• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 17:06
CEST 23:06
KST 06:06
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview4[ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies21Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO12 Preview2herO wins GSL Code S Season 1 (2026)7Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO4 & Finals Preview5
Community News
StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th14Weekly Cups (May 18-25): MaxPax wins doubles0Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League4Weekly Cups (May 11-17): Classic wins double0Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO8 Results2
StarCraft 2
General
StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th herO wins GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview Weekly Cups (May 18-25): MaxPax wins doubles Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO12 Preview
Tourneys
GSL Code S Season 2 (2026) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players
External Content
Welcome to the External Content forum Mutation # 527 Hell Train The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 526 Rubber and Glue
Brood War
General
Every Matchup's Top 5 Winrates (all ASLs & KSLs) Pros React To: ASL S21 Finals BW General Discussion Very long shot - StarCraft x A7X video Pros React to: TvT Masterclass in FlaSh vs Light
Tourneys
[ASL21] Grand Finals Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 [BSL22] WB Final & LB Semis - Saturday 21:00 CEST [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Any training maps people recommend? Muta micro map competition [G] Hydra ZvZ: An Introduction Fighting Spirit mining rates
Other Games
General Games
ZeroSpace Megathread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Path of Exile Dawn of War IV
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Trading/Investing Thread Dating: How's your luck? European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Facing Challenges in Mobile App Development streaming software
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Customization Drives Loyalty…
TrAiDoS
Why RTS gamers make better f…
gosubay
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2846 users

[Q] Overlord Scouting Techniques

Forum Index > Brood War Strategy
Post a Reply
traceurling
Profile Joined December 2012
United States1240 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-03-03 18:11:41
March 03 2013 06:13 GMT
#1
Hey guys, so this has been something I've been planning on learning for a long time as Overlord scouting is a pretty small thing to do, but also very important, and a forum search turned up some info but not everything I wanted to know...So I was wondering if you guys could give me a quick lesson on how to scout with my overlord for each matchup properly, I know there are like rules of thumbs and minor tricks to follow...this is what I know so far...

General
-On (2) player maps, send the overlord to their natural to see if they're going early expo or not
-On (3) and (4) player maps, scout the main where your overlord will pass over their natural as it travels to the main

vZ
-If your initial overlord meets their overlord halfway or 3/4 of the way towards a main, they are there
-if your second overlord meets their overlord 1/4 of the way towards a main, they are there
-if possible, know where you should have vision of their creep so you can turn your overlord faster
-if you want to 12 hatch, send overlord to scout cross map on (4) player maps so your overlords won't run into eachother

vP

vT
-keep overlord outside their natural, don't lose it to marines.
-use second overlord to scout for bunker rush

Some things I don't understand
-In one of Day[9]'s Dailies, he analyzed a ZvP where the Zerg send I believe his second overlord to the middle of the map, Day[9] said something along the lines that by being in the center of the map, this overlord can reach any of the other 3 spawn locations really quickly...how is this beneficial why didnt he just scout another main?
-Why do some people (in ZvP) send their overlord to just outside their natural, I know it's in the hope they can see which direction the probe comes from, but does the benefits really outweight the costs?

That's all I know, are there any more tips and tricks and general rules? I found out the thing about scouting cross map when you 12 hatch from Bakuryu(I think it was him) commenting on one of Sayle's casts...I thought it was really cool and I was wondering if there were any other neat tricks...I guess I'll update the OP with what you guys say so other people can use this as a resource...
"Appreciate the things you have before they become the things you had."
Birdie
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
New Zealand4438 Posts
March 03 2013 06:30 GMT
#2
-Why do some people (in ZvP) send their overlord to just outside their natural, I know it's in the hope they can see which direction the probe comes from, but does the benefits really outweight the costs?

If you keep it at your natural I believe it's to watch for cannon rushing inside your mineral line, so you usually move it so that you can see the mineral line.

In ZvP (let's say you're bottom right, you send first overlord to bottom left) you send your scouting drone to top right anyway so you don't have to send the overlord there, you can send it to the middle instead where it can see proxy gates and can go to either top right or top left naturals quickly depending on what your drone and first overlord scout. So if your drone scouts top right and nothing's there, and your first overlord scouts bottom left and nothing's there, your second overlord is already on its way to the top left and you've also got a chance of seeing proxy gates.
Red classic | A butterfly dreamed he was Zhuangzi | 4.5k, heading to 5k as support!
Harem
Profile Joined November 2007
United States11393 Posts
March 03 2013 07:07 GMT
#3
They send it outside natural so that they know if they can 12hat safely or have to overpool if they see a probe. In addition, they know where the protoss is. Now, since every P will double scout assuming FE, you'll eventually start to be wary if you don't see a probe by x time, this means that you send that ovie through middle in case of proxy gates (or they are 1basing)

However, you can also accomplish this by drone scouting which arguably is even better on iccup esp with how much 1base and 2gate people like to do. Send that drone cross-map, first ovie to nearest nat ie fs bott left to top left and then second ovie to bott right.

