Hyper-Aggressive ZvT: Tang's Three Barrel Bust

I've written TL threads on aggressive zerg play, but have overlooked the importance of having well-planned transitions. Thus, I've created the "Three Barrel Bust" to help players add structure to their play, simultaneously improving win rate, timings, and mechanics. Execute three separate timing attacks (Hence three barrel bust) against your terran opponent to do damage, secure map control, and obtain scouting information. Also, it gives you three chances to win the game.

Early Game Bust (7:15): 8 Slow Roach/16 Speedling*


Mid Game Bust (11:30): 20 Fast Roach/20 Fast Baneling/20Speedling (And a +1 upgrade)*


Late Game Bust (17:30) 6 Ultra, 48 baneling, 19Roach, 48 Ling*


Note* : All pushes assume no damage has been done to your mineral line. If you are pressured, the attacks may be later or consist of fewer units.
Note** : The Mid and Late game pushes assume you lose 0 units with the previous push(es). The pushes will be smaller depending on how many casualties you suffer when you attack.

Here is an example from the terran perspective (The game begins 30minutes in):
http://www.justin.tv/ignproleague/b/298791823
How ironic is HD's comment at 35 minutes?

Here is a link to a streamed coaching lesson on the "Three Barrel Bust"
http://www.twitch.tv/tangsc/b/299761662

Here is a link to another thread on aggressive zerg (With a 3hr stream lesson):
http://www.twitch.tv/theonlyshaft/b/303148570

Here is an example against xSixPainuser:
http://drop.sc/50243
Here is an example against VTAvilo:
http://drop.sc/51934
Here is an example against GoSuPokebuni:
http://drop.sc/50244
Here is an example against NoxMistakes:
http://drop.sc/50264
Here is an example against Cyrain:
http://drop.sc/51064
Here is an example against KyrO:
http://drop.sc/51070
Here is an example against Sterling:
http://drop.sc/51935

1) Zerg Switch Points:

I define a switch-point as the time when you stop producing drones and begin producing attacking units (Or vice versa). Since this build periodically goes between producing drones and attacking units, students quickly learn how to quickly squeeze out drones needed to execute a timing attack and promptly switch to attacking units at optimal times.

2) Timing Push:

A timing push is an attack that comes at a strategic moment, such as when an upgrade finishes or when your opponent isn't likely to have adequate defense. The best way to learn timing pushes is to practice them and this build incorporates three separate aggressive maneuvers.

3) The Three “M's”: Multitasking/Micro/Macro:

To execute this build optimally, you must put on pressure with your timing attacks (micro) while continuing to produce drones, units, and/or upgrades at your base. This ability to multitask is crucial, not only to this style of play, but really to StarCraft2 in general. By taking the initiative and being aggressive so frequently, every game will improve the Three “M's”.

Note: This is a greedy version of the build and assumes you are not pressured and you suffer no drone deaths. This is NOT entirely uncommon considering how aggressive you're being, as terran will often be on the defensive. Still, in some games you will have to produce additional units to defend at various stages of the game. Example: If your opponent 2rax pressures you, you will need more than 4 lings after pool finishes

9 Overlord
15Hatch (2:10) -Scouting drone sent out-
16Gas (2:30)
15Pool (2:50)
18Overlord (3:35)
18 2xQueen, 2xSet of Ling (4:00)
At 4:15, you will have full saturation at your main (16 drones mining 2 per patch, 3 in gas) Begin rallying both hatcheries to your expansion. Never touch your main mineral line unless you have to, as transferring will lose mining time.
24-28 Drones (Reach 28 at 4:30)
28 Roach Warren (4:45), replace drone, start Ling speed (4:55)
28 2xOverlord (5:10)
28-44 8xRoaches (5:40)
44 2xOverlord (6:10)
8 Roaches Spawn at 6:30, hotkey and move out with hatcheries rallied onto roaches.
44-52 14xLings (6:40)
***First Barrel: 8 Roaches and 16 Lings arrive at opponent's base at roughly 7:15)***

Note: Future food counts may differ based on how many units you lose with your first push

