• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 15:54
CET 21:54
KST 05:54
  • 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 Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners12Intel X Team Liquid Seoul event: Showmatches and Meet the Pros10
Community News
Weekly 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 win3RSL Season 3: RO16 results & RO8 bracket13
StarCraft 2
General
Chinese SC2 server to reopen; live all-star event in Hangzhou Maestros of the Game: Live Finals Preview (RO4) BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced Weekly Cups (Nov 24-30): MaxPax, Clem, herO win SC2 Proleague Discontinued; SKT, KT, SGK, CJ disband
Tourneys
RSL Offline Finals Info - Dec 13 and 14! Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament StarCraft Evolution League (SC Evo Biweekly) Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) $5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 502 Negative Reinforcement Mutation # 501 Price of Progress Mutation # 500 Fright night Mutation # 499 Chilling Adaptation
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Foreign Brood War Data analysis on 70 million replays BW General Discussion MBCGame Torrents
Tourneys
Small VOD Thread 2.0 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL21] RO16 Group D - Sunday 21:00 CET [BSL21] RO16 Group A - Saturday 21:00 CET
Strategy
Current Meta Game Theory for Starcraft How to stay on top of macro? PvZ map balance
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile ZeroSpace Megathread The Perfect Game
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 TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
Russo-Ukrainian War Thread US Politics Mega-thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine The Big Programming Thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion!
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2026 Football Thread
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Where to ask questions and add stream? The Automated Ban List
Blogs
I decided to write a webnov…
DjKniteX
Physical Exertion During Gam…
TrAiDoS
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Thanks for the RSL
Hildegard
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1581 users

[Q] 14, 15 or 16 Hatch?

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
Post a Reply
1 2 3 Next All
CluEleSs_UK
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United Kingdom583 Posts
June 09 2011 21:00 GMT
#1
I've tried search and not really found anything relevant on this topic!

So after listening to many other zergs on different builds, each player seems to have their own time to fast expo. Spanishiwa's original build was a 16 hatch, Idra prefers 15 hatch, I've seen some other players 14 hatch, etc. When I ask why a player hatches at a certain time, I don't seem to get a definitive answer. Answers include

16 hatch is more economic (my question is "why?")
15 hatch is safer (my question is "why?")
14 hatch is safer/gets a better economy later ("what?)

Sorry if I'm perhaps just being a real noob, but I'm a mid diamond level zerg, and have never really understood the benefits of each.


Thanks, and much love

CluEleSs
"If it turns out he is leaving the ESL to focus on cooking crystal meth I'll agree that it is somewhat disgraceful, but I'll hold off judgement until then."
Juddas
Profile Joined January 2011
768 Posts
June 09 2011 21:04 GMT
#2
My best ideas are

16 hatch is the most economic because you will have the income to support it

15/14 hatch being safer is just being able to get it down w/out blocking
Kornholi0
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada634 Posts
June 09 2011 21:06 GMT
#3
13 hatch 15 pool. Gives you ovie at 17 and constant drone production without wasted larva (with perfect macro not hard at the 2 minute mark).
The hatch pops and pool pops at the same time (if you rush the pool the pool will pop after the hatch giving time for creep to spread for spines).

This allows for a virtually non-blockable expo on maps such as Tal, Shakuras, and Shattered. You can get away with it on xel if you sneak the drone around. If they are dead set on blocking you your 2nd ovie should be over the expo anyways and you can transition into a 14g 14p or 15g 15 p.

Of course follow suite with lots of spines and queens with little zerglings made maybe 2 for scouting 4 at most.
Team Channel: VTeX Team Co-leader: AGGhost 223 Stream: http://www.twitch.tv/agghost
Coutcha
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada519 Posts
June 09 2011 21:08 GMT
#4
The later you wait the better the economy but its risky especially in ZvZ

Its not really hard to understand :O
This is what the world is for Making ELECTRICITY :D
CluEleSs_UK
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United Kingdom583 Posts
June 09 2011 21:10 GMT
#5
On June 10 2011 06:08 Coutcha wrote:
The later you wait the better the economy but its risky especially in ZvZ

Its not really hard to understand :O


But why though? Is it simply because you have more drones mining for longer or?
"If it turns out he is leaving the ESL to focus on cooking crystal meth I'll agree that it is somewhat disgraceful, but I'll hold off judgement until then."
garbobjee
Profile Joined February 2011
19 Posts
June 09 2011 21:10 GMT
#6
15 hatch and 14 hatch are safer because you usually get your spawning pool out earlier compared to a later hatch like 16. An earlier pool means you will be able to repel early pressure or harassment sooner.
 (ಠ益ಠ)
Zowon
Profile Joined December 2010
Norway237 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-09 21:15:14
June 09 2011 21:14 GMT
#7
The more drones you make before putting down the hatchery - the stronger your economy will be, because the earlier you make your drones, the better it is for your eco, as they will a have longer mining time.
¯\(シ)/¯
HelloSon
Profile Joined April 2010
United States456 Posts
June 09 2011 21:19 GMT
#8
On June 10 2011 06:10 mcclurg wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 10 2011 06:08 Coutcha wrote:
The later you wait the better the economy but its risky especially in ZvZ

Its not really hard to understand :O


But why though? Is it simply because you have more drones mining for longer or?

