• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 13:47
CET 19:47
KST 03:47
  • 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
RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview7RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners12
Community News
Weekly Cups (Dec 1-7): Clem doubles, Solar gets over the hump1Weekly Cups (Nov 24-30): MaxPax, Clem, herO win2BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced15[BSL21] Ro.16 Group Stage (C->B->A->D)4Weekly Cups (Nov 17-23): Solar, MaxPax, Clem win3
StarCraft 2
General
RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview Weekly Cups (Dec 1-7): Clem doubles, Solar gets over the hump Chinese SC2 server to reopen; live all-star event in Hangzhou Maestros of the Game: Live Finals Preview (RO4) BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced
Tourneys
RSL Offline Finals Info - Dec 13 and 14! Tenacious Turtle Tussle 2025 RSL Offline Finals Dates + Ticket Sales! Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament StarCraft2.fi 15th Anniversary Cup
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 504 Retribution Mutation # 503 Fowl Play Mutation # 502 Negative Reinforcement Mutation # 501 Price of Progress
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ [BSL21] RO8 Bracket & Prediction Contest BW General Discussion FlaSh on: Biggest Problem With SnOw's Playstyle Let's talk about Metropolis
Tourneys
[ASL20] Grand Finals [BSL21] RO8 - Day 2 - Sunday 21:00 CET [BSL21] RO8 - Day 1 - Saturday 21:00 CET Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Game Theory for Starcraft Fighting Spirit mining rates Current Meta
Other Games
General Games
Dawn of War IV Path of Exile Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Awesome Games Done Quick 2026! Nintendo Switch Thread
Dota 2
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 Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Survivor II: The Amazon Sengoku Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine US Politics Mega-thread YouTube Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion!
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
TL+ Announced Where to ask questions and add stream?
Blogs
How Sleep Deprivation Affect…
TrAiDoS
I decided to write a webnov…
DjKniteX
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Thanks for the RSL
Hildegard
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1888 users

Supply Generator Build Time Equivalency?

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
Less_Du_Et
Profile Joined August 2014
United States18 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-08-03 06:51:04
August 03 2020 06:38 GMT
#1
Simple Question -

Why does a pylon and an overlord have a build time of 18 seconds while the supply depot has a build time of 21 seconds?

This difference amounts to a lot of build time over a course of any game.
Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
MockHamill
Profile Joined March 2010
Sweden1798 Posts
August 03 2020 07:15 GMT
#2
On August 03 2020 15:38 Less_Du_Et wrote:
Simple Question -

Why does a pylon and an overlord have a build time of 18 seconds while the supply depot has a build time of 21 seconds?

This difference amounts to a lot of build time over a course of any game.


Terran players are on average 21/18=16.7% more skilled compared to Zerg and Protoss players.
So Blizzard compensated for this fact by increasing the supply build time for Terran by 16.7%.
I can not find the source right now, but this is the explanation that makes the most sense.
krlwlzn
Profile Joined July 2016
118 Posts
August 03 2020 07:25 GMT
#3
Why are overlords a unit which can fly, whereas the supply depot and the pylon are buildings that can't even move?
Zoar
Profile Joined February 2013
United States39 Posts
August 03 2020 07:32 GMT
#4
Hatcheries provide 6(was 2) supply, nexii 15(was 11) supply, and command centers 15(was 11) supply.
that may have something to do with it
SpaceBoar
Profile Joined November 2019
52 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-08-03 08:48:04
August 03 2020 07:52 GMT
#5
It's called asymmetric RTS design.
Serral | soO | HeroMarine | SpeCial
Acrofales
Profile Joined August 2010
Spain18146 Posts
August 03 2020 07:52 GMT
#6
Why do zerglings have a build time of 17 seconds, marines of 18 and zealots 27?
dbRic1203
Profile Joined July 2019
Germany2655 Posts
August 03 2020 08:33 GMT
#7
Why can Terrans Build their Buildings everywhere, while Zergs need Creep and Protoss need an Energy Field?
MaxPax
Perfi2_0
Profile Joined July 2015
Poland40 Posts
August 03 2020 08:49 GMT
#8
Why do Protoss have sOs and Parting, while Zergs and Terrans don't?
Imbalance is an opinion.
Drfilip
Profile Joined March 2013
Sweden591 Posts
August 03 2020 09:44 GMT
#9
On August 03 2020 15:38 Less_Du_Et wrote:
Simple Question -

Why does a pylon and an overlord have a build time of 18 seconds while the supply depot has a build time of 21 seconds?

This difference amounts to a lot of build time over a course of any game.

One old thing (iirc) was that quick barracks cheeses were deemed too strong, so the supply depot got nerfed build time to compensate. There has been no reason to revert that change and strengthen proxy rax again.


Going by the trend of this thread:
Why does zerg lose their worker when building, terran has its worker occupied, but protoss just needs to touch the location and then go about their business?
Random Platinum EU
[PkF] Wire
Profile Joined March 2013
France24237 Posts
August 03 2020 09:56 GMT
#10
On August 03 2020 18:44 Drfilip wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 03 2020 15:38 Less_Du_Et wrote:
Simple Question -

Why does a pylon and an overlord have a build time of 18 seconds while the supply depot has a build time of 21 seconds?

This difference amounts to a lot of build time over a course of any game.

