EPT"I'm one of the only ones saying, like, the Zerg is way ahead against the Protoss. Protoss have like no really strategy choice against Zerg they have always to do the same thing to be safe, where the Zerg can change strategy and still win and be safe same time. I feel like Blizzard need to patch something for Protoss to give them more option in the metagame because the Zerg has only to do one build to counter kind of all the possible builds for the Protoss and it's really stupid I feel"
There are already two threads about this (links at bottom), but neither focuses the actual build orders of the concept. I'm going to compare the Stephano-style and the DRG-style in this thread.
I urge every zerg to practice a high eco 3 hatch build in a BO-tester or against a computer to get a feel for just how powerful the midgame can be with a optimized 3 base opening. Try the challenge proposed further down!
A Stephano-variation (As used in ASUS ROG Winter 2012):
+ Show Spoiler +
9 Overlord
14 Spawning Pool
16 Hatchery
15 Overlord
15 Queen
17 2 Zerglings (Scout for probe)
22 Queen (Just as 1st queen finishes)
24 Overlord
24 Hatchery
26 Overlord
29 ~5:00 Queen, Spawn Creep Tumor at natural when morphed, then walk to 3rd.
42 Overlord
~6:00 3rd finishes.
44 2 Extractors
52 Overlord
54 Roach Warren
53 Evolution Chamber
~7:00
@100 gas: Lair, add 3rd Extractor.
@100 gas: Metabolic boost.
@100 gas: +1 Ranged attack.
~8:00
Typically around 70 supply. 2-4 lings 3 queens and ~60+ drones. Stops drone production and goes roaches.
~8:30
@100% Lair Glial Reconstitution.
~9:30
@300 excess minerals 4th (or macro hatch)
~10:30
Glial Reconstitution and +1 Ranged attack finishes. Roach timing attack to deny 3rd with ~140-160 supply in roach/ling.
Example: ASUS ROG Winter 2012 game1 vs Mana:
+ Show Spoiler +
60 drones completed 7:54.
14 Spawning Pool
16 Hatchery
15 Overlord
15 Queen
17 2 Zerglings (Scout for probe)
22 Queen (Just as 1st queen finishes)
24 Overlord
24 Hatchery
26 Overlord
29 ~5:00 Queen, Spawn Creep Tumor at natural when morphed, then walk to 3rd.
42 Overlord
~6:00 3rd finishes.
44 2 Extractors
52 Overlord
54 Roach Warren
53 Evolution Chamber
~7:00
@100 gas: Lair, add 3rd Extractor.
@100 gas: Metabolic boost.
@100 gas: +1 Ranged attack.
~8:00
Typically around 70 supply. 2-4 lings 3 queens and ~60+ drones. Stops drone production and goes roaches.
~8:30
@100% Lair Glial Reconstitution.
~9:30
@300 excess minerals 4th (or macro hatch)
~10:30
Glial Reconstitution and +1 Ranged attack finishes. Roach timing attack to deny 3rd with ~140-160 supply in roach/ling.
Example: ASUS ROG Winter 2012 game1 vs Mana:
+ Show Spoiler +
60 drones completed 7:54.
A DRG 3 gas-Variation:
+ Show Spoiler +
14 Spawning Pool
16 Hatchery
15 Overlord
15 Queen
17 4 Zerglings (Scout for probe)
22 Queen (Just as 1st queen finishes)
25 Hatchery
24 Overlord
24 Queen
28 Overlord
31 Overlord
~6:00 3rd finishes
40 4 lings.
~6:20
44 Queen (when complete ~7:10 he spawns a creep tumor with it).
~6:30
58 3 extractors.
~7:00
Sac overlord.
~7:30
Queen.
@100 gas: Lair
@100 gas: Metabolic boost.
Roach warren
Evolution Chamber
8:00 Typically around 75+ supply. 4 queens, 8 lings 60-65 workers if untouched.
Example: Code S finals game 5 vs Genious:
+ Show Spoiler +
56 workers completed at 7:34.
16 Hatchery
15 Overlord
15 Queen
17 4 Zerglings (Scout for probe)
22 Queen (Just as 1st queen finishes)
25 Hatchery
24 Overlord
24 Queen
28 Overlord
31 Overlord
~6:00 3rd finishes
40 4 lings.