52-60 Drones (6:45)
60 2xGas (7:10)
58 Lair (7:25)
58 Overlord
60 Evolution Chamber (7:30)
62 Baneling Nest (7:55)
Start +1 upgrade of your choice (usually melee attack) when evolution chamber finishes
Drone to 72 - More specifically, you need a total of 41 drones (16drones mining minerals at your main and 16drones mining minerals at your natural with 3 drones in 3 gas.) Once you're at this point, drones are mining EXACTLY 2 per patch on all of your mineral patches and 3 per gas geyser so you should not touch the drones in gas or on minerals, even when building additional structures.
Lair finishes at 8:45, begin Baneling and Roach speed
72-92 10xRoaches (As soon as roaches finish, move towards opponent's base and rally lings to roaches)
92 3xOverlord
92-110 36xZerglings (Or as many as possible)
When your lings and roaches are close to your opponent's base, your upgrades should all finish so morph as many banes as you can at 110 supply and attack.
***Second Barrel: 20 Roaches, 20 Lings, 20 Banelings with +1 and all 3 speed upgrades arrives at opponent's base roughly 11:30***

As you execute the second bust, start your 3rd base at 11:30 as well and begin producing 6 drones putting you at 116. You need 6 drones because you're going to take the 4th gas (4 drones) and produce a second evolution chamber for more melee/carapace upgrades and an infestation pit (2 drones). So you keep your 16 drones mining 2 per patch at each base and fill all gas.
Now, rally all hatcheries to 3rd base and saturate it ASAP with 22 drones – once again, I know it's annoying but I want to emphasize the importance: 16 drones mining minerals 2 per patch and 3 in each gas. Also, produce a queen for your 3rd.
Start your hive immediately when infestation pit finishes, at around 12:30

Now, rally all hatcheries to 3rd base)
Saturate your 3 base with 24 drones ASAP (2 to build gas geysers, 16 mining minerals 2per patch, 3 mining each gas).
Take a 4th base at 14:00 and produce a queen there when it's done. Max out on 3-4 base with ultras and lings with constant upgrades (don't forget adrenal glands and chitinous plating). You should max out by 16:30-17:30
***Third Barrel: Maxed out army of 6 Ultra, 48 Banelings, 19 Roaches, 44 Lings arrive at opponent's base at roughly 16:30***

At 7:15, the terran player will likely not have many defenses or units. With 8 Roaches and 14 Speedlings, you have the perfect early game composition to either significantly delay the terran expansion and even break into the terran defenses and wreak havoc. I cannot tell you how many games I have won outright with this opening, so do not doubt its strength! The roaches are used to break through the depot or add-on. Then you lead through the opening with the roaches and let your lings come in behind, getting good surrounds on his units and SCVs. Keep in mind, though, that if his base is too fortified at the top of the ramp, you can usually pull back and use your units defensively while you macro up to bust #2. TIP: Rally your hatcheries onto a roach as soon as your roaches are on the field. Ideally, you want to hotkey roaches and lings in a separate control group but if you struggle with this type of micro, just hotkey the roaches as 1 and use only 1 a-move and target fire with the roaches. Reinforcing lings will follow the roaches, engaging units only when they do. When you move the roaches, the lings will stop attacking and follow them. This saves you the trouble of having to manually micro both lings and roaches.

At 11:30, any considerable terran player will have an expansion somewhat fortified with bunkers, tanks, or both. It's very important to split your army up into 2 or 3 groups to come from different angles rather than clumping up a attack-moving in a big ball. It's also a good idea to have half of your banelings come separately from the side and try to move right into the marines or bunkers while the roaches focus down the tanks. Get right up close and snipe those tanks, don't be afraid

With a maxed out army, good upgrades and a strong composition you should be ready to be on the offensive. Again, with so many melee units, surface area is key and it's important to attack from as many angles as possible. Flanks, split-attacks, etc. are all particularly useful. In general, you want to lead with the ultras to soak up the tank and marine shells and then move in with the lings and banes. If you have a few infestors, fungal growth his clumped up units. Try to avoid narrow/closed in spaces where you can't get good surface area/surrounds.