• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 21:14
CEST 03:14
KST 10:14
  • 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
Code S Season 1 - RO8 Preview4[ASL21] Ro8 Preview Pt2: Progenitors8Code S Season 1 - RO12 Group A: Rogue, Percival, Solar, Zoun13[ASL21] Ro8 Preview Pt1: Inheritors16[ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt2: All Star10
Community News
Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !7Weekly Cups (April 27-May 4): Clem takes triple0RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event12Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO12 Results12026 GSL Season 1 Qualifiers25
StarCraft 2
General
Code S Season 1 - RO8 Preview Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book Weekly Cups (April 27-May 4): Clem takes triple Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO12 Results
Tourneys
Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule ! GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players
External Content
Mutation # 524 Death and Taxes The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 523 Firewall Mutation # 522 Flip My Base
Brood War
General
Quality of life changes in BW that you will like ? Tulbo's ASL S21 Ro8 Post-Review Why there arent any 256x256 pro maps? Do we have a pimpest plays list? BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 [ASL21] Ro8 Day 4 Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Fighting Spirit mining rates What's the deal with APM & what's its true value Any training maps people recommend?
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Daigo vs Menard Best of 10 Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread OutLive 25 (RTS Game)
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
G2 just beat GenG in First stand
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
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread UK Politics Mega-thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread The Letting Off Steam Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
streaming software Strange computer issues (software) [G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How EEG Data Can Predict Gam…
TrAiDoS
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1279 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
Spain18289 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
Sweden592 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
France24238 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
Bisutopia19345 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
Sweden592 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
Bisutopia19345 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
Denmark3491 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 States33603 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
Bisutopia19345 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
Replay Cast
00:00
2026 GSL S1: Ro8 Group A
CranKy Ducklings73
Liquipedia
OSC
22:00
OSC Elite Rising Star #19
davetesta25
Liquipedia
The PiG Daily
21:20
Best Games of SC
Maru vs TBD
Maru vs Classic
herO vs Solar
ByuN vs Solar
PiGStarcraft500
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
PiGStarcraft500
SpeCial 151
RuFF_SC2 108
NeuroSwarm 35
StarCraft: Brood War
NaDa 29
Dota 2
monkeys_forever380
Counter-Strike
Doublelift2682
Other Games
gofns15613
tarik_tv9723
C9.Mang0365
JimRising 361
ViBE81
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick2742
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• musti20045 146
• RyuSc2 32
• Sammyuel 10
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Other Games
• Scarra3021
Upcoming Events
CranKy Ducklings
8h 46m
RSL Revival
8h 46m
SHIN vs Bunny
ByuN vs Shameless
WardiTV Invitational
9h 46m
Krystianer vs TriGGeR
Cure vs Rogue
SC Evo League
11h 46m
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
13h 46m
BSL
17h 46m
Artosis vs TerrOr
spx vs StRyKeR
Replay Cast
22h 46m
Sparkling Tuna Cup
1d 8h
RSL Revival
1d 8h
Cure vs Zoun
Clem vs Lambo
WardiTV Invitational
1d 9h
[ Show More ]
BSL
1d 17h
Dewalt vs DragOn
Aether vs Jimin
GSL
2 days
Afreeca Starleague
2 days
Soma vs Leta
Wardi Open
2 days
Monday Night Weeklies
2 days
OSC
2 days
CranKy Ducklings
3 days
Afreeca Starleague
3 days
Light vs Flash
Replay Cast
4 days
Replay Cast
4 days
The PondCast
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
RSL Revival
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Escore Tournament S2: W6
WardiTV TLMC #16
Nations Cup 2026

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
ASL Season 21
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
Acropolis #4
KK 2v2 League Season 1
SCTL 2026 Spring
RSL Revival: Season 5
2026 GSL S1
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2

Upcoming

BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
YSL S3
Escore Tournament S2: W7
Escore Tournament S2: W8
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Maestros of the Game 2
2026 GSL S2
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026: Closed Qualifier
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
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 © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.