EPT[G] DRG's Roach/Ling/Bane "All-in" (Or is it?)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/92VGH.jpg)
Good day ladies and gentlemen of Team Liquid, I'd like to thank you all for reading my newest Zerg guide. I'm thrilled to present a style popularized by "The Final Boss" himself, DongRaeGu.
Naturally, there is a lot of talk over DRG's recent victory over Alicia (Protoss) in the MLG Spring Championship, but I'd actually like to take a step back to analyze what has become one of the most common and powerful Zerg vs Terran timing attacks - the 8:45-9:30 Roach/Ling/Baneling. There seems to be mixed opinions from casters and players - some have referred to this style as "all-in", others call it an "aggressive opening." Regardless of which side you stand on, we cannot deny that it is an effective style used in tournament play by top-notch Zerg players like Stephano, Sheth, vioLet, and of course, DRG.
Reddit Link:
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DRG's Roach/Ling/Bane "All-In" (Or is it?) - Upvotes and comments make a huge difference.
The Basic Concept:
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Click Here to download the replay that the screenshots below are taken from.
This is an introductory analysis of the 2 hatchery, 2 gas timing attack which generally arrives at the Terran expansion between 8:40-9:30 with 8-12 roaches, 8-10 banelings, and 20+ zerglings. Since this composition functions well against low-tech units like marines/hellions/marauders, it is generally used in response to Terrans who take a fast expansion without gas. However, the push comes early enough that you can often trade armies against Tank/Banshee builds to equalize the game. There are multiple variations of the build, but they tend to follow this basic structure:
1: Go hatch-first and drone scout.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/NlFwx.jpg)
2: Get your first gas, two queens, and a few zerglings to defend/scout again.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/veU7n.jpg)
3: Defend yourself early - optional third queen, spine crawler, additional zerglings.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/xVcTl.jpg)
4: Use your first 100 gas on zergling speed and continue droning.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/WSc0E.jpg)
5: Get your second gas and roach warren at 44 supply.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/R7Enf.jpg)
6: Produce additional overlords (3-4 are needed for roaches)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/yGkZU.jpg)
7: Build 8-12 roaches, a baneling nest, and zerglings.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/rZgbX.jpg)
8: When the roaches complete, move out. If possible, run lings ahead to morph earlier/closer to your opponent's base.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/CVHZA.jpg)
9: Morph in and gather up.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/fhcsA.jpg)
10: Bust then reinforce or transition.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Vh80a.jpg)
This is an introductory analysis of the 2 hatchery, 2 gas timing attack which generally arrives at the Terran expansion between 8:40-9:30 with 8-12 roaches, 8-10 banelings, and 20+ zerglings. Since this composition functions well against low-tech units like marines/hellions/marauders, it is generally used in response to Terrans who take a fast expansion without gas. However, the push comes early enough that you can often trade armies against Tank/Banshee builds to equalize the game. There are multiple variations of the build, but they tend to follow this basic structure:
1: Go hatch-first and drone scout.
2: Get your first gas, two queens, and a few zerglings to defend/scout again.
3: Defend yourself early - optional third queen, spine crawler, additional zerglings.
4: Use your first 100 gas on zergling speed and continue droning.
5: Get your second gas and roach warren at 44 supply.
6: Produce additional overlords (3-4 are needed for roaches)
7: Build 8-12 roaches, a baneling nest, and zerglings.
8: When the roaches complete, move out. If possible, run lings ahead to morph earlier/closer to your opponent's base.
9: Morph in and gather up.
10: Bust then reinforce or transition.
DRG's Style
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Click Here to view DRG vs MMA from MLG Providence.
As you know, MvP's DongRaeGu was the first professional to utilize this build in competitive tournaments. DRG opts for both a later drone scout (13) and a later gas (23) than most players, which allows him to secure a slight economic lead in the early stages. By building 3-4 sets of lings before the roaches, he's also able to morph in his banelings to bust earlier than most:
9 Roaches, 11 Banelings, 20~ Speedlings arrive at 8:45:
The Build Order:
9Overlord
13Scout
15Hatch
16Pool
17Overlord
17Queen x 2 (Double Inject)
21Lings x 4 (2 Sets)
23 First gas (4:00)
Drones to 26
26 Overlord
Drones to 31
31 Overlord
Drones to 36
36 Zergling speed (first 100 gas, keep drones harvesting gas)
36 Overlord
Drones to 42
42 2nd Gas/Roach Warren
Drones to 44
Overlord x 3
Baneling nest when warren is halfway done (6:30)
44 Lings x 6 (Total of 9-12 Speedlings to move out across the map and morph into banelings)
47 Roaches x 9
65+ Lings
11 Banelings morphing by 8:20
The Transition:
Start droning
Lair and 3rd/4th gases started (9:00)
Macro Hatch (10:00)
Mix Drone/Ling Production, make sure you have map vision and at least 2-3 banelings if you're building drones.