Going by the trend of this thread:
Why does zerg lose their worker when building, terran has its worker occupied, but protoss just needs to touch the location and then go about their business?

I don't have the answer to that topical question but this is precisely the reason why I chose to main Protoss when I picked up the game ^^
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19299 Posts
August 03 2020 09:59 GMT
#11
On August 03 2020 16:25 krlwlzn wrote:
Why are overlords a unit which can fly, whereas the supply depot and the pylon are buildings that can't even move?

Supply depots can move, they have burrow. Be more upset that burrowed Terran things doesn't mean invisible.
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
Drfilip
Profile Joined March 2013
Sweden591 Posts
August 03 2020 10:25 GMT
#12
On August 03 2020 18:59 BisuDagger wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 03 2020 16:25 krlwlzn wrote:
Why are overlords a unit which can fly, whereas the supply depot and the pylon are buildings that can't even move?

Supply depots can move, they have burrow. Be more upset that burrowed Terran things doesn't mean invisible.

Mines are invisible, kinda... You are right! Burrowed Zerg means invisible Zerg, but burrowed Terran is not always invisible.
Random Platinum EU
dbRic1203
Profile Joined July 2019
Germany2655 Posts
August 03 2020 10:29 GMT
#13
And Protoss can t even burrow at all
MaxPax
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19299 Posts
August 03 2020 11:19 GMT
#14
On August 03 2020 19:29 dbRic1203 wrote:
And Protoss can t even burrow at all

No, they just start invisible without burrowing and it costs zero energy.
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
ejozl
Profile Joined October 2010
Denmark3463 Posts
August 03 2020 11:24 GMT
#15
Why does Greater Spire cost 300/350, Fleet Beacon 300/200 and Fusion Core only 150/150?
SC2 Archon needs "Terrible, terrible damage" as one of it's quotes.
dbRic1203
Profile Joined July 2019
Germany2655 Posts
August 03 2020 11:34 GMT
#16
Why can the Z Capital Ship not shoot up?
Why has T no mele unit?
Why do all P Tech Buildings require are cyber core, while T can built a factory straight after the barracks?
Why has P so many AoE options?
MaxPax
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33500 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-08-03 12:36:07
August 03 2020 12:33 GMT
#17
If I had to guess, Pylon is slightly faster because it's a prerequisite to buiding a gateway, whereas you could originally build barracks before supply depots. Although, I don't know why that makes Overlord build time shorter as well (OL and Supply depot are equal build times in BW, while pylon is slightly faster).
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
loppy2345
Profile Joined August 2015
39 Posts
August 03 2020 13:05 GMT
#18
Probably because originally in WoL, barrack rushes were really strong, and this was done to delay it. If build time was reduced, it probably won't change balance, but would cause so much outrage in community that Blizzard would not dare to do it.
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19299 Posts
August 03 2020 13:11 GMT
#19
On August 03 2020 21:33 Waxangel wrote:
If I had to guess, Pylon is slightly faster because it's a prerequisite to buiding a gateway, whereas you could originally build barracks before supply depots. Although, I don't know why that makes Overlord build time shorter as well (OL and Supply depot are equal build times in BW, while pylon is slightly faster).

You would be supply blocked for too long at the start of the game if Overlord production was long. Also since it floats around like a balloon, it is a prime target for sniping by air units. So you need to remake them super fast. Overlords are also pretty essential for detection. Overlords are the most vulnerable unit, but pylons are probably more essential depending on what they power. Meanwhile, supply depots are just the picket fence for the jolly Terran people taking it easy behind their tanks and tending to their rose gardens.
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
greenturtle23
Profile Joined August 2019
86 Posts
August 03 2020 13:18 GMT
#20
Why does the 1 supply marine mineral only marine, shoot air and ground while the 2 supply roach which costs gas can only shoot ground?
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 1h 14m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
IndyStarCraft 152
JuggernautJason137
TKL 106
mouzHeroMarine 85
BRAT_OK 75
MindelVK 70
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 20612
Calm 2960
Mini 401
Shuttle 354
EffOrt 247
Dewaltoss 111
ggaemo 77
Oya187 42
Noble 9
Dota 2
Gorgc6053
qojqva2558
LuMiX1
Counter-Strike
fl0m11351
byalli554
chrisJcsgo30
Super Smash Bros
hungrybox191
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor595
Liquid`Hasu419
Other Games
Beastyqt835
ArmadaUGS92
XaKoH 83
OptimusSC21
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick968
WardiTV419
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• HeavenSC 44
• Adnapsc2 15
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV421
League of Legends
• Nemesis2730
Other Games
• imaqtpie1176
• Shiphtur727
Upcoming Events
IPSL
1h 14m
Sziky vs JDConan
BSL 21
1h 14m
Tech vs Cross
Bonyth vs eOnzErG
Replay Cast
14h 14m
Wardi Open
17h 14m
Monday Night Weeklies
22h 14m
Sparkling Tuna Cup
1d 15h
Replay Cast
3 days
The PondCast
3 days
CranKy Ducklings
5 days
SC Evo League
5 days
[ Show More ]
BSL 21
6 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Acropolis #4 - TS3
RSL Revival: Season 3
Kuram Kup

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
YSL S2
BSL Season 21
Slon Tour Season 2
WardiTV 2025
META Madness #9
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22

Upcoming

CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
Big Gabe Cup #3
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
eXTREMESLAND 2025
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 © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.