 5 Ultralisks, 60 Banelings, 60 Cracklings with +3/+3 Upgrades (*Exact count/time may vary)



Crush Terran if they attack on Creep, trade well with almost any late-game army, delay/deny fourth Command Center.
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I should point out that while the Triple Barrel Bust draws on the strategies and timings of top-level professionals, it is a style that I personally developed, so it is not currently used at the top-tier tournament level. I firmly believe, however, that an active style is the most entertaining and effective way to improve fundamental Zerg mechanics and multitasking. So if you're asking, "Why should I learn the Triple Barrel Bust instead of a more standard style that professionals use?" then the answer is that the Triple Barrel Bust was not made for a professional player to use, it was made for you to use.

A lot of the builds of the top-professionals have periods of heavy droning and passivity, which require next-level scouting and reacting to defend all the possibilities. For learning players, progress with pro-level builds can be slow. Often games turn into early attacks and all-ins, which can turn ladder games into inefficient practice. You will rarely be on the defensive using The Triple Barrel Bust, as you will always try to be the first and constant aggressor; in fact, you'll have the opportunity to counter-attack and punish Terrans who attempt early aggression. The style also taxes your multitasking every single game, because you will always be going for the three barrel busts.

Perhaps most important: The Triple Barrel Bust is improved by scouting, responding, creep spread, and map vision; however, it does not require these things to be initially effective. That may seem like a bad thing that you don't have to scout and spread creep, but what I mean is that some builds require you to spread creep to live, others require you to scout to live. The Triple Barrel Bust is different because in the vast majority of games, you will stick to the plan 100% - scouting and spreading creep just helps your execution.

To help you learn and master the build, I wrote up a Build Order but more importantly I broke all the steps down into Benchmarks. The Benchmarks will help you mark your economic progress, and pinpoint exactly where macro mistakes are being made. The beautiful thing about this style is that once you have the Build and Benchmarks perfected, you can devote more focus to improving your other mechanics - creep spread, map vision, scouting.

Next, we'll look individually at the execution of the Three Barrels. These sections will focus not only on the purpose of each attack, but also how you can improve your execution mechanics (hot keying, rallying, engaging, etc). I really urge you all to read this guide in the order that it is presented, and view the tutorial videos in sequence.

Finally, as a favour to me, please take a moment to read about and visit Team All-Inspiration and www.TangStarcraft.com.

Thank you all so much for reading!
- Tim / TangSC

Note: This is a tentative build order, meaning the steps may change slightly player to player and game to game. While looking over this build order, I advise watching Tutorial 1 which quickly goes through the build and the three busts.

Click Here to View the Tutorial: Triple Barrel Bust Overview

15Pool
15Gas
17Hatchery
16Queen (Inject/transfer to expansion when she finishes)
18Overlord
18 Zergling Speed (At 100 gas, remove Drones from Geyser)
18-21 Lings
21Queen (Stays in main)
23Overlord
23-26Drones until first inject
26-30Lings (First inject is Zerglings)

The First Barrel (5:30-6:00) - 14 Speedlings

30Queen (at natural for creep)
32Overlord
32-44Drones (Around 36 Supply, start your 2nd Gas and use your inject-larva to fill the new gas and the gas in main)
44Overlordx2
44-54 Drones
54 Evo Chamberx2 (6:30~, you should have roughly 100-150 gas and be mining off 2 geysers)
Drones to 56
56 Double Gas
Drone to 60 (Aim for 44+ Drones to fill all four gases with16 Drones per Mineral Field).
60 Upgrade +1 Carapace/+1 Melee
60 Lair, Roach Warren, Baneling Nest (All this should happen around 8:00).
58 - At 58 Supply, you should have fully-saturated 2 bases with all the gas, with at least one extra drone at your natural expansion. This extra Drone can be used to start your third base at the time that you see fit (Before, during, or after the second barrel). The timing of your third is really a stylistic preference - getting it earlier delays your bust slightly but is more economical; getting it later is less economical but lets you hit the earliest and strongest timing.
58 Overlords x5
58-100 21 Roaches (Push out as soon as all Roaches complete)
100 Overlord x2
100-116 Speedlings
Morph in 20+ Banelings across the field and bust.

