• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 16:27
CEST 22:27
KST 05:27
  • 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 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview3[ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies21Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO12 Preview2herO wins GSL Code S Season 1 (2026)5Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO4 & Finals Preview5
Community News
Weekly Cups (May 18-25): MaxPax wins doubles0Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League4Weekly Cups (May 11-17): Classic wins double0Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO8 Results2Weekly Cups (May 4-10): Clem, MaxPax, herO win1
StarCraft 2
General
Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview Weekly Cups (May 18-25): MaxPax wins doubles herO wins GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO12 Preview Weekly Cups (May 11-17): Classic wins double
Tourneys
Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League GSL Code S Season 2 (2026) GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players
External Content
Mutation # 527 Hell Train The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 526 Rubber and Glue Mutation # 525 Wheel of Misfortune
Brood War
General
Pros React To: ASL S21 Finals BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ ASL21 General Discussion 25 Years Since Brood War Patch 1.08 [ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies
Tourneys
[ASL21] Grand Finals [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Any training maps people recommend? Muta micro map competition [G] Hydra ZvZ: An Introduction Fighting Spirit mining rates
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread Dawn of War IV ZeroSpace Megathread
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming
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
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Trading/Investing Thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Dating: How's your luck? European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
streaming software Strange computer issues (software)
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Customization Drives Loyalty…
TrAiDoS
Why RTS gamers make better f…
gosubay
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2428 users

[?] PvZ -> Zealot Speed Into 2 Stargate

Forum Index > Brood War Strategy
Post a Reply
1 2 3 Next All
OptimusTom
Profile Joined October 2009
United States154 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-10 01:28:19
February 10 2010 01:19 GMT
#1
Hey guys, I'm a D level Protoss right now, and I was just wondering your take on this strategy I tried to copy from while watching a stream.

The basis was that versus Zerg, he FE into citadel first, before Stargate. Research Leg Enhancements and throw down another Gateway. As the research ticks away and you pump Zealots from your 1, soon to be 2 gates, put down 2 Stargates and pump Corsairs. As soon as the speed upgrade finishes, rush out with whatever Zealots you have and harass the crap out of their Overlords with your massive Corsair army. You can either deny a 3rd, rush into the main and take out the pool/hydra den/spire, or go straight for workers.

I'm just curious as to what everyone else's take is on this (I browsed around the forum and didn't seem to see anything referring to this idea). I for one have crushed almost all of my recent Zerg opponents at the D/D+ level with this idea. It seems fairly weak against an early ling all-in, as I found out the hard way. But if protected properly, this seems to do massive damage to most zergs. I guess my question is, does this work for anyone else? Or for people at higher levels?

I'll try posting a replay as soon as I find out how ><;

[EDIT: Here's an example of me loosely using this idea against a Zerg on Destination. The only real difference here is instead of throwing up a lot of Gateways, I rushed observers after my first few Zealots to anticipate the Lurker counter I seem to always see. Causes the game to be drawn out very long. That and I suck at base management. Most games are about half as long as this ^^;

http://repdepot.net/replay.php?id=31096 ]
De4ngus
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
United States6533 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-10 01:51:01
February 10 2010 01:49 GMT
#2
First of all, this build isn't any weaker vs zergling all-ins than any other build is after fe. Second, I don't get what you're trying to achieve with this OP.

"Hey look I always win, will I keep winning?"

BTW you should know that it works at "higher levels" since you saw it on stream in the first place -_-

Here is a pro game of it anyway.

GANDHISAUCE
OptimusTom
Profile Joined October 2009
United States154 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-10 01:58:14
February 10 2010 01:56 GMT
#3
I was just curious on people's opinions on the build, how reliable it could be, if there's some sort of counter that completely rapes it I ave yet to encounter. After all, I read the rules and the [?] is a request for information, unless I'm mistaken? I appreciate the VOD though, thank you very much. And true, the build shouldn't die to ling all-ins more than any other, that is probably just my lack of skill.

EDIT: The stream I was watching at the time was of a C- player, so I was also curious as to if it held up in levels beyond that, or as you cited in the pros.
Ftrunkz
Profile Blog Joined April 2007
Australia2474 Posts
February 10 2010 01:57 GMT
#4
a teammate of mine who's a high level zerg said this build is really popular atm and he struggles with it, it works really well because a lot of zergs will counter an early spinning forge (expected early +1 zealot attack) by going muta. then the duel stargates come into play and the sairs rape the overlords and the +1 zealots have a field day on zerglings.