Baneling Speed and Spire when Lair finishes (11:00)
Third Base (12:15)
Muta Production by 12:30 with +1 Air Attack, deny drops/harass while you mass zerglings/banelings/mutas/upgrades
14:00 double evolution chamber
Once you reach a large enough ling/baneling/muta army off 2bases with a macro hatch, start saturating your 3rd (Don't rush this!).
Start a 4th by 17Minutes and use your large zergling/baneling/mutalisk army to delay/deny the terran's third.
Eventually Infestation pit for infestors and hive tech.
As you know, MvP's DongRaeGu was the first professional to utilize this build in competitive tournaments. DRG opts for both a later drone scout (13) and a later gas (23) than most players, which allows him to secure a slight economic lead in the early stages. By building 3-4 sets of lings before the roaches, he's also able to morph in his banelings to bust earlier than most:
9 Roaches, 11 Banelings, 20~ Speedlings arrive at 8:45:
The Build Order:
9Overlord
13Scout
15Hatch
16Pool
17Overlord
17Queen x 2 (Double Inject)
21Lings x 4 (2 Sets)
23 First gas (4:00)
Drones to 26
26 Overlord
Drones to 31
31 Overlord
Drones to 36
36 Zergling speed (first 100 gas, keep drones harvesting gas)
36 Overlord
Drones to 42
42 2nd Gas/Roach Warren
Drones to 44
Overlord x 3
Baneling nest when warren is halfway done (6:30)
44 Lings x 6 (Total of 9-12 Speedlings to move out across the map and morph into banelings)
47 Roaches x 9
65+ Lings
11 Banelings morphing by 8:20
The Transition:
Start droning
Lair and 3rd/4th gases started (9:00)
Macro Hatch (10:00)
Mix Drone/Ling Production, make sure you have map vision and at least 2-3 banelings if you're building drones.
Baneling Speed and Spire when Lair finishes (11:00)
Third Base (12:15)
Muta Production by 12:30 with +1 Air Attack, deny drops/harass while you mass zerglings/banelings/mutas/upgrades
14:00 double evolution chamber
Once you reach a large enough ling/baneling/muta army off 2bases with a macro hatch, start saturating your 3rd (Don't rush this!).
Start a 4th by 17Minutes and use your large zergling/baneling/mutalisk army to delay/deny the terran's third.
Eventually Infestation pit for infestors and hive tech.
vioLet's Variation:
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Click Here to view vioLet vs Demuslim from IEM São Paulo.
Empire's vioLet is known for his aggressive style of timings and counter attacks, so it's no surprise that he incorporates builds like this. vioLet plays the opening "safer" than DRG by drone scouting at 1:15, going gas-before-pool for early zergling speed, and building 3 sets of zerglings as soon as the pool is done. While these precautions do help in the event of early pressure, the reduced economy forces him to build an earlier warren at 39 supply to hit with a smaller push at the same time as DRG's:
9 Roaches, 9 Banelings, 16 Lings arrive at 8:45
The Build Order:
10Overlord
10-11 Extractor Trick (The drone that built/cancelled extractor moves out to scout at 1:15)
15 Hatchery
16Gas
15Pool
18Overlord
18Queen x 2
22 Lings x 6 (3 Sets)
Speed with first 100 gas (Remove 2 from gas until 6:00)
26 Overlord
31 Spine (5:30)
32 Overlord
Drones to 36 (Refill gas at 6:00)
36 Overlord
36 Lings x 6 (3 Sets)
39 Roach Warren (6:15)
38 2nd Gas
Drones to 41
41 Overlord x 3
41-57 Roaches x 9 / Baneling Nest
57+ Lings
9 Banelings morphing by 8:20
Note: vioLet does not transition and instead follows through with continued zergling/baneling production.
