EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/HLLEM.png)
Original picture was made by silverfire/Kevin Chang. I edited it
About me:
Hi everyone, I am Phant/SnipeD. Last season I was Rank 18 (810 points) and Rank 10 (880 Points) in master. I am a huge MMA fan and I spent a lot of time on analyzing/watching MMA. I was really impressed by a build he started to use at IEM WC and he also tried to do it at Blizzard Cup in Game 1 vs DRG, but he was interrupted by DRG’s Roach/Ling/Bling push. I am talking about the 1 Rax FE into Blueflamehellion/Banshee, which was already discussed in this thread: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=321097
This is my first guide and english is not my native language, so feel free to give me some feedback
General goal of the build
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Your primary goal is to survive the early game and win the game in mid/late game. The opening gives you a great economy, really fast upgrades and a deadly midgame unit composition. You can hit a really strong 2/2 timing attack with blueflame hellions, banshees, marines, marodeurs and medivacs.
Building Groups/ Build Order
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![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/cSK1v.png)
Simple (Buildings)
1) Rax + CC + 2 Gas + Factory
2) CC + Starport + 2x Tech Lab + 2 E-Bays
3) 4 Raxes + Armory + 2 Gas
4) Factory + Gas
5) CC + Ghost Academy
Intermediate (Basic Units + Gas + Ups)
1) 4 Marines + 2 Gas + Bunker
2) 6 Hellions + Banshee + Marines + Stim
3) Marines + 1/1 + 2 Gas + 2 Medivacs + Combat
4) Medivac + Viking + Blueflame + 2/2 + 5th Gas + Hellions + Marauders
5) Hellions + Marauders + Marines + Concussive Shells + Tanks + Moebius
Build Order:
10 Depot
12 Rax --> 4 Marines before Reactor
16 OC
17 CC
17 Depot
18 2x Gas
20 Bunker
25 Factory
31 Starport (Switch to tech lab of Rax)
33 CC
2x Tech Lab [Rax] / 3rd Gas
@ 4 Hellions: 2 Engineering-Bays / 2nd Rax
3x Rax / Reactor (for Rax) on Factory (and after that one more tech lab for the Factory)
@ 100% Reactor: 4th Gas
Unit composition:
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Marine:
A marine walks into a bar...blabla...one of the worst jokes in starcraft history, but loved by zerg and protoss. Similar to every good matchup the marine is the core of your army and your fast upgrades turn them into marinos, the most dangerous killing machine. :D
Hellions:
You are sick of getting overruned by 100 zerglings, althought you had siege tanks? Blueflame-hellions are insanely good against zerglings and banelings. You will crush armies, which seemed to be a lot bigger than yours.
Marauders:
They are your snipers. A lot of times you can pick off 2 or 3 infestors with a little squad of stimmed marodeurs. Furthermore marodeurs are FAT, which means that fungal growth on a Marine/Marodeure army are a lot weaker than on a pure marine army.
Medivacs:
http://www.twitch.tv/onemoregametv/b/311700845?t=93m30s nothing to add :D Enough medivacs make fungals and ultras look stupid.
Banshees:
I am not sure what exactly affects MMA's decision whether he researches cloak or not. I prefer to save the 200/200, because a lot of zergs build spores as soon as they see banshees, which means that you can force a lot of spores without researching cloak. Usually I do about the same damage with cloaked banshees as I do with uncloaked banshees, but maybe my micro is just too bad :D
Tanks:
A few months ago zergs realised that they don't really need a lot of banelings. Now it's time for terrans to realise that we don't need that many tanks against a few banelings. Blueflame hellions are a lot better against mass zerglings than tanks are.
A marine walks into a bar...blabla...one of the worst jokes in starcraft history, but loved by zerg and protoss. Similar to every good matchup the marine is the core of your army and your fast upgrades turn them into marinos, the most dangerous killing machine. :D
Hellions:
You are sick of getting overruned by 100 zerglings, althought you had siege tanks? Blueflame-hellions are insanely good against zerglings and banelings. You will crush armies, which seemed to be a lot bigger than yours.
Marauders:
They are your snipers. A lot of times you can pick off 2 or 3 infestors with a little squad of stimmed marodeurs. Furthermore marodeurs are FAT, which means that fungal growth on a Marine/Marodeure army are a lot weaker than on a pure marine army.