The Second Barrel (10:30-11:30) - 2 Overseers, 21 Speed Roaches, 20 Speed Banelings, 20 Speed Zerglings with +1/+1 Upgrades (Exact count/time may vary)

Note: Supply becomes very tentative / situational for remainder of this build order, so I will just list the important steps. More details will be given in the "Benchmarks" section.

Start a third base (could be started as early as 8:00 or as late as 11:00).

Start 2-2 Upgrades and then an Infestation Pit. Infestors and/or Spire are optional. Some players like having 12~ Mutalisks with constantly upgraded air attack to 1) help shut down drops and 2) transition into Broodlords later. Some players like to get mid-game Infestors to use Fungal Growth. Both tech options can be useful, but will delay Ultralisk tech. For this reason, I prefer skip them both and relying on Zerglings/Banelings/Static Defence to shut down drops, then later mix in a few Infestors to fungal for cost-efficient late-game engagements. Choose the approach that appeals to you.

Regardless of your stylistic preference, you should aim to fully-saturate your third base, with the gases (66+ Drones). Once you've reached full three-base saturation, you should take a fourth and produce nothing but Speedlings (with some Banelings in case you're pressured). You can produce a macro hatch if your injects/larva production slips.

Start your Hive (roughly 13:00-14:00~)

This is the period of the game where you're most spread out, so Terran can push and drop you. Plant static defense as necessary (but do not let this cut into your 3-base saturation!), and make sure you're frequently spending your Larva on Zerglings, periodically adding some Banelings. Map vision is also essential (Overlords, Xel-Naga, Spotting Ling).

You must have some static defenses at your main and 3rd, and eventually at your fourth. My usual preference is 2 spine/2spore at the main, third, and fourth. Try creeping to your fourth and breaking any impeding rocks to help you defend, and don't be afraid to split your army up at different locations to deal with multi-pronged aggression.

Produce some Drones for your 4th (aim for about 75-80 Workers on 4 bases) and get your 7th/8th gases ASAP. Defend your 4th with static defenses (and get some in the main if you haven't yet).

When Hive finishes, start Adrenal Glands, Ultralisk Cavern (upgrade Chitinous Plating), 3-3 Upgrades. Produce Ultralisks/Speedlings/Banelings (optional Infestors or Mutalisks).

The Final Barrel (17:30-18:30) - 2 Overseers, 5 Ultralisks, 60 Banelings, 60 Cracklings with +3/+3 Upgrades (Exact count/time may vary)

If the game continues, try to deny the Terran fourth while holding onto yours. You can also take a 5th. It is possible to mix in Vipers or Broodlords in the very-late stages. Be creative and create your own fourth barrel :D

Note: Benchmarks are an effective way to plan your build order steps and mark your progress. In this section, I've created a benchmark for every minute of the game (except the first minute). Naturally, games won't always follow this strict format, but understanding these benchmarks will still help you keep focused in situations where things go wrong. For example, if your opponent throws you off with some sort of super-early Hellion Banshee aggression, you will be forced to deviate from these benchmarks to defend (Extra Queens, Spores, Spinecrawler). Once you have defended, you can still proceed along the listed steps. In an unusual game like this, you may reach your 8 Minute benchmark (fully-saturated 2 bases with +1/+1 researching) at 9 Minutes or later; but the overall sequence stays the same.
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Pool must be started by 2:00. Try to double-mine the 4 closest patches to your hatchery.
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Hatchery must be started by 3:00. Try to maintain double-mining on closer patches when you fill the gas and expand.
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4:00 Minute Benchmark


Pull your workers out of gas around 3:30 (@ 100Gas for Speed), and ensure every patch in the main is double mining before rallying your Hatchery to the expansion minerals (16/24 Drones).

You make Zerglings from 18-21 supply, be sure to immediately hot-key your Zergling eggs in control group 1 (While selecting 3 Zerglings Eggs, Hold Control and Press 1).
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5:00 Minute Benchmark


Your first inject should finish by 5:00, which you should put into 4 sets of Zerglings (26-30 supply). You can start your Queen and then an Overlord right away on 30.