Empire's vioLet is known for his aggressive style of timings and counter attacks, so it's no surprise that he incorporates builds like this. vioLet plays the opening "safer" than DRG by drone scouting at 1:15, going gas-before-pool for early zergling speed, and building 3 sets of zerglings as soon as the pool is done. While these precautions do help in the event of early pressure, the reduced economy forces him to build an earlier warren at 39 supply to hit with a smaller push at the same time as DRG's:
9 Roaches, 9 Banelings, 16 Lings arrive at 8:45
The Build Order:
10Overlord
10-11 Extractor Trick (The drone that built/cancelled extractor moves out to scout at 1:15)
15 Hatchery
16Gas
15Pool
18Overlord
18Queen x 2
22 Lings x 6 (3 Sets)
Speed with first 100 gas (Remove 2 from gas until 6:00)
26 Overlord
31 Spine (5:30)
32 Overlord
Drones to 36 (Refill gas at 6:00)
36 Overlord
36 Lings x 6 (3 Sets)
39 Roach Warren (6:15)
38 2nd Gas
Drones to 41
41 Overlord x 3
41-57 Roaches x 9 / Baneling Nest
57+ Lings
9 Banelings morphing by 8:20
Note: vioLet does not transition and instead follows through with continued zergling/baneling production.
Sheth's Variation:
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Click Here to view Sheth vs PuMa from IPL Liquid vs Evil Geniuses.
Kudos to the nicest professional Zerg player out there, LiquidSheth, for showing that well-mannered players can open aggressively too! Although his push arrives about 30-45 seconds later than the others, he is able to create a few more roaches and banelings for a larger push at 9:30. With no attempt to place evolution chambers or a 3rd base, Sheth's timing is the most all-in version of this style:
12 Roaches, 12 Banelings, 28+ Speedlings arrive at 9:30
9Overlord
13Scout
15Hatchery
16Pool
16Gas (2 in gas)
17Overlord
17 Queen x 2 (Double Inject)
21 Lings x 4 (2Sets)
Drones to 28
28 Overlord
28 Spine
Drones to 31
31 Speed (First 100 Gas)
31 Overlord (Fill gas 5:30)
Drones to 42
42 Supply 2nd gas
41 Supply 2-3 Sets of lings (If pressured by hellions)
42 Roach Warren (6:45)
Drones to 44
44 Overlords x 3
44-68 Roaches (Roaches start around 7:45)
68 Overlord
68 Baneling Nest
68 Overlord x 3
68+ Lings
Baneling morph at 9:00
Sheth does not transition, instead favours a continued zergling/baneling all-in.
Kudos to the nicest professional Zerg player out there, LiquidSheth, for showing that well-mannered players can open aggressively too! Although his push arrives about 30-45 seconds later than the others, he is able to create a few more roaches and banelings for a larger push at 9:30. With no attempt to place evolution chambers or a 3rd base, Sheth's timing is the most all-in version of this style:
12 Roaches, 12 Banelings, 28+ Speedlings arrive at 9:30
9Overlord
13Scout
15Hatchery
16Pool
16Gas (2 in gas)
17Overlord
17 Queen x 2 (Double Inject)
21 Lings x 4 (2Sets)
Drones to 28
28 Overlord
28 Spine
Drones to 31
31 Speed (First 100 Gas)
31 Overlord (Fill gas 5:30)
Drones to 42
42 Supply 2nd gas
41 Supply 2-3 Sets of lings (If pressured by hellions)
42 Roach Warren (6:45)
Drones to 44
44 Overlords x 3
44-68 Roaches (Roaches start around 7:45)
68 Overlord
68 Baneling Nest
68 Overlord x 3
68+ Lings
Baneling morph at 9:00
Sheth does not transition, instead favours a continued zergling/baneling all-in.
Stephano's Variation:
+ Show Spoiler +
Click Here to view Stephano vs PuMa from the Assembly ASUS ROG SemiFinals.
