Zerg vs Zerg - Defensive Maneuvers
Introduction:
+ Show Spoiler +
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen of Team Liquid!
I received a special request from a good friend asking me to produce a guide on defensive tactics for Zerg vs Zerg, so here we are! In my opinion, there are few things more important in SC2 than keeping your composure during less-than-ideal situations, and I actually think that defending all-ins is one of the best ways to improve in situational micro - assuming you can keep your cool.
I've lost more games than I can count to early aggression, but I always play it out to the bitter end. So even if you think you're way behind and doomed, practice setting up the best defense / engagements that you can. You might be surprised to find yourself pulling out of some pretty dire spots. So the next time someone cheeses you, get those angry thoughts out of your head, and focus on the task at hand - you will be the better player for it.
The guide will feature my own games in HotS at the top-master level, but I hope others will contribute their own tactics / replays / advice in the comments.
I received a special request from a good friend asking me to produce a guide on defensive tactics for Zerg vs Zerg, so here we are! In my opinion, there are few things more important in SC2 than keeping your composure during less-than-ideal situations, and I actually think that defending all-ins is one of the best ways to improve in situational micro - assuming you can keep your cool.
I've lost more games than I can count to early aggression, but I always play it out to the bitter end. So even if you think you're way behind and doomed, practice setting up the best defense / engagements that you can. You might be surprised to find yourself pulling out of some pretty dire spots. So the next time someone cheeses you, get those angry thoughts out of your head, and focus on the task at hand - you will be the better player for it.
The guide will feature my own games in HotS at the top-master level, but I hope others will contribute their own tactics / replays / advice in the comments.
Defensive Maneuvers Tutorial:
+ Show Spoiler +
In this short 30-Minute tutorial, I look at three games and point out some crucial ways to engage and minimize damage:
Zerg vs Zerg Tutorial - Defensive Maneuvers
Zerg vs Zerg Tutorial - Defensive Maneuvers
Tips and Tricks (Part 1):
+ Show Spoiler +
Note: As previously stated, the tutorial video goes over these points in much finer detail.
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Pull a few Drones to delay Spinecrawlers
Against early Pools, you can't afford to let a Spinecrawler finish. Don't be afraid to pull 6-8 workers.
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Right-Click mineral patches to group up your Drones.
If you must engage Lings with Drones, you don't want to just A-Move your Drones into his Lings - you want to group up first and ideally buy time for your own Lings to finish.
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Engage with Lings and Drones
Once you have 4~ Lings with your Drones, you should feel comfortable to engage head-on. Now you can A-move.
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Once you've held your main, defend your expansion/ramp
You may be in the situation where you need to have your Drones mining at the expansion so that you can defend it against a higher Ling count.
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Anytime Lings are chasing yours, that's free hits for your Queen
Usually engaging with your Lings + Queen is fine, but in small numbers, let him chase your Lings while your Queen gets some free damage dealt.
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Ugh. . .
This won't go well regardless, but don't panic - set up the best engagement as possible by pulling back closer to the Spine. Where the Lings are now would be terrible, it's too wide.
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That's better
At least here the engagement will be more cost-efficient. The Spine can take some of the DPS, and the few Lings prevent a complete surround on the Spine. With a few transfuses, maybe we can hold. . .
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Forget what I just said about holding. . .
Too many Lings, but again don't panic! Buy every second you can, and keep producing Zerglings.
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When he comes into the main, your Queen needs to be a hero
Position the Queen between the mineral fields, so that it reduces the surface area. This way, he won't be able to just surround the Queen then maul the Drones.
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Just keep engaging with Lings + Queens, as best you can
Remember that even when things seem helpless, your opponent doesn't have unlimited stuff. Kill every Ling you can, buy every second you can.
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Ramp defence is so important when he has speed
The last thing you want is Speedlings picking off your main Drones, so try to keep your Lings near your ramp to defend.
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Pull a few Drones to delay Spinecrawlers
Against early Pools, you can't afford to let a Spinecrawler finish. Don't be afraid to pull 6-8 workers.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Right-Click mineral patches to group up your Drones.
If you must engage Lings with Drones, you don't want to just A-Move your Drones into his Lings - you want to group up first and ideally buy time for your own Lings to finish.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Engage with Lings and Drones
Once you have 4~ Lings with your Drones, you should feel comfortable to engage head-on. Now you can A-move.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Once you've held your main, defend your expansion/ramp
You may be in the situation where you need to have your Drones mining at the expansion so that you can defend it against a higher Ling count.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Anytime Lings are chasing yours, that's free hits for your Queen
Usually engaging with your Lings + Queen is fine, but in small numbers, let him chase your Lings while your Queen gets some free damage dealt.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ugh. . .
This won't go well regardless, but don't panic - set up the best engagement as possible by pulling back closer to the Spine. Where the Lings are now would be terrible, it's too wide.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
That's better
At least here the engagement will be more cost-efficient. The Spine can take some of the DPS, and the few Lings prevent a complete surround on the Spine. With a few transfuses, maybe we can hold. . .