I'm yet to try it tho, but it seems as if like most +1 zealot attacks, good sim city would simply stop it and lots of scourge will stop the corsair threat as usual.
@NvPinder on twitter | Member of Gamecom Nv | http://www.clan-ta.com | http://www.youtube.com/user/ftrunkz | http://www.twitchtv.com/xghpinder
Stone
Profile Joined February 2009
United Kingdom155 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-10 02:05:34
February 10 2010 01:58 GMT
#5
OptimusTom, ur not alone with this build bud, its become quite common for p to open with speed zeal after FE, although perhaps not so common to switch into 2 stargate afterwords. i believe the trick is determining from early recon wether or not to attack before speed finishes, and or to ajust the timing of your build based on zergs early build. Their are alot of variations of when to time the attack with the zealots.
Usurper
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Macedonia283 Posts
February 10 2010 02:01 GMT
#6
On February 10 2010 10:19 OptimusTom wrote:
Hey guys, I'm a D level Protoss right now, and I was just wondering your take on this strategy I tried to copy from while watching a stream.

The basis was that versus Zerg, he FE into citadel first, before Stargate. Research Leg Enhancements and throw down another Gateway. As the research ticks away and you pump Zealots from your 1, soon to be 2 gates, put down 2 Stargates and pump Corsairs. As soon as the speed upgrade finishes, rush out with whatever Zealots you have and harass the crap out of their Overlords with your massive Corsair army. You can either deny a 3rd, rush into the main and take out the pool/hydra den/spire, or go straight for workers.

I'm just curious as to what everyone else's take is on this (I browsed around the forum and didn't seem to see anything referring to this idea). I for one have crushed almost all of my recent Zerg opponents at the D/D+ level with this idea. It seems fairly weak against an early ling all-in, as I found out the hard way. But if protected properly, this seems to do massive damage to most zergs. I guess my question is, does this work for anyone else? Or for people at higher levels?

I'll try posting a replay as soon as I find out how ><;

[EDIT: Here's an example of me loosely using this idea against a Zerg on Destination. The only real difference here is instead of throwing up a lot of Gateways, I rushed observers after my first few Zealots to anticipate the Lurker counter I seem to always see. Causes the game to be drawn out very long. That and I suck at base management. Most games are about half as long as this ^^;

http://repdepot.net/replay.php?id=31096 ]


I've watched Nony going this build few days ago when he was streaming, and i liked it very much. His execution was top notch, rushing into Zerg sim cities with 8+ Speedlots (+1), and after the 3rd is down (and all Zeals have burned down due to Mutas - who have just popped out - or zerglings), you have like 4 Corsairs in base to start terrorizing the skies.
I love humanity. It is people that i can't stand.
KwarK
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States44012 Posts
February 10 2010 02:03 GMT
#7
Basically the fast zealot speed is a cheese designed to hit at a weird timing and fuck up a 3 hat lair zerg while the 2 stargate is your way of getting out of it if shit goes wrong or if the zerg survives with a bad eco but muta tech. It actually functions quite similarly to the old speedlot into archon build. The difference is that modern zergs have such good muta micro that archons cannot protect a probe line, especially with buildings blocking them. As such you need corsairs, and corsairs in sufficient numbers to stop a mutascourge allin wiping them out. You shouldn't always build up a fuckload of corsairs, that's situational and very bad (because v late storm) in the wrong contexts. But 150 gas thrown down for the extra production capacity is cheap and will save you if he has the muta. That's basically how and why it works.
It's not a build designed for general use. It's a specific situational build to exploit a zerg with poor scouting doing a specific build.

Don't do it every game but do be aware of it.
ModeratorThe angels have the phone box
KwarK
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States44012 Posts
February 10 2010 02:07 GMT
#8
On February 10 2010 10:57 Ftrunkz wrote:
I'm yet to try it tho, but it seems as if like most +1 zealot attacks, good sim city would simply stop it and lots of scourge will stop the corsair threat as usual.

A careless zerg will often sim city at the standard timing (especially because his 4th and 5th hats are usually a part of it). This build hits before then.