Medivacs:
http://www.twitch.tv/onemoregametv/b/311700845?t=93m30s nothing to add :D Enough medivacs make fungals and ultras look stupid.
Banshees:
I am not sure what exactly affects MMA's decision whether he researches cloak or not. I prefer to save the 200/200, because a lot of zergs build spores as soon as they see banshees, which means that you can force a lot of spores without researching cloak. Usually I do about the same damage with cloaked banshees as I do with uncloaked banshees, but maybe my micro is just too bad :D
Tanks:
A few months ago zergs realised that they don't really need a lot of banelings. Now it's time for terrans to realise that we don't need that many tanks against a few banelings. Blueflame hellions are a lot better against mass zerglings than tanks are.
Early Game:
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This build order is greedy and you have to be prepared for all ins. A lot of zergs try to kill you when they see a 1 Rax FE, so you need good bunker- and buildingplacement. Many zergs attack with 4-5 roaches in the early game to apply some pressure, but you can prevent any real damage by repairing the bunker. If they decide to go around your bunker, you have to pull some scvs to reeinforce your 4 marines. Losing some scvs is "ok", but you can prevent it with a bit micro. Unfortunately you don't have any map control in the early game, because you need all your marines for defense.
Against Ling/Infestor:
Mid Game:
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This situation changes with the first hellions. Scout for fast thirds and try to see his unit composition. You don't have to do anything special with your hellions, but you can't afford to lose them! You need your hellions for the first push. Just try to deny creap and maybe even his third.
At 4 hellions your factory should start to produce some add ons. 1 additional reactor for your raxes and 1 tech lab for blueflame.
When you have two banshees you can try to kill/deny zergs third, if his creepsspread isn't good enough. Otherwise you can kill some drones, but don't lose your banshees! They are really annoying for zerg all game long. Furthermore a lot of zergs overreact to banshees and build 2 spores at each expansion. The banshees are also really good at denying creep and killings units, that are too far away from spores or queens.
You should land your starport on the factory's first reactor to get medivacs and maybe a viking. Now you can start to harass the zerg everywhere: kill overlords with the vikings and start to drop all over the map. You can also do a 1/1 push, but you should not lose your units with this push.
You should do your first real push with 2/2, BF-Hellions, 2 Banshees and MMM. Your marodeurs and hellions are your wall against banelings, while your upgraded marines kill everything. So pull your marines behind the marauders and try to kite lings/blings with your hellions. This unit compositition is really good versus the "new" Infestor/Ling style.
At 4 hellions your factory should start to produce some add ons. 1 additional reactor for your raxes and 1 tech lab for blueflame.
When you have two banshees you can try to kill/deny zergs third, if his creepsspread isn't good enough. Otherwise you can kill some drones, but don't lose your banshees! They are really annoying for zerg all game long. Furthermore a lot of zergs overreact to banshees and build 2 spores at each expansion. The banshees are also really good at denying creep and killings units, that are too far away from spores or queens.
You should land your starport on the factory's first reactor to get medivacs and maybe a viking. Now you can start to harass the zerg everywhere: kill overlords with the vikings and start to drop all over the map. You can also do a 1/1 push, but you should not lose your units with this push.
You should do your first real push with 2/2, BF-Hellions, 2 Banshees and MMM. Your marodeurs and hellions are your wall against banelings, while your upgraded marines kill everything. So pull your marines behind the marauders and try to kite lings/blings with your hellions. This unit compositition is really good versus the "new" Infestor/Ling style.
Late Game:
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Your mobile army should allow you to secure 4 bases pretty quick, so you have a really good economy, which can support a ton of baracks (+10) or 3-4 starports. You need to scout his T3 tech.
If he is going ultras, you will be fine, because you already have the infrastructure for marodeurs. Nonetheless you should add some more tech lab barracks and you should start to produce 2 tanks at a time. (In unsieged-mode they are really good against ultras)
If your opponents is going broodlords, you should add starports and start to produce vikings. Split your vikings! You don't want to lose all your vikings to one fungal. Moreover you should produce some thors to deal with the corrupters and you should use the immobility of his army. Drop his expansions with a few marines and marodeurs (marodeurs kill hatches so fast).