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Forget what I just said about holding. . .
Too many Lings, but again don't panic! Buy every second you can, and keep producing Zerglings.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
When he comes into the main, your Queen needs to be a hero
Position the Queen between the mineral fields, so that it reduces the surface area. This way, he won't be able to just surround the Queen then maul the Drones.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Just keep engaging with Lings + Queens, as best you can
Remember that even when things seem helpless, your opponent doesn't have unlimited stuff. Kill every Ling you can, buy every second you can.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ramp defence is so important when he has speed
The last thing you want is Speedlings picking off your main Drones, so try to keep your Lings near your ramp to defend.
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Tips and Tricks (Part 2):
+ Show Spoiler +
Opponent Surrounds Queen with Drones
If you select all your workers and Right-Click a Queen, it will mess up the pathing for the Zerglings. Here, my Lings won't be able to get up close to the Queen and attack.
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Queen well-protected
Against an overwhelming Ling force, this buys the crucial time to get out some Zerglings and defend with minimal loses.
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Engage in narrow areas to be cost-efficient
If your opponent has more Lings than you (Like Blue does above) engage either on the ramp or in-between buildings. If the surface area is even, the engagement is even.
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Defend your ramp with what ya got
Here there's no Queens to wall the ramp, so the 5 Zerglings I do have move to the top to try to wall for as much time as possible. Seconds are important.
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See how much of a difference this makes!
His units are struggling to get up the ramp, and I get some free hits, and move the Spine in range which focuses down some of his Banelings.
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If necessary, Drones can wall the ramp
By selecting the workers from the main and Right-clicking the expansion minerals, the Drones make a straight line to the expansion (by-passing any workers/Zerglings in the way). If I make it to the ramp and then attack-move, I can buy even more time on the ramp where my Spines can help engage.
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Spread out Roaches against Banelings
Obviously Roaches are strong against banelings, but you still want to spread them out to be cost-efficient. Try not to have more than 4-5 Units bunched up if you can avoid it.
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If you select all your workers and Right-Click a Queen, it will mess up the pathing for the Zerglings. Here, my Lings won't be able to get up close to the Queen and attack.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Queen well-protected
Against an overwhelming Ling force, this buys the crucial time to get out some Zerglings and defend with minimal loses.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Engage in narrow areas to be cost-efficient
If your opponent has more Lings than you (Like Blue does above) engage either on the ramp or in-between buildings. If the surface area is even, the engagement is even.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Defend your ramp with what ya got
Here there's no Queens to wall the ramp, so the 5 Zerglings I do have move to the top to try to wall for as much time as possible. Seconds are important.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
See how much of a difference this makes!
His units are struggling to get up the ramp, and I get some free hits, and move the Spine in range which focuses down some of his Banelings.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
If necessary, Drones can wall the ramp
By selecting the workers from the main and Right-clicking the expansion minerals, the Drones make a straight line to the expansion (by-passing any workers/Zerglings in the way). If I make it to the ramp and then attack-move, I can buy even more time on the ramp where my Spines can help engage.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Spread out Roaches against Banelings
Obviously Roaches are strong against banelings, but you still want to spread them out to be cost-efficient. Try not to have more than 4-5 Units bunched up if you can avoid it.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tips and Tricks (Part 3):
+ Show Spoiler +
Uh Oh. . . Banelings incoming before Roaches
This came at a less-than-ideal time, but Roaches are building so it's just about buying time. I reset the hatchery rally points so when Roaches finish they don't run all over the place. Walling the Ramp with Queens also buys some time.
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Spread out your drones to minimize Baneling hits
Resist the temptation to box all your workers and run - do little boxes of 3-4 Drones and spread them all around. Make sure you leave your Queen in the mineral line so that if he A-Moves, he hits the Queen
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Wall-In with your Roaches to minimize surrounds/damage
Roaches are pretty weak against Lings if they get surrounded, so sometimes you just have to create a make-shift wall. Heaven help you if there's a gap though.
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One Roach left...position it between mineral patches
Just like the Queen from game 1, you want to place the Roach where it can't be surrounded. By positioning it between the mineral fields, only 1-2 Lings can engage - which means his Lings will do less damage to your workers. It's all about buying time for your reinforcements.
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This came at a less-than-ideal time, but Roaches are building so it's just about buying time. I reset the hatchery rally points so when Roaches finish they don't run all over the place. Walling the Ramp with Queens also buys some time.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Spread out your drones to minimize Baneling hits
Resist the temptation to box all your workers and run - do little boxes of 3-4 Drones and spread them all around. Make sure you leave your Queen in the mineral line so that if he A-Moves, he hits the Queen
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wall-In with your Roaches to minimize surrounds/damage
Roaches are pretty weak against Lings if they get surrounded, so sometimes you just have to create a make-shift wall. Heaven help you if there's a gap though.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
One Roach left...position it between mineral patches
Just like the Queen from game 1, you want to place the Roach where it can't be surrounded. By positioning it between the mineral fields, only 1-2 Lings can engage - which means his Lings will do less damage to your workers. It's all about buying time for your reinforcements.