A protoss with +1 air (standard with double stargate) and stacked corsairs will eat through scourge like they're not even there.
ModeratorThe angels have the phone box
Drums
Profile Joined February 2009
United States35 Posts
February 10 2010 02:20 GMT
#9
I was watching Nony's stream the other day and he used this build in every PvZ he did on tornado. So it works some what i higher levels. But nony was on his C+ account so he was playing kids that would lose to him no matter what he did. But what i did see is that he didnt kill any of the zerg straight up with it. BEcuase as zerg you look at the forge and see if the +1 is spinning. most of the zergs were ready for it and countered with a wall, good placed sunks and hydra's. Muta is a bad counter becuase of the dual stargate sair. That is imo anyways. and there are a few C/C+ zergs on my team that say mutas are bad counter. But over all the +1 speed lot timing attack build is good, Im C- protoss and iv been doing farely well with it. But like anything in this game, It has a counter it will never win you every game, and for builds to work you have to understand the goals of the build and how to execute them and how to recover and make the right decisions if it fails. Most of the time i seen nony retreating back to his base with what ever 4 or 5 lots he had left to defend while throwing up cannons and waiting for storms. So be scared of a hydra break if you do no damage, Cuz yo storms will be lait boy.

gg gl
why do i suck so bad?
Manlot
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Mexico111 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-10 02:27:31
February 10 2010 02:25 GMT
#10
I think I saw nony doing it with subtle differences. For example, sometimes he would make citadel first then gate then 2 SG. Sometimes He would make 2 SG fisrt. I think it's a pretty cool build if you know how to make those subtle changes.

Altought maybe I didn't paid enought atention.
OptimusTom
Profile Joined October 2009
United States154 Posts
February 10 2010 02:33 GMT
#11
On February 10 2010 11:25 Manlot wrote:
I think I saw nony doing it with subtle differences. For example, sometimes he would make citadel first then gate then 2 SG. Sometimes He would make 2 SG fisrt. I think it's a pretty cool build if you know how to make those subtle changes.

Altought maybe I didn't paid enought atention.


No, you're right. I've seen Nony do this a lot too. I'm pretty sure his timing and build choice depends on scouting information. He goes the Stargates first almost every time he can't scout information to see if it's a muta based or hydra based build. The advantages vs mutas are obvious, but vs hydras it lets yo stack your 4-6 corsairs and go to town on their supply limit. Since they have a bunch of hydras already, it really messes with them.
Xiphos
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
Canada7507 Posts
February 10 2010 02:37 GMT
#12
Can't Lurkers rape this build?
2014 - ᕙ( •̀ل͜•́) ϡ Raise your bows brood warriors! ᕙ( •̀ل͜•́) ϡ
da_head
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Canada3350 Posts
February 10 2010 02:43 GMT
#13
On February 10 2010 11:37 Xiphos wrote:
Can't Lurkers rape this build?

that's what i was thinking :S
When they see MC Probe, all the ladies disrobe.
kineSiS-
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
Korea (South)1068 Posts
February 10 2010 02:44 GMT
#14
What if you went 5 hatch hydra... ignoring the other BO which 3 Hatch Spire --> 5 Hatch Hydra. Because then your hatcheries would be put up so much faster, and my hydras out so much quicker, how would this build fair with a zerg that can simcity?
KwarK
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States44012 Posts
February 10 2010 02:48 GMT
#15
It's a situational build. Yes, in many situations it is raped. However those are the situations in which it should not be used. The key to this build is knowing when to use it and when not to. It is not a standard build for general use.
ModeratorThe angels have the phone box
OptimusTom
Profile Joined October 2009
United States154 Posts
February 10 2010 02:50 GMT
#16
On February 10 2010 11:44 kineSiS- wrote:
What if you went 5 hatch hydra... ignoring the other BO which 3 Hatch Spire --> 5 Hatch Hydra. Because then your hatcheries would be put up so much faster, and my hydras out so much quicker, how would this build fair with a zerg that can simcity?


It would rape, I've had it done to me. The zerg just needs to scout very well.

Lurkers do work too, but normally after the timing of the zealot attack I push out against with 12 or so more zealots, getting pushed back by lurkers, After that, I have enough time for about 4 gateways of Zealots Dragoons, and teched to Observers in response. Then the lurkers kind of melt, unless the map is destination with the bridges like the replay I posted.
Manlot
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Mexico111 Posts
February 10 2010 02:50 GMT
#17
Probably the corsairs would pop out around 5:40, maybe 5:20 if you cut probes, and that would help against those builds because you would be able to scout them.
Neon_Monkey
Profile Joined February 2008
United States270 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-10 02:55:39
February 10 2010 02:51 GMT
#18
The build can work out really well, but it can also backfire. If zerg responds to your really fast +1 by going lurker tech instead of a spire, then he can still have hydra tech ready by the time your corsairs become a threat.