Immediately add your 4 new sets of Zerglings to control group 1 (While selecting 4 new Zergling Eggs, Hold Shift and Press 1)
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6:00 Minute Benchmark


By 6 Minutes, you should have already started your 2nd gas at the expansion and used your double-inject to fill both your main gas and the new gas. Basically you start your Geyser on 36 at your expansion, then when the injects pop build three Drones in the main rallied into the main geyser, and three Drones at the expansion rallied into the expansion geyser (it times out really nicely so get it down )

You should supply block yourself to reach 44 supply by 6:00, then produce 2 Overlords.
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7:00 Minute Benchmark


By 7:00, you should be in the mid-50s of supply with creep spreading out past your expansion. You should still be on 2 geysers, with enough gas to start +1/+1 as soon as the Evolution Chambers finish.



Also by 7:00, you should have 16 Drones mining at the main and the expansion (ie. 38 Drones.)
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8:00 Minute Benchmark


This is absolutely the most crucial benchmark - by 8:00 you should have reached 60 supply then produced 1/1 Upgrades, the Lair, the Roach Warren, and the Baneling Nest. Use these structures as part of the wall.

8:00 Minute Benchmark - 2 Hatcheries, 3 Queens, 44 Drones (Fully-Saturating 2 Bases), 4 Gas, 2 Evo Chambers (upgrading 1/1) 5+ Creep Tumours, Roach Warren, Baneling Nest.



Also by 8:00, you should have a fully-saturated main and natural with all 4 gas geysers (ie. 44 Drones). This is the economy that you will use to build up your second barrel. The 8 Min mark is the earliest that you can start your third with this build (you can delay as late as 11 Min).
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9:00 Minute Benchmark


After reaching your ideal economy with the 8 Minute Benchmark, you should produce 5 Overlords (freeing to 100 supply) then to move into double speed upgrades and unit production. Produce the Roaches first, all the way up to 100 supply (intentional supply block).
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10:00 Minute Benchmark


As you produce these Roaches from 58-100 supply, continuously add the new Roach eggs to control group 2 (Hold Shift and Press 2). This is a great time to practice your de-select mechanics (you don't want to add extra Larva to control group 2, only the eggs that will be Roaches. De-select excess Larva before you Hold Shift and Press 1.

Assuming your Hatchery is on control group 4 and your Roaches are on control group 1, it should look like this:

4 S R (Select your Hatchery Larva then hold "R" until you can't produce more Roaches).
Hold Control + Left Click Eggs (De-Selects excess Larva)
Hold Shift + 2 (Adds only the Roach-Eggs to control group 2)
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11:00 Minute Benchmark


By 11:00, your Speed upgrades and your 1/1 should be finished - meaning it's time to bust the Terran front with Roaches, Zerglings, and Banelings. Don't forget to bring an Overseer with this attack for the Widow Mines!

Your third base should never be started later than 11:00.
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12:00 Minute Benchmark


By 12:00, your third should be either finished or very close, so you should start Droning. Make sure you do have a control-group with some Zerglings to defend drops BEFORE producing Drones for the third (otherwise just 1 Medivac with Marines can kill your third).

You should also start your 2/2 Upgrades and Infestation Pit.
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13:00 Minute Benchmark


By 13:00, your third should be fully saturated (66+ Drones). Creep should be expanding out into the map, and your Hive should be started. You have the option of mixing Spire or Infestors into your mid-game to deal with drops, and static defences can be very helpful as well.
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14:00 Minute Benchmark


By 14:00, you should be about ready to start your Hive upgrades - +3/+3, Ultralisk Cavern, Adrenal Glands. You should also have a lot of extra Overlords, and be producing Speedlings with any excess Larva (I'm not producing Speedlings in the picture above, but in a real game I would be).
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15:00 Minute Benchmark


Finally, by 15:00 you should have all of your upgrades on the way - including Chitinous plating. You can start Ultralisk production ASAP, and aim to max-out with Ultralisks, Zerglings, and Banelings before you start any aggression. Your biggest fear is that Terran will execute some sort of multi-pronged push/drop before your Ultralisks come out, and that is why it is so important to produce lots of Speedlings while your Hive is building.