If he is going ultras, you will be fine, because you already have the infrastructure for marodeurs. Nonetheless you should add some more tech lab barracks and you should start to produce 2 tanks at a time. (In unsieged-mode they are really good against ultras)
If your opponents is going broodlords, you should add starports and start to produce vikings. Split your vikings! You don't want to lose all your vikings to one fungal. Moreover you should produce some thors to deal with the corrupters and you should use the immobility of his army. Drop his expansions with a few marines and marodeurs (marodeurs kill hatches so fast
).Against Ling/Bling/Muta:
Mid Game:
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Obviously you are not able to do a lot of damage with your banshees, because mutas can kill air units and banshee can't. 
Keep your banshees with your main army, so you can use the high dps of your banshees in big fights. Moreover you need tanks against the mass of banelings, which will come for sure, because this style heavily relies on banelings. You should focus on your marine production because your heavy upgraded marines will kill everything as long as your split is "ok" (my micro is terrible) and you focus fire the banelings with your tanks.
Keep your banshees with your main army, so you can use the high dps of your banshees in big fights. Moreover you need tanks against the mass of banelings, which will come for sure, because this style heavily relies on banelings. You should focus on your marine production because your heavy upgraded marines will kill everything as long as your split is "ok" (my micro is terrible) and you focus fire the banelings with your tanks. Late Game:
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Pretty much the same, but usually zergs go for a late hive (because mutas are expensive) and broodlords.
Mech Transition
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It's also possible to transition into mech after your banshees. Due to the fact that I never play mech, I can't say a lot about it, so I will quote Wasihasi's short summary about the transition:
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You build Fac/Tech +Fac/(Reactor on Rax) + Starport/(Techlab on Rax). 95% of the time you can deny 3rd with BFH and stealthshees and then just scan main/natural for either spire or roach warren or infestors. While harassing 3rd go up to 4 Facs and Armory, and build 3rd + Siege Tanks (Roach/Infestors) or 3rd + Thors + Turrets (Mutas). From here you are 3 bases and 3 or 4 CCs + Mech vs 2 base Zerg. Enjoy while it lasts
P.S. One is also quite safe vs semi-early busts, BFH couters banes/lings and if you get shee soon enough you can defend against early roaches. I even had a game, were i lost all except 3 scv and still won due to insane mules+3cc scv production.
Thanks Wasihasi!
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You build Fac/Tech +Fac/(Reactor on Rax) + Starport/(Techlab on Rax). 95% of the time you can deny 3rd with BFH and stealthshees and then just scan main/natural for either spire or roach warren or infestors. While harassing 3rd go up to 4 Facs and Armory, and build 3rd + Siege Tanks (Roach/Infestors) or 3rd + Thors + Turrets (Mutas). From here you are 3 bases and 3 or 4 CCs + Mech vs 2 base Zerg. Enjoy while it lasts
P.S. One is also quite safe vs semi-early busts, BFH couters banes/lings and if you get shee soon enough you can defend against early roaches. I even had a game, were i lost all except 3 scv and still won due to insane mules+3cc scv production.
Thanks Wasihasi!
Maps
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This build is really strong on maps with a easy to secure third base and a narrow natural like: Antiga Shipyard, Cloud Kingdom, Metropolis, Daybreak, Shakuras Plateau
Metalopolis has a very open natural and its really hard to defend against roach/ling pressure, so I don't recommend you use this build on Metalopolis
Metalopolis has a very open natural and its really hard to defend against roach/ling pressure, so I don't recommend you use this build on Metalopolis
Strength/Weaknesses of this build:
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Strength:
You have a really fast tech and good economy. You can keep up in workerproduction and your upgrades should be at least even with the zerg if not better. The banshees and hellions are really good at killing creaptumors and any unit that gets too far away from spores or queens.
Your composition is really good against zerglings:
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/bcSnr.png)
Weaknesses:
I haven't seen MMA lose to any all-in/early aggerssion with this build, but unfortunately you are not MMA. Some all-ins are really hard to defend, but you should always keep in mind that you can afford to lose workers. You have 3 orbitals/3 mules and the zerg's tech is delayed if he pushes you.