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Stream Highlights:
+ Show Spoiler +
These are games from my point-of-view, so you can watch me squirm and frantically fight for survival:
Tang vs CheesyCraft - http://www.twitch.tv/tangsc/c/2149845 (Early Pool / Mass Ling)
Tang vs BlackShadow - http://www.twitch.tv/tangsc/c/2132366 (Baneling All-In)
Tang vs Protoss - http://www.twitch.tv/tangsc/c/2132353 (Baneling All-In)
Tang vs Augustus - http://www.twitch.tv/tangsc/c/2132399 (Baneling All-In)
Tang vs CheesyCraft - http://www.twitch.tv/tangsc/c/2149845 (Early Pool / Mass Ling)
Tang vs BlackShadow - http://www.twitch.tv/tangsc/c/2132366 (Baneling All-In)
Tang vs Protoss - http://www.twitch.tv/tangsc/c/2132353 (Baneling All-In)
Tang vs Augustus - http://www.twitch.tv/tangsc/c/2132399 (Baneling All-In)
Replays:
+ Show Spoiler +
Here are some replays, in case any of the points weren't clear or if you just want to do your own analysis:
Tang vs CheesyCraft - http://drop.sc/322895
Tang vs Blackshadow - http://drop.sc/322894
Tang vs Protoss - http://drop.sc/322896
Tang vs Unluckynewb - http://drop.sc/322897
Tang vs CheesyCraft - http://drop.sc/322895
Tang vs Blackshadow - http://drop.sc/322894
Tang vs Protoss - http://drop.sc/322896
Tang vs Unluckynewb - http://drop.sc/322897
Support:
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TangStarcraft.com
My web page has been around for years, with a free sign-up and free SC2 content. I've taken countless hours to produce these guides, please take a moment to sign up and show your support. I will personally answer every single question that users post on the website. There is also coaching information for those interested in becoming the next SC2 prodigy I have three years of coaching experience and I %&$^ing love it.
Team All-Inspiration
It's been a long time since I played for a competitive team, but I'm thrilled to announce that for the indefinite future, I will be an active member of the very-supportive Team All-Inspiration. It is a tight-knit community dedicated to practice and improvement - what could be wrong with that? The website is All-Inspiration.com (though it is currently being renovated/improved - shout out to EnterJayhari and -ReD- for their assistance with this).
Twitch.TV/TangSC
I recently updated my internet for higher quality video, and got brand new stream overlays. I stream as many tutorials/ladder sessions as time allows Please follow to get a notification when the stream is live
My web page has been around for years, with a free sign-up and free SC2 content. I've taken countless hours to produce these guides, please take a moment to sign up and show your support. I will personally answer every single question that users post on the website. There is also coaching information for those interested in becoming the next SC2 prodigy I have three years of coaching experience and I %&$^ing love it.
Team All-Inspiration
It's been a long time since I played for a competitive team, but I'm thrilled to announce that for the indefinite future, I will be an active member of the very-supportive Team All-Inspiration. It is a tight-knit community dedicated to practice and improvement - what could be wrong with that? The website is All-Inspiration.com (though it is currently being renovated/improved - shout out to EnterJayhari and -ReD- for their assistance with this).
Twitch.TV/TangSC
I recently updated my internet for higher quality video, and got brand new stream overlays. I stream as many tutorials/ladder sessions as time allows Please follow to get a notification when the stream is live
Feedback Poll:
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Poll: How helpful did you find this guide?
4 - Very helpful, I picked up some good tips (31)
44%
3 - Sort of helpful, I knew most of this stuff but it'll probably help others (21)
30%
5 - Extremely Helpful, this was just what I needed. (16)
23%
2 - Not very helpful, it's unlikely these tips will apply to my own games (1)
1%
1 - Useless, this content is complete garbage and so is Tang (1)
1%
70 total votes
3 - Sort of helpful, I knew most of this stuff but it'll probably help others (21)
5 - Extremely Helpful, this was just what I needed. (16)
2 - Not very helpful, it's unlikely these tips will apply to my own games (1)
1 - Useless, this content is complete garbage and so is Tang (1)
70 total votes
Your vote: How helpful did you find this guide?
(Vote): 5 - Extremely Helpful, this was just what I needed.
(Vote): 4 - Very helpful, I picked up some good tips
(Vote): 3 - Sort of helpful, I knew most of this stuff but it'll probably help others
(Vote): 2 - Not very helpful, it's unlikely these tips will apply to my own games
(Vote): 1 - Useless, this content is complete garbage and so is Tang