How to Mech in TvP [D][G]

My ID is tombaburger, I am a diamond player but I have been playing all three races. Lately I have been exploring Mech in the TvP matchup.

The reason that I have switched to mech is because bio is so volatile in the final battles. Bio is volatile because almost every protoss aoe unit can kill a terran army in a matter of seconds. To me it almost feels like you have to play the late game perfectly to win. Please let it be noted that this isn't a cry for balance but just the observations that I have concluded about based on my games.

12 Barracks
14 Refinery x2 (leave 1 in gas for each refinery)
Reactor at 50 gas (should be when 1st marine is done)
Put 1 more scv in each refinery (should be 2 in each now)
Factory at 100 gas
Command Center at 400 minerals
When factory is done: Switch factory and Barracks, put 1 more in each gas, build a starport and tech lab.
Switch starport to tech lab and start making ravens
Build factories as can be afforded and build armory when you move the orbital down.
Build 2 thors then start tank production

The reason behind rushing to thors is because thors can withstand almost every rush with their mass repair capability. I have found that two thors and maybe a bunker is sufficient for defense. After you have two thors created you want to start making tanks and hellions with the layout 2 tech lab facts, 1 reactor fact, 1 tech lab starport. You always want to research vehicle weapons unless you scout a non-robo army then research vehicle armor (this is because thors gain more from armor against non-robo units then they do from weapons). Take a 3rd when either: after their push failed or when you feel safe with a sufficient number of tanks. Once you take a 3rd add another starport/reactor and two more factories. Start making viking banshee out of the starports.

A late game hellion/tank/raven/banshee/viking army can beat almost any protoss "deathball" that they can make. The goal is once you are maxed you need to start suiciding hellions into their main to kill workers/free up supply. Replace the lost supply in more tanks or banshees/vikings. Normally I just wait for the protoss to attack while slowly expanding and adding on factories.

Contrary to what you might think, it is not good to keep a nice arch with your tanks like you might do in TvT or TvZ. I have found that it is more effective to siege them in compact areas because since protoss units tend to have more health, they can break through a spread out tank line easily. Continuously harass with hellions via medivac drop or drive by's. This will keep the protoss on their toes and hopefully kill a ton of workers. In the final battle, lay down point defense drones with your ravens and target colossi with banshee/viking (again keep siege tanks compact).

The builds that I have had trouble with so far are warp prism all ins and blink stalker all ins. The reason these builds counter mech is that they are very mobile all ins and to defend early as mech you are centered around your ramp with a bunker. I have yet to find out how to stop these but luckily for me they are relatively uncommon all ins.

1. http://www.2shared.com/file/oZlb-Rx_/Metalopolis__2_.html
2. http://www.2shared.com/file/cbNyYIDS/The_Shattered_Temple__2_.html
3. http://www.2shared.com/file/_XLKEIqN/TvP_mech_1.html
4. http://www.2shared.com/file/hq0egMyH/TvP_mech_2.html
5. http://www.2shared.com/file/m_F0bDeq/TvP_mech_3__L_.html
6. http://www.2shared.com/file/GV7L43W9/TvP_mech_late_game.html
7.http://www.2shared.com/file/fmKMs8qe/Taldarim_Altar_LE__4_.html
Games 1 and 2 were recent attempts at meching in TvP while games 3-5 were earlier attempts. Game 6 is an example of late game TvP. Game 7, I dont know what happened.. Just check it out. I hope you enjoy!

Thank you for reading my 1st team liquid thread and please give me feedback/questions in the comments section of the tread.

In the comments people tend to be asking three legitimate questions. Those are:
1. How do you deal with harassment attempts? Blink stalkers can easily be shut down by building your production in a tucked away area and keeping a small amount of tanks at each expansion.
2. How do you deal with reverse all ins when you go to attack? This question has a lot to do with number 3 because to stop these all ins you need to attack directly after they engage with you. If they don't engage with you just build up command centers and suicide scvs to free up space. Terran has mules use them.
3. When do you attack? You should constantly be harassing with hellions throughout the entire game because it doesn't matter how many bases a protoss has, if you can keep their workers to a minimum. Like I said in number two you should not attack until they have lost a substantial amount of army because they will win a base race most of the time. Mech is good in large numbers when tanks can splash their whole army; don't try to attack at 120 supply because it will just get demolished.

Please only post that mech doesn't work if you have evidence of this and you have actually tried using it. I cannot stress this enough.

please leave more comments if these questions are not yours but specifically direct them to me please.