This build is also weak against two base muta play, because you have only 7-8 marines when the mutas arrive, so you need turrets. If you weren't able to scout his fast spire, you are in huge trouble. Luckily this build isn't really popular at the moment, but I played against it a few times (I didn't have turrets) and the games were really close and I was only able to win, because of huge mistakes by my opponents.
Today I played some games against a zerg, who played mass roach against me and I realised that I need tanks against those roaches and I have to stay a bit more defensive. I recommend that you use your main army to secure bases, while you drop the zerg and deny expansions. (roaches are slow compared to speedlings) When you are close to being maxed you should be able to crush his army.
You have a really fast tech and good economy. You can keep up in workerproduction and your upgrades should be at least even with the zerg if not better. The banshees and hellions are really good at killing creaptumors and any unit that gets too far away from spores or queens.
Your composition is really good against zerglings:
Weaknesses:
I haven't seen MMA lose to any all-in/early aggerssion with this build, but unfortunately you are not MMA. Some all-ins are really hard to defend, but you should always keep in mind that you can afford to lose workers. You have 3 orbitals/3 mules and the zerg's tech is delayed if he pushes you.
This build is also weak against two base muta play, because you have only 7-8 marines when the mutas arrive, so you need turrets. If you weren't able to scout his fast spire, you are in huge trouble. Luckily this build isn't really popular at the moment, but I played against it a few times (I didn't have turrets) and the games were really close and I was only able to win, because of huge mistakes by my opponents.
Today I played some games against a zerg, who played mass roach against me and I realised that I need tanks against those roaches and I have to stay a bit more defensive. I recommend that you use your main army to secure bases, while you drop the zerg and deny expansions. (roaches are slow compared to speedlings) When you are close to being maxed you should be able to crush his army.
Defending early aggression:
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Usually you are not able to scout the zerg's main with hellions, so you have to be in front of his base with your hellions to you see which units are leaving his base.
Roach/Ling/Bling:
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Mass Zergling/+1
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Zergling/Roach Push:
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Zergling/Baneling Push:
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Roach/Ling/Bling:
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If you see a lot of roaches and zerglings a roach/ling/bling push/all in is most likely incomming. Look for the morphing banelings and focus them with your banshee(s). Mass repaired bunkers can defend almost everything except banelings. Furthermore you have the possibilty to build marodeurs out of the rax with the tech lab.
NOTE: If you focus fire morphing banelings with your banshees, your banshees will stop focusing the banelings, when they finished their morphing progress. You have to focus them again
Example game: (By far no perfect defense)
http://drop.sc/173616
NOTE: If you focus fire morphing banelings with your banshees, your banshees will stop focusing the banelings, when they finished their morphing progress. You have to focus them again
Example game: (By far no perfect defense)
http://drop.sc/173616
Mass Zergling/+1
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If you see a ton of zerglings, there could be a zergling/+1 attack incomming. You should be fine as long as your scvs can surround the bunker and repair nonstop.
Zergling/Roach Push:
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Mass repair and a second bunker on the high ground should hold off this push. (See game 1 MMA vs Idra @ IPL4)
Zergling/Baneling Push:
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Focus fire the banelings with hellions and try to mass repair the bunker or hold the high ground
Example Game:
http://drop.sc/181801
Example Game:
http://drop.sc/181801
General tips:
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- 6 Pool isn't used that often against terran, so it's a good idea to hide your rax. Often times you can force at least a faster pool or even some additional zerglings.
- Bunker at your third:
One bunker in a good position can win you the game. Here are two examples of good bunker placement:
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3FO8v.png)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/kKCUZ.png)
- I think you should never attack the zerg's main with your main army, because most times it's better defended than the expansions and a zerg without expansions is a dead zerg. So focus on killing his expansions
- You can find a lot of useful tips in this thread:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=241247
- more very useful advices, especially about dealing with early aggression were given by dohgg. Thank you!
- Bunker at your third:
One bunker in a good position can win you the game. Here are two examples of good bunker placement:
- I think you should never attack the zerg's main with your main army, because most times it's better defended than the expansions and a zerg without expansions is a dead zerg. So focus on killing his expansions
- You can find a lot of useful tips in this thread:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=241247
- more very useful advices, especially about dealing with early aggression were given by dohgg. Thank you!