Jesus, just think about it. Chances are you are correct.
yo
Kritzkrieg
Profile Joined October 2010
United States57 Posts
June 09 2011 21:19 GMT
#9
I prefer the 13 hatch, but thats due to my preference for early queen play. 15 hatch is a bit more economical, but good injections and better creep spread are more valuable than the mild econ lead youd get from 14 or 15 hatch. Also, 13 hatch gives you a lead on zergs third resource, larvae.

ask yourself what your early game goals are. that question will help you know when to hatch. IMO gassless zerg should hatch as early as possible.
"Check 4 check 5 check 6 check 7 check money check map" -Day9, aka the voice in my head.
Rasun
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States787 Posts
June 09 2011 21:22 GMT
#10
On June 10 2011 06:08 Coutcha wrote:
The later you wait the better the economy but its risky especially in ZvZ

Its not really hard to understand :O


15 hatch is really the only common hatch first ZvZ opening, and many people consider it the most dangerous of the common opening. It is tricky to hold off any planned early aggression and when it turns into ling/bane micro wars your at a disadvantage because you get everything later, and have a hard time making use of your early hatch. I never hatch first ZvZ, its asking to be all-ined.

I know Machine tried it twice in a row against Losira in MLG and got owned very quickly both times. I know that doesn't say a lot about the opening but it does show how risky it can be and how quickly things can go bad if you do it.
"People need to just settle the fuck down!"- Djwheat <3
zezamer
Profile Joined March 2011
Finland5701 Posts
June 09 2011 21:27 GMT
#11
Could someone actually answer his questions instead of posting ton of useless/inaccurate stuff

"
16 hatch is more economic (my question is "why?")
15 hatch is safer (my question is "why?")
14 hatch is safer/gets a better economy later ("what?)

"
darkscream
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Canada2310 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-09 21:32:23
June 09 2011 21:31 GMT
#12
16 hatch more economic - 16 drones = saturation on only minerals, you should try to have 16 drones mining minerals at every expansion

15 hatch 15pool leads to a situation where your nat and pool finish at about the same time, and you have 300 minerals, letting you either take a 3rd, make 2 queens, make 1 queen and some lings/drones.. its safe because the timings on most maps, some rush maps still beat this tho

14 hatch is stupid, if you dont see zerg pros do it (just watch what they make in the first 2 minutes every game) its probably not good. Except for spanishiwa you wont ever see a hatchery before 15 because if youre gonna pool minerals and cut drones to make a building at 14, you do a pool or gas not hatch.

Antpile
Profile Joined March 2009
United States213 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-09 21:39:06
June 09 2011 21:33 GMT
#13
Think about it this way. To make a hatch, you have to stop making drones and save 300. Same with a pool, you gotta stop and save 200.

Now, the more drones you have, the more you mine during that period you aren't making drones. If you stop making drones for 20 seconds, clearly 16 drones will mine more than 13 or 14 drones. This equals better econ. In the early game where you are often waiting on that last 50 minerals to make everything, every mineral counts.

This is further exaggerated by the fact that you will have to stop droning for less time the more drones you have. 16 drones will get you to 300 faster than 14 drones, obviously.

Ergo, the longer you wait, the better your econ. The obvious downside to waiting longer is if you get bunkered or cannon rushed, your defenses are out later. In ZvZ, a speedling all in might overwhelm you if you wait too long. Make sense now?
zezamer
Profile Joined March 2011
Finland5701 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-09 21:35:40
June 09 2011 21:35 GMT
#14
@ darkscream,awesome post, thanks, have been wondering this for a while, +1
Jyan
Profile Joined July 2010
Canada8 Posts
June 09 2011 21:36 GMT
#15
16 hatch is more economic early because you are building drones at all times, no idle larvae. If you want to hatch on 14 or 15 u need to save up minerals for the hatch, and while you are saving you have idle larvae. idle larvae are bad because they could be made into drones, which mine minerals, and give you more money. therefore 16 hatch is the most economical build.

15 hatch is safer because a regular protoss scout will reach you after the hatch goes down(on most maps, in my experiance at least, but im only in the upper diamond region) meaning your hatch wont get blocked.

14 hatch is safer for the same reason, and also has the added benefit of giving you creep at your nat earlier which is very useful for defending terran early pressure builds. I was not aware that it gave you more economy later, but it is probably because you get a 2nd queen and more larvae faster.

tldr; having more drones earlier is good, idle larvae is bad.

I tried to be as thorough with this explanation as possible i hope you now understand.
Hoon
Profile Joined December 2010
Brazil891 Posts
June 09 2011 21:37 GMT
#16
On June 10 2011 06:27 zezamer wrote:
Could someone actually answer his questions instead of posting ton of useless/inaccurate stuff

"
16 hatch is more economic (my question is "why?")
15 hatch is safer (my question is "why?")
14 hatch is safer/gets a better economy later ("what?)