Stephano goes for the most macro-oriented build and transition, opting to start an early third queen to spread creep as well as taking a third base at 8:20. Even though he starts such an early third, his roach/zergling/baneling timing hits at a comparable time with other pros:
10 Roaches, 8 Banelings, 24 Zerglings arrive at 9:00
The Build Order:
9Overlord
Early Scout (10 Supply/1Min Mark)
15Hatch
16Pool
18Gas (For early ling speed, take drones out after you start the upgrade)
17Overlord
17Drone
18 Queen x 2, Lings x 4 (2 Sets)
Drones to 26
26 Overlord
Drones to 28
28 Queen/Overlord (Giving up to 44 supply)
Drones to 33
33 Spine (~5:15/5:20)
Drones to 36, refill gas
36 2nd Gas
Drones to 44
44 Warren, Overlordsx4, Baneling nest (Replace drones to 44 supply)
44 Roaches x 10 (~7:15)
64+ Lings
8:20 3rd Base
8:30 8 Banelings morphing
Transition:
Early third base by 8:20
Double Evo Chamber by 10:00, back into drones around this time too.
Take 3rd/4th gas after +1+1 started
LOTS of creep through the center and to the 3rd
Lair by about 11:30/12:00 (first 100 gas after +1+1)
Infestation pit when Lair is done, Pathogen Glands and Hive immediately
Eventual goal of Hive tech with three fully saturated bases and a macro hatch, max-out with fully-upgraded zergling, ultralisks, and infestors.
Stephano goes for the most macro-oriented build and transition, opting to start an early third queen to spread creep as well as taking a third base at 8:20. Even though he starts such an early third, his roach/zergling/baneling timing hits at a comparable time with other pros:
10 Roaches, 8 Banelings, 24 Zerglings arrive at 9:00
The Build Order:
9Overlord
Early Scout (10 Supply/1Min Mark)
15Hatch
16Pool
18Gas (For early ling speed, take drones out after you start the upgrade)
17Overlord
17Drone
18 Queen x 2, Lings x 4 (2 Sets)
Drones to 26
26 Overlord
Drones to 28
28 Queen/Overlord (Giving up to 44 supply)
Drones to 33
33 Spine (~5:15/5:20)
Drones to 36, refill gas
36 2nd Gas
Drones to 44
44 Warren, Overlordsx4, Baneling nest (Replace drones to 44 supply)
44 Roaches x 10 (~7:15)
64+ Lings
8:20 3rd Base
8:30 8 Banelings morphing
Transition:
Early third base by 8:20
Double Evo Chamber by 10:00, back into drones around this time too.
Take 3rd/4th gas after +1+1 started
LOTS of creep through the center and to the 3rd
Lair by about 11:30/12:00 (first 100 gas after +1+1)
Infestation pit when Lair is done, Pathogen Glands and Hive immediately
Eventual goal of Hive tech with three fully saturated bases and a macro hatch, max-out with fully-upgraded zergling, ultralisks, and infestors.
All-In (Or is it?):
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Poll: Do you think this style Roach/Ling/Baneling push is all-in?
No, this push transitions well into the mid and late game. (149)
58%
Yes, if the attack fails to do significant damage, you're too behind to transition. (109)
42%
258 total votes
Yes, if the attack fails to do significant damage, you're too behind to transition. (109)
258 total votes
Your vote: Do you think this style Roach/Ling/Baneling push is all-in?
(Vote): Yes, if the attack fails to do significant damage, you're too behind to transition.
(Vote): No, this push transitions well into the mid and late game.
Guide Feedback:
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If you read this guide, I ask that you please provide input about what you like and dislike about it. As always, your constructive comments and criticism are valued and appreciated!
Poll: Are you happy with the content, structure, and style of this guide?
5 - Excellent guide, relevant and concise information, interesting style. (93)
67%
4 - Solid guide, good analysis, pretty helpful. (24)
17%
1 - There is nothing to be learned from you, Tang. You're ruining eSports. (15)
11%
3 - Average guide, could be improved but probably will help some people. (5)
4%
2 - Some helpful material, overall not very informative. (2)
1%
139 total votes
4 - Solid guide, good analysis, pretty helpful. (24)
1 - There is nothing to be learned from you, Tang. You're ruining eSports. (15)
3 - Average guide, could be improved but probably will help some people. (5)
2 - Some helpful material, overall not very informative. (2)
139 total votes
Your vote: Are you happy with the content, structure, and style of this guide?
(Vote): 5 - Excellent guide, relevant and concise information, interesting style.
(Vote): 4 - Solid guide, good analysis, pretty helpful.
(Vote): 3 - Average guide, could be improved but probably will help some people.
(Vote): 2 - Some helpful material, overall not very informative.
(Vote): 1 - There is nothing to be learned from you, Tang. You're ruining eSports.
- Tang
Courtesy of www.TangStarcraft.com