Also for zvz, on maps like ground zero, if you are 9pooling then you send the first ovie horizontally. This is because lings will see their overlord as they see ramp. If they don't see ovie and your first ovie doesn't see them, then they are cross-spawn.
Moderator。◕‿◕。
Slayer_Chessi
Profile Joined January 2013
Czech Republic30 Posts
March 03 2013 11:26 GMT
#4
dont forget ZVT, when u 12hatch, u always got to place ovie infront of your naturl to see bunker making, on destination u preferably want to see if hes making bunkers early midgame behind the bridges too.
traceurling
Profile Joined December 2012
United States1240 Posts
March 03 2013 16:39 GMT
#5
Oh also, on a related note, when should I drone scout on ZvP? Ive been relyin on overlord scouts but I've seen good players drone scout...
"Appreciate the things you have before they become the things you had."
Bakuryu
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Germany1065 Posts
March 03 2013 17:31 GMT
#6
11th drone when u go overpool and 12th drone when u go fe.
traceurling
Profile Joined December 2012
United States1240 Posts
March 03 2013 18:11 GMT
#7
Should I drone scout every game or only in some games?
"Appreciate the things you have before they become the things you had."
Bakuryu
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Germany1065 Posts
March 03 2013 18:32 GMT
#8
u must have a reason to drone scout, otherwise u dont drone scout.
if u have a reason to drone scout, u can play safe by always drone scouting, or u play risky and dont drone scout.
FlaShFTW
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States10437 Posts
March 05 2013 04:54 GMT
#9
vP should be something like...
send to natural first before the main to see if they are forge fe, 2 gate aggro, or 1 base play.
Writer#1 KT and FlaSh Fanboy || Woo Jung Ho Never Forget || Teamliquid Political Decision Desk
TL+ Member
LRM)INF3cted
Profile Joined October 2012
Bulgaria242 Posts
March 05 2013 21:55 GMT
#10
They send it outside natural so that they know if they can 12hat safely or have to overpool if they see a probe. In addition, they know where the protoss is. Now, since every P will double scout assuming FE, you'll eventually start to be wary if you don't see a probe by x time, this means that you send that ovie through middle in case of proxy gates (or they are 1basing)

However, you can also accomplish this by drone scouting which arguably is even better on iccup esp with how much 1base and 2gate people like to do. Send that drone cross-map, first ovie to nearest nat ie fs bott left to top left and then second ovie to bott right.

Also for zvz, on maps like ground zero, if you are 9pooling then you send the first ovie horizontally. This is because lings will see their overlord as they see ramp. If they don't see ovie and your first ovie doesn't see them, then they are cross-spawn.


100% accurate.I have 2-3 secret overlord scouting in ZvZ but i can`t reveal it.Always scout whit drone and check proxy locations first.On maps like Ground Zero u can scout whit first overlord horizontally in ZvT match , just because your second overlord can safely fly over the natural and u get better position early in the game.
Play whit honor , die whit glory.
Freakling
Profile Joined October 2012
Germany1533 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-03-06 18:27:03
March 06 2013 18:26 GMT
#11
About ZvP drone scouting: You can also use your scouting drone to 3 hatch far expand to another nat, if you play standard.

If you send your ovi to scout your opponents main in a 3+ player map, it can pay off to not send it there directly, but directed a bit towards the middle, and then into the main in a diagonal angle, leaving your enemy guessing where it came from, but also delaying your scouting slightly, so this is most suited for builds like 12 hatch, where you are not going to be aggressive early, but need to be wary of enemy aggression.
It does not require additional micro, just shift-click the intended ovi path on the minimap. You also have to consider their scouting paths, of course, because your overlord could run into their scout. So this is somewhat map-specific.
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
OSC
19:00
Mid Season Playoffs
Cham vs PercivalLIVE!
ShoWTimE vs Lambo
Krystianer vs sebesdes
Cure vs Babymarine
SKillous vs Arrogfire
Gerald vs MindelVK
goblin vs TBD
Jumy vs HonMonO
SteadfastSC217
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 673
RotterdaM 500
SteadfastSC 217
ZombieGrub149
IndyStarCraft 123
ProTech94
ROOTCatZ 8
StarCraft: Brood War
Shine 38
NaDa 19
Dota 2
capcasts85
Counter-Strike
fl0m1451
Doublelift1443
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King132
PPMD36
Other Games
summit1g7149
Grubby4122
Liquid`RaSZi1545
Liquid`Hasu258
C9.Mang0209
KnowMe152
ArmadaUGS126
mouzStarbuck82
UpATreeSC73
ViBE55
Organizations
Counter-Strike
PGL195
Other Games
BasetradeTV162
StarCraft 2
angryscii 30
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 74
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota2874
• lizZardDota263
League of Legends
• TFBlade946
Other Games
• imaqtpie1377
• Shiphtur253
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
2h 54m
Maestros of the Game
15h 54m
Big Brain Bouts
18h 54m
Shino vs Scarlett
Bly vs DnS
Serral vs ByuN
Replay Cast
1d 2h
RSL Revival
1d 9h
Lambo vs SHIN
Solar vs Rogue
herO vs Clem
Maestros of the Game
1d 13h
IPSL
1d 18h
ZZZero vs WorsT
Julia vs eOnzErG
BSL
1d 21h
TerrOr vs Dewalt
Bonyth vs eOnzErG
Replay Cast
2 days
RSL Revival
2 days
[ Show More ]
Maestros of the Game
2 days
OSC
2 days
IPSL
2 days
Dragon vs Artosis
dxtr13 vs Hawk
BSL
2 days
Wardi Open
3 days
Monday Night Weeklies
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
WardiTV Spring Champion…
4 days
Maestros of the Game
4 days
The PondCast
5 days
Maestros of the Game
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
WardiTV Spring Champion…
6 days
Maestros of the Game
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

ASL Season 21
2026 GSL S1
Heroes Pulsing #1

Ongoing

2026 KK StarCraft Pro League
BSL Season 22
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
KK 2v2 League Season 1
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
SCTL 2026 Spring
WardiTV Spring 2026
2026 GSL S2
RSL Revival: Season 5
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S2: King of Kings
YSL S3
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Maestros of the Game 2
Bounty Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.