Never let Terran get a fourth base, and don't lose yours!

Note: The purpose/usefulness of the First Barrel Bust (Speedlings) is split into Primary and Secondary Objectives.

Click Here to View the Tutorial: The First Barrel

Primary Objectives:

1) Repel Early Aggression (Reapers/Marines)




One of the most appealing aspects of the Speedling opening is how effective it is against Reapers. The initial 3 sets of Zerglings with the Queen makes dealing with the first Reapers "EZ-Mode". Killing early Reapers is actually pretty huge - he'd love to be able to scout you with them.

2) Throw Off Terran's Opening Build




Then when Speed finishes and you engage the opponent's expansion, ANY deviation from his natural build order is likely to hinder his performance all game long. SCV pulls, time spent repairing, a few SCV kills, etc.
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Secondary Objectives:

1) Kill Enemy Units (Marines/Reapers/Hellions)




2) Deal Economic Damage, Cripple/Kill Opponent




It is not necessary that you do economic damage. However, if he leaves the wall down or techs too quickly without defence, you're going to punish him - sometimes even cripple him.

Note: The purpose/usefulness of the Second Barrel Bust (Roach/Ling/Baneling) is explained into Primary and Secondary Objectives.

Click Here to View the Tutorial: The Second Barrel

Click Here to View the Tutorial: Building Placement (Defensive Purposes)

Primary Objectives:

1) Repel Mid-Game Aggression (Mass Hellions, Bio/Mine Push, Hellion/Marauder All-In)





Because you’re not saturating your third before unit production, you’re very safe against Terran mid-game attacks/all-ins. In fact, you’re hoping Terran will go for some sort of all-in! Just morph your Banes on creep and prepare for a very cost-efficient engagement.

2) Throw Off Terran's Mid-Game





Idle Medivacs!! Most often, Terran prefers to put on some aggression in the middle stages - drops, timing attack. The Second Barrel Bust forces him to be defensive. If he drops, he may lose outright because he needs those units to defend. It's actually a mistake if he tries to drop, because you always make an extra set of Zerglings (with some Banes eventually) to defend drops before/while droning your third.

3) Trade Armies




You want to have a safe period where you can drone to fully-saturate your third, so you must trade armies and kill his units. The good thing is it’s difficult with so many Roaches/Banes be sure to bring an Overseer so you can reset the Widow Mine count too.
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Secondary Objectives:

1) Deal Economic Damage (SCV Kills)




SCV damage is actually a borderline Primary Objective. You should try to connect with his expansion mineral line in a big way, because it's a critical time to do crippling damage.

2) Destroy Tech, Production, and Supply Buildings




Destroying add-ons like Reactors and Tech Labs, in addition to supply depots, can really set back a Terran's mid-game - making you safer to squeeze out an even larger late-game lead. The Third Barrel Ultralisks are starting to look bigger and bigger...

3) Determine Tech Choice - Mech or Bio?



It is impossible for Terran to prevent your push from scouting his unit composition - he needs his units to defend! This helps you plan your mid-late stages (ie. get Range attack for Roaches if he's going mech or prepare for drops if you see reactor'd Starport)

Thank you all for reading, and especially for taking the time to click this section. I know that many of you have been following since my first WoL guides and I really appreciate the support over the years! To any newcomers, again I want to thank you for reading and promise that this will not be my last guide! Aside from telling your friends and clan mates about this guide, I'd like to ask you all for three quick favours:

1) Sign-up at www.TangStarcraft.com

- It's 100% free to sign up on my website, where you can find guides and other helpful resources as well as information about how you can become a part of Team All-Inspiration!

2) View my SC2 Coaching Profile

- I've been coaching SC2 for nearly three years, and I've worked with students from every continent except Antarctica (I'm offering a discount for Antarcticans to change that! )

3) Send a replay to a professional caster

- Since I first watched a game of SC2 casted by Husky, it has been huge personal goal to have a game casted by a professional. It would be an absolute honour if one of the triple barrel bust replays was casted, so I hope you'll take a moment to help me by sending an email + replay to HuskyReplays@gmail.com, with a quick note explaining why you want to see it casted.

Thank you all so much and GL HF!
Tim / TangSC