I don't have much experience against this, but I had little trouble holding off this rush against Nony a few days ago by only making 5 mutalisks to fend off the initial rush before transitioning into hydra tech. Of course despite being handed 2 waves of zealots with minimal damage, I still ended up getting run over...

If the zerg doesn't anticipate the corsairs and goes the normal 11 mutalisks, then you will probably be in a really good position. I think there was some 30 minute game between Jaedong and Rock on un'goro crater a long time ago where such happened.

On February 10 2010 11:44 kineSiS- wrote:
What if you went 5 hatch hydra... ignoring the other BO which 3 Hatch Spire --> 5 Hatch Hydra. Because then your hatcheries would be put up so much faster, and my hydras out so much quicker, how would this build fair with a zerg that can simcity?


Pretty badly, but only if their simcity is incredibly good:
http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/games/30528_BackHo_vs_Hyuk/vod
Xiphos
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
Canada7507 Posts
February 10 2010 03:12 GMT
#19
Okay now that I thought about this build, it can be actually be REALLY good versus Zergs. If you see Zergs doing the standard 3-Hatch Mutalisk into 5 Hatch Hydra, then this build would be fine if you get damage Zerg's base with the +1 Speedlot right before the Muta pops up but at that time you have already some Corsairs to defend against it and then continue popping Zealots to maybe end the game. BUT if the other guy goes Hydralisk (instead of Mutalisk), you know that he is not producing any Mutalisk soon, so that's STORM time! since you already have the Citadel and continue teching up for High Templar, WILL melt through the army.
2014 - ᕙ( •̀ل͜•́) ϡ Raise your bows brood warriors! ᕙ( •̀ل͜•́) ϡ
lazz
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Australia3119 Posts
February 10 2010 03:16 GMT
#20
i remember there was a time when i saw a lot of estro protosses use this build in broadcasted games but they ended up losing :/
1 2 3 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 3h 34m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
ByuN 747
mouzHeroMarine 307
LamboSC2 251
IndyStarCraft 126
UpATreeSC 97
ProTech87
JuggernautJason26
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 2994
ggaemo 208
Mini 187
Soulkey 120
firebathero 99
ajuk12(nOOB) 18
NaDa 13
Dota 2
canceldota52
League of Legends
JimRising 272
Counter-Strike
kRYSTAL_25
Super Smash Bros
PPMD31
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu445
Other Games
summit1g7329
Grubby5075
FrodaN1822
Liquid`RaSZi1346
B2W.Neo598
hungrybox560
ceh9458
uThermal124
ArmadaUGS117
C9.Mang068
ViBE6
Organizations
Counter-Strike
PGL318
Other Games
BasetradeTV290
StarCraft 2
angryscii 28
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 18 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 81
• Reevou 2
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• sooper7s
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Migwel
• intothetv
• LaughNgamezSOOP
StarCraft: Brood War
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota2990
• WagamamaTV434
League of Legends
• TFBlade501
Other Games
• imaqtpie1354
• Scarra750
• Shiphtur174
Upcoming Events
PiGosaur Cup
3h 34m
GSL
13h 4m
herO vs Classic
Cure vs Clem
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
18h 34m
Replay Cast
1d 3h
GSL
1d 13h
Maru vs SHIN
Zoun vs Rogue
WardiTV Spring Champion…
1d 15h
SKillous vs Strange
Lambo vs Strange
Ryung vs Strange
Lambo vs Ryung
Ryung vs SKillous
Lambo vs SKillous
OSC
1d 22h
Replay Cast
2 days
Maestros of the Game
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
[ Show More ]
RSL Revival
3 days
Lambo vs SHIN
Solar vs Rogue
herO vs Clem
Maestros of the Game
3 days
IPSL
3 days
ZZZero vs WorsT
Julia vs eOnzErG
Replay Cast
4 days
RSL Revival
4 days
Maestros of the Game
4 days
IPSL
4 days
Dragon vs Artosis
dxtr13 vs Hawk
BSL
4 days
Wardi Open
5 days
Monday Night Weeklies
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
6 days
WardiTV Spring Champion…
6 days
Maestros of the Game
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

ASL Season 21
2026 GSL S1
Heroes Pulsing #1

Ongoing

2026 KK StarCraft Pro League
BSL Season 22
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
KK 2v2 League Season 1
YSL S3
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
SCTL 2026 Spring
WardiTV Spring 2026
2026 GSL S2
RSL Revival: Season 5
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
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

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S2: King of Kings
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Maestros of the Game 2
Bounty Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
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.