"

The questions were already answered in other threads, you just need to search it.
Also, if you read the posts from this thread you'll have those questions answered as well.
SEn Fanclub: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=170834
agahamsorr0w
Profile Joined April 2011
Netherlands359 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-09 21:41:10
June 09 2011 21:39 GMT
#17
16 hatch will give u more workers faster. A worker gains u 50 minerals in 1.06 min 15 hatch for safety , creep, earlier queen. And 14 hatch should be only used if enemy wants to block you. So now its up to you which one you prefer. I do 15 just because i want the hatch a little bit faster.
Kritzkrieg
Profile Joined October 2010
United States57 Posts
June 09 2011 21:46 GMT
#18
On June 10 2011 06:19 HelloSon wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 10 2011 06:10 mcclurg wrote:
On June 10 2011 06:08 Coutcha wrote:
The later you wait the better the economy but its risky especially in ZvZ

Its not really hard to understand :O


But why though? Is it simply because you have more drones mining for longer or?

Jesus, just think about it. Chances are you are correct.


I think what hes (admittedly poorly) getting at is which is better by say, the 5 minute mark, 13 hatch with "delayed" econ, or 16 hatch with "delayed" larvae.

a larvae spawns every 15 seconds. so its a long-term difference slightly I suppose. just saying, hes not necessarily being an idiot.
"Check 4 check 5 check 6 check 7 check money check map" -Day9, aka the voice in my head.
Ruscour
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
5233 Posts
June 09 2011 21:46 GMT
#19
There was a theorycrafting thread where it was determined that the most economic (pure economic, assuming you make only queens and drones) build was 14 pool 14 hatch.
CluEleSs_UK
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United Kingdom583 Posts
June 09 2011 21:47 GMT
#20
On June 10 2011 06:31 darkscream wrote:
16 hatch more economic - 16 drones = saturation on only minerals, you should try to have 16 drones mining minerals at every expansion

15 hatch 15pool leads to a situation where your nat and pool finish at about the same time, and you have 300 minerals, letting you either take a 3rd, make 2 queens, make 1 queen and some lings/drones.. its safe because the timings on most maps, some rush maps still beat this tho

14 hatch is stupid, if you dont see zerg pros do it (just watch what they make in the first 2 minutes every game) its probably not good. Except for spanishiwa you wont ever see a hatchery before 15 because if youre gonna pool minerals and cut drones to make a building at 14, you do a pool or gas not hatch.



Why exactly is 14 hatch stupid?
"If it turns out he is leaving the ESL to focus on cooking crystal meth I'll agree that it is somewhat disgraceful, but I'll hold off judgement until then."
1 2 3 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
BSL 21
20:00
RO16: Group A
Sziky vs OyAji
Gypsy vs eOnzErG
ZZZero.O327
LiquipediaDiscussion
IPSL
17:00
Ro8 Set 1
Dewalt vs ZZZero
Liquipedia
PSISTORM Gaming Misc
16:55
FSL TeamLeague: ASH vs IC
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
White-Ra 241
Liquid`TLO 155
CosmosSc2 71
DisKSc2 50
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 442
ZZZero.O 327
Dewaltoss 106
Dota 2
Gorgc5140
Fuzer 419
Counter-Strike
fl0m5738
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King75
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu422
Khaldor282
Other Games
Grubby5261
Mlord705
RotterdaM391
Beastyqt381
DeMusliM166
XaKoH 79
Trikslyr59
Livibee42
Organizations
Other Games
EGCTV1350
gamesdonequick715
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 20 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• printf 52
• davetesta22
• Reevou 7
• sooper7s
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• 80smullet 13
• Michael_bg 4
• Pr0nogo 1
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
Dota 2
• Ler117
Other Games
• imaqtpie1752
• Shiphtur234
• tFFMrPink 14
Upcoming Events
OSC
1h 6m
Solar vs Creator
ByuN vs Gerald
Percival vs Babymarine
Moja vs Krystianer
EnDerr vs ForJumy
sebesdes vs Nicoract
Sparkling Tuna Cup
13h 6m
WardiTV 2025
15h 6m
OSC
18h 6m
IPSL
20h 6m
Bonyth vs KameZerg
BSL 21
23h 6m
Bonyth vs StRyKeR
Tarson vs Dandy
Replay Cast
1d 12h
Wardi Open
1d 15h
StarCraft2.fi
1d 19h
Monday Night Weeklies
1d 20h
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
2 days
WardiTV 2025
2 days
StarCraft2.fi
2 days
PiGosaur Monday
3 days
StarCraft2.fi
3 days
Tenacious Turtle Tussle
4 days
The PondCast
4 days
WardiTV 2025
4 days
StarCraft2.fi
4 days
WardiTV 2025
5 days
StarCraft2.fi
6 days
RSL Revival
6 days
IPSL
6 days
Sziky vs JDConan
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-12-04
RSL Revival: Season 3
Eternal Conflict S1

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
YSL S2
BSL Season 21
CSCL: Masked Kings S3
Slon Tour Season 2
Acropolis #4 - TS3
WardiTV 2025
META Madness #9
Light HT
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

BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
Big Gabe Cup #3
RSL Offline Finals
Kuram Kup
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.