So down below I have the different scenarios you can be put in when reaper scouting or SCV scouting. I would suggest going for a Reaper FE since there are so many possibilities for protoss player these days. I suggest watching Day[9]'s daily on DeMusliM's TvP build here:
http://day9.tv/d/Day9/day9-daily-583-demuslim-tvp/
Or my write-up of the build here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mPXaarHqcnzsdL3voI4RniDghU_tB-ynCgy0Oo1k_O8
So let's get started with the different scenarios!
If the protoss has...
1 gas (3 workers in it): + Show Spoiler +
Gateway expo (expansion will be started around 3:50-4:10, will vary depending on if toss chronos units). If there is ALOT of energy left on the nexus, be prepared for warpgate aggression. But if he chronos the nexus (has low energy) it will probably be eco play. It's standard to chrono the gateway to get zealot/stalker out. And one chrono on the cybernetics core is also pretty standard. So don't get intimidated by that! If the protoss doesn’t have his nexus down at 3:50-4:10, confirm that he expo’d at 4:50-5:10 with an SCV or reaper. If he doesn't, it will either be a 4 gate at the front, but it's always possible for the protoss to go for a 4 gate drop! If it's a 4 gate drop the robo will come down at around 4:30 usually. And very often proxied! So right after you see that he has no expo by 5:00, check proxy locations (the pylon usually comes down around 4min), and if you see a robo just build two bunkers at the front and a bunker or two in your main = ez hold ![](/mirror/smilies/smile.gif)
Beware though. After they expand, there is still a possibility of them going for aggression (2 base 4 gate aggression for example). So if you open reaper, scout for proxy pylons and/or go into his main and check his gateway count. Standard right now is 1 gate expo into 1 gate robo. So if you scout that, it's completely standard. If you scout any tech patterns after expanding it's probably okay. But if you scout a Twilight Council, beware of DT drops of 2 base!
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Beware though. After they expand, there is still a possibility of them going for aggression (2 base 4 gate aggression for example). So if you open reaper, scout for proxy pylons and/or go into his main and check his gateway count. Standard right now is 1 gate expo into 1 gate robo. So if you scout that, it's completely standard. If you scout any tech patterns after expanding it's probably okay. But if you scout a Twilight Council, beware of DT drops of 2 base!
2 gas (2 workers in each): + Show Spoiler +
Probably a mothership core expo. This is very, very common. But beware of them adding 2 workers on the gases when you leave so they'll have 3 on each. As always, confirm that he expo’d at around 5:30-5:40 incase he put 3 guys in each gas after you left! Also, a standard mothership core timing is 4:15min~. That's around the same time as the stalker pops
The core also usually starts building before the stalker.
Same applies here as in 1 gas expo, beware of any gateway aggression after expo, or DT drops! Scout it with a reaper incase you opened with one
Otherwise scan around 6min. Gateway aggression after this kind of expo with double gas is very, very rare though! So I wouldn't really worry about it ![](/mirror/smilies/smile.gif)
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Same applies here as in 1 gas expo, beware of any gateway aggression after expo, or DT drops! Scout it with a reaper incase you opened with one
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2 gas (3 workers in each) w/ fast mothership core: + Show Spoiler +
This is most likely a blink stalker all in! The other option is for them to go into sentry expo. If you suspect blink stalker all in, then build bunkers at edges of your base, and lift your nat into your main if you want to be extra safe! If you open reaper expo, should go back and scout the protoss natural at around 5:30 to confirm an expo. If there isn’t any, it will be a blink stalker all in. You can also check his natural with an SCV.
2 gas (3 workers in each) w/ delayed mothership core: + Show Spoiler +
This is a very heavy tech build. This can indicate DT drop, Proxy robo all in or Stargate play. Scout around with a reaper, marine or scv to find proxy tech! If he saves up alot of chrono, then it's probably not a DT drop. This is due to that the dark shrine can't be chrono boosted! And if he decides to use chrono for a DT drop, it's for the robo. I've never seen it used on the gates in this instance. This doesn’t 100% mean it’s an all in, just because it’s possible to expo behind a proxy oracle for example.
Counting pylons: + Show Spoiler +
Another really important thing to do is to count pylons inside the protoss base. When he starts his stalker his 3rd pylon should be on the way. If it's not inside his base, it's probably proxied. When the stalker is finished the 3rd pylon needs to be DONE inside his base!
If no expo at 5:30, it's most likely an all-in!
Thank you for reading my guide!
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DISCLAIMER: Protoss players MIGHT mindgame you into thinking they're going one build, but in reality they're doing something completely else. Beware of that! Keep scouting
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People that contributed to this guide:
vhapter [TL]
Axolotl777 [Reddit]
Cheers!
- EchO.Sandshrew
If you have any questions you can contact me at Sandshrew.139 @ EU
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