Day[9]
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I know that Day[9] just did a daily about this build, but I started this guide a few days ago and it was almost finished when he did his daily.
The title of my guide isn't wrong. MKP uses this build as well, but MMA originally introduced it and MKP also called it the "MMA build" in an interview after his MLG win. [2]
Here is the daily: http://blip.tv/day9tv/day-9-daily-448-p1-marineking-vs-dongraegu-playing-nutty-in-tvz-6096765
The title of my guide isn't wrong. MKP uses this build as well, but MMA originally introduced it and MKP also called it the "MMA build" in an interview after his MLG win. [2]
Here is the daily: http://blip.tv/day9tv/day-9-daily-448-p1-marineking-vs-dongraegu-playing-nutty-in-tvz-6096765
Replays/VODs:
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MMA's games: (I recommend you focus on those)
MMA vs Life @ Iron Squid Game 1(MMM, Hellion, Banshee)/MMA vs Life @ Iron Squid Game 3: (Mech, starts at 35:40)
MMA vs IdrA @ IPL4 both games:
http://www.twitch.tv/ignproleague/b/314129429?t=10h26m0s
MMA vs Stephano @IPL4 Game 2:
http://www.twitch.tv/ignproleague/b/314361609?t=5h21m30s
He also used it in his SlayerS vs SlayerS matches.
Replays (more focus on tanks):
MMA vs Zenio @ IEM WC Game 1:
http://www.sc2replays.eu/show-replay-18208-0-slayersmma_t_-vs-liquidzenio_z.html
MMA vs Zenio @ IEM WC Game 2:
http://www.sc2replays.eu/show-replay-18209-0-slayersmma_t_-vs-liquidzenio_z.html
MMA vs Dimaga @ IEM Kiev Game 3: (Mech)
http://www.sc2rep.com/replays/(Z)mTwDIMAGA_vs_(T)SlayersMMA/17687
My own replays (EG doesn't stand for evil geniuses)
http://drop.sc/161877
http://drop.sc/161876
http://drop.sc/161875
http://drop.sc/161874
http://drop.sc/161873
http://drop.sc/161878 (ignore the basetrade and my terrible decision to kill one expansion with my entire army)
http://drop.sc/163678 vs 2 base muta
http://drop.sc/161884 vs roach/ling/bling
I know that my micro is terrible, but as you can see you can still win games with this build.
MMA vs Life @ Iron Squid Game 1(MMM, Hellion, Banshee)/MMA vs Life @ Iron Squid Game 3: (Mech, starts at 35:40)
MMA vs IdrA @ IPL4 both games:
http://www.twitch.tv/ignproleague/b/314129429?t=10h26m0s
MMA vs Stephano @IPL4 Game 2:
http://www.twitch.tv/ignproleague/b/314361609?t=5h21m30s
He also used it in his SlayerS vs SlayerS matches.
Replays (more focus on tanks):
MMA vs Zenio @ IEM WC Game 1:
http://www.sc2replays.eu/show-replay-18208-0-slayersmma_t_-vs-liquidzenio_z.html
MMA vs Zenio @ IEM WC Game 2:
http://www.sc2replays.eu/show-replay-18209-0-slayersmma_t_-vs-liquidzenio_z.html
MMA vs Dimaga @ IEM Kiev Game 3: (Mech)
http://www.sc2rep.com/replays/(Z)mTwDIMAGA_vs_(T)SlayersMMA/17687
My own replays (EG doesn't stand for evil geniuses)
http://drop.sc/161877
http://drop.sc/161876
http://drop.sc/161875
http://drop.sc/161874
http://drop.sc/161873
http://drop.sc/161878 (ignore the basetrade and my terrible decision to kill one expansion with my entire army)
http://drop.sc/163678 vs 2 base muta
http://drop.sc/161884 vs roach/ling/bling
I know that my micro is terrible, but as you can see you can still win games with this build.
Sources
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Original photo of the header can be found here (thanks for allowing me to use it):
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=327945
It was made by silverfire. Thx for your great photos!
[2] Interview with MKP:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=324446
Thx for reading
