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[PiG Strategy Articles] Defending Archon Drops in ZvP

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
5 CommentsPost a Reply

[PiG Strategy Articles] Defending Archon Drops in ZvP

Text byTL Strategy
Graphics byNixer
March 13th, 2017 16:08 GMT
The PiG DailyDefending Archon Drops in ZvPOther TipsVODs



PiG Daily Articles




Welcome to the PiG Daily strategy article! The PiG Daily is a show by Jared "PiG" Krensel that focuses on StarCraft 2 strategy and becoming a better player. We've joined forces to create an article series that summarizes his dailies into short, digestible articles that provide insight on builds, tactics and game sense. By combining with Spawning Tool, this series will bring you the most comprehensive learning experience for build orders and strategies.

How to use Spawning Tool

We highly recommend using Spawning Tool in order to follow the basics of these builds. The PiG Daily and our strategy articles will serve as supplementary guides to understand the subtleties behind each decision.

A drop is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get—unless it's a thor. In that case, a warp prism drop is like a box of chocolates with a wormhole inside, because you get the drop and a whole package of goodies from the other side. Defending warp prism drops, especially as zerg, can be quite difficult, and an archon gift box is a special kind of nuisance. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate the damage.

Link to the Spawning Tool Build

Defending Archon Drops in ZvP






The key to defending an archon drop is scouting. Archons are high up the tech tree, so finding tech buildings while they're being built is a crucial first step. Here's what a typical Archon-drop build will look like:

Common archon drop build after expansion
Early Mothership Core
~2:25 twilight council
~3:00 robo
3x gateways
Only 1-2 gateway units until the DT warp-in


Typically, your scouting will be limited after seeing the robotics facility, unless your opponent completely skips the stalker in favor of adept pressure. Denying scouting is important for the protoss, however, so a stalker or sentry should shoo your overlords away. The early combination of a twilight council and robo, as well as a lack of units, should clue you in that something is afoot.

Sorry, you don't have HTML5 video and we didn't catch this properly in javascript. You can try to view the gif directly: http://giant.gfycat.com/FlamboyantTastyHylaeosaurus.gif.



Once you get an inkling of their build, responding to the potential drop requires you to set up appropriately. The strength of the archon and warp prism drop lies in the fact that archons have a lot of shields, and can therefore absorb a lot of damage before going off to recharge their shields. Zerglings and queens barely tickle archons, so it is important to get roaches for your defense while queens focus on the warp prism. Once you scout the build, this is how you react after your opening:

Defending archon drops
If you scout no early pressure and lots of tech, saturate your main and natural as soon as possible
Maximum 10 drones at your third
~3:45 Lair
~3:50 roach warren
~4:00 2 extra queens
@100% roach warren -> maximum 10 roaches for defense
~4:30 spores in your natural and third base
If you're comfortable defending, return to droning


Other Tips



  • Your queens should ALWAYS be targeting the warp prism. Shield damage to the archons will not matter unless the warp prism falls. The weaker the prism, the shorter the amount of time archons are allowed to stay and harass.
  • Pull back your overlords - If the protoss discovers they can't do damage, your overlords will be next on the hit list.
  • Send a few zerglings (they won't help that much with defense, anyway) to deny their third base. They won't have many units if they rush for the archon drop, and it's important to keep the protoss honest.
  • Don't chase the warp prism too far, because queens off creep are easy pickings for archons.
  • They will abuse the high ground, so make sure to have overlords in a safe distance to spot for you.
  • Your queens will have to dance between bases. Keep one eye on the minimap and anticipate the prism's movements. The more you can shoot at it and lower its HP, the less of a threat it can be.
  • A weakened prism will never risk dropping if there are queens in place. All protoss players know that sinking feeling when a zerg is on point with those queens ready to shoot down the prism.
  • Be ready to sacrifice an overseer or two in order to find out what the protoss is doing. If you see the warp prism head all the way back home, you can send your units across the map to deny or pressure a potential third base.
  • If you don't see the protoss transitioning by taking a third base at ~6:00 to 6:30, mass units off 3-4 gas. An all-in is likely on its way.
  • If you lose track of the warp prism's location, leave 6 roaches between your bases to defend, just in case.


Sorry, you don't have HTML5 video and we didn't catch this properly in javascript. You can try to view the gif directly: http://giant.gfycat.com/PettyHarmlessGroundhog.gif.





VODs






Notice how Losira's queens are always on the edges of his bases and creep. The warp prism has to skirt around inefficient drop areas, and that gives the zerg time to react and defend. Losira also scouts well during this game, and he isn't surprised when Stats walks across the map with his chargelot archon immortal timing. This is a natural follow up to an archon drop, so watch out for a potential fake third. If the protoss stops building workers, it's probably an all-in.



Brought to you by the TL Strategy Team
Writer: PiG/TL Strategy
Graphics: shiroiusagi
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[PkF] Wire
Profile Joined March 2013
France24193 Posts
March 13 2017 17:31 GMT
#2
Great advice as usual !
Xamo
Profile Joined April 2012
Spain877 Posts
March 13 2017 19:02 GMT
#3
Awesome!
My life for Aiur. You got a piece of me, baby. IIIIIIiiiiiii.
RobbieP
Profile Joined February 2016
United States2 Posts
March 14 2017 10:28 GMT
#4
"Defending Archon Drops in ZvT" I need to put my pants on for this!
THERIDDLER
Profile Joined July 2014
Canada116 Posts
March 14 2017 14:07 GMT
#5
Hey pig you know why all ur strategies work? Because all your builds start with:
"0:00 give 200 ping to your opponent"

User was warned for this post
Please don't fricken hack, its just a game.
Svile
Profile Joined November 2016
Mexico2 Posts
March 14 2017 22:14 GMT
#6
Wow, this is great!
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