~6:20
44 Queen (when complete ~7:10 he spawns a creep tumor with it).
~6:30
58 3 extractors.
~7:00
Sac overlord.
~7:30
Queen.
@100 gas: Lair
@100 gas: Metabolic boost.
Roach warren
Evolution Chamber
8:00 Typically around 75+ supply. 4 queens, 8 lings 60-65 workers if untouched.
Example: Code S finals game 5 vs Genious:
+ Show Spoiler +
http://www.gomtv.net/2012gsls1/vod/66959/?set=5
56 workers completed at 7:34.
Similarities:
- Both builds look nearly identical until the 3rd finishes at the 6 minute mark.
- If pylon blocked they both try to take their 3rd as their naturals, it delays all timings about 10 seconds.
- Both gets 2 queens before 3rd hatch is started.
- Both places a creep tumor with the completion of the 3rd queen, to connect the natural and 3rd.
- Both gets 3 late gasses and lair with the first 100 gas, then roach speed as soon as lair finishes.
- Both stop at around 60 drones, presumably to be ready for a 6-7 gate all-in.
Differences:
- DRG delays his 3rd queen until 6:20-6:40 and builds his 4th queen as soon as his 3rd is complete. Stephanos earlier queen allows his to get one extra inject and one extra creep tumor to connect the natural and 3rd.
- DRG gets a 4th queen ~7:30 (and sometimes sacs an OL 7:00) to be safe against air, stephano gets an earlier evolution chamber so that he can spam spore colonies reactively. The evolution chamber also gets +1 attack ready in time for a 10:30 roach push.
- Stephano has a roach warren completed at 8:00 to ward of any early 7-gate play. DRG depends on lings out on the map to delay the push.
- Stephanos build gears up for a roach push around 10:30 to denies an early 3rd from protoss. DRG plays a more reactive style.
- DRGs 3 gas build gets 60 drones earlier, but Stephanos build often secures the eco lead longer due to its roach timing attack designed to deny the 3rd.
Topics for discussion:
- Which is safer against air all-in, an extra queen or earlier evo chamber?
- Which is safer against 6-7 gateway all-in. 7:00 roach warren or more lings out on the map?
- Is it better to try to deny protoss 3rd or to get 5 bases and tech to broodlord/infestors (or 10 gas muta)?
- Should Protoss always pylon block when possible? Should P even double pylon block? Should P go even futher and place a cybernetics core to super block?
- How should you deal with the aforementioned blocks of the expansions?
- 4th hatch as macro hatch or 4th expansion?
- Is it worth it to sac an overlord ~7:00?
Is there another, perhaps better, variant of the 3 hatch high eco concept? To find out I propose a challenge:
Get the highest supply possible at 8:00.
Rule suggestions to emulate "real game conditions"
+ Show Spoiler +
Opening:
Pool before hatch, with at least a set of lings as pool finishes.
At 8:00:
At least 50 drones.
Lair and metabolic boost must be started.
Evolution chamber and roach warren must be started.
You must be mining 3 gas.
3 creep tumors connecting nat and 3rd must be placed.
You must have a way of dealing with common protoss responses, like 2 stargate all-in or early 6-7 gate.
Highest supply at the 8:00 minute mark wins.
Pool before hatch, with at least a set of lings as pool finishes.
At 8:00:
At least 50 drones.
Lair and metabolic boost must be started.
Evolution chamber and roach warren must be started.
You must be mining 3 gas.
3 creep tumors connecting nat and 3rd must be placed.
You must have a way of dealing with common protoss responses, like 2 stargate all-in or early 6-7 gate.
Highest supply at the 8:00 minute mark wins.
Highest supply I've seen yet is Stephano vs Elfi from ASUS ROG: 86 supply.
+ Show Spoiler +
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/S3LxK.png)
Here stephano gets earlier roach warren and skips range upgrade in favor of getting roaches earlier for an even earlier attack. (He has to react to a 2 stargate all-in in that game though).
Other threads:
How to play this style: [G]Belial's Comprehensive Guide to Fast Third ZvP
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=320038
How do beat this style: [D] PvZ Beating Stephano Style Roaches
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=320894
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/KknBI.jpg)
