EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/X1R1oOn.jpg)
"It's not the voltage that kills. It's that big explosion afterwards!"
Introduction
We're going to proxy a second Gateway and use two Stalkers and a Zealot to pressure the Terran expansion, hopefully securing the low-ground and containing the Terran on one base. From there, we're going to further secure our contain with Shield Batteries and a Void Ray whilst rushing to Tempests as fast as possible. The resultant Tempest/Shield Battery/Cannon setup is incredibly difficult for the Terran to break and has gotten me a LOT of wins on the ladder!
Video Guide
Build Order
- 14 Pylon (Chronoboost Probes Once When Complete)
- 16 Gateway
- 17 Assimilator
- 18 Proxy Pylon
- Cut Probes at 20 Supply!
- 20 Proxy Gateway
- 20 Cybernetics Core
- 20 Zealot
- Resume Probe Production
- 23 Assimilator
- Cut Probes at Full Saturation
- @100% Cybernetics Core: 2x Stalker (Chronoboost Both), Shield Battery, Warpgate Research
- @150 Minerals 150 Gas: Proxy Stargate
- ASAP: Proxy Pylon for Shield Batteries
- @100% Proxy Pylon: 3x Shield Battery
- @100% Stargate: Void Ray (Chronoboost)
- @150 Minerals: Forge
- @300 Minerals 200 Gas: Fleet Beacon
- @100% Fleet Beacon: Tempests!
- If your two Stalker and one Zealot force can't secure the low-ground, make your Shield Battery proxy Pylon outside the Terran natural and assault them from there instead. A Void Ray bust can usually kill the Terran outright if they're not properly prepared. Just remember to get a Sentry so that you can prevent SCVs from mass-repairing Bunkers by using Forcefields!
- Once your contain is solidified, patrol a unit between close-by-air Terran bases to make sure they don't float down a Command Centre without you realising it.
- Make 3 Tempests and then an Oracle if the Terran rushes out Vikings. You need to start picking at them straight away, and the Oracle helps you do that. 3 Tempests two-shot Vikings, so it's a good break-point to use.
- If the Terran doesn't rush out Vikings, go up to 5 Tempests before making an Oracle. You won't need to pick away at the Vikings quite as quickly and 5 Tempests can one-shot Vikings.
- If the Terran tries a Cyclone response, remember that 4 Tempests one-shot Cyclones, and that Cyclones have a hard time getting down a ramp if there are lots of Cannons at the bottom!
This is a very strong contain that you can get to through numerous means. Both Cannon rushes and fast proxy Void Ray builds can also get you there. The reason I prefer this proxy second Gateway opening is because of the added pressure it allows you to put on the Terran in the very early game. I also like it because it can branch out into numerous other follow-ups that the Terran has to adjust differently for. For example, check out my YouTube channel for a solid Dark Templar transition that you can also use after opening with a proxied second Gateway!
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