Starcraft 2 Build Orders

TvZ 1rax Reaper Expand

2012-02-09T04:30:00.002-08:00

One of my favorite builds I first saw it's true potential when SlayerS_MMA showcased it in the second GSTL. It is, for good reason, overshadowed by the Hellion expand, but is not without its advantages. I really like this build on smaller maps like Xel'Naga and Shattered Temple. A lot of Zergs delay speed for a good while, so you can sometimes get a few Drone potshots off and another advantage of the build is an earlier CC than a Hellion expand would allow. In addition, you are much safer against fast Roaches because you already have the tech lab down and can scout their main for the Warren. You also stop building them after 1 or 2 and go straight into marine production with a fast stim. It is an opening that requires good multitask to keep your Reapers alive and slightly weaker to b/ling busts than the Hellion opener.

10 supply
12 rax
13 gas
15 Marine
15 OC
16 supply
16 tech lab
20 CC

After you plant your CC, start two additional raxes when you have the money, then another depot ASAP. Start stim shortly after and constant marine production. Sometimes I like to reactor a rax early when I know there's no all-in coming.

EXECUTION: Whether you build one Reaper or two, it's up to you. The job of your Reaper(s) is to scout and control the map before speed is out. The advantage of two Reapers is that they can one-shot lings. Your first Reaper can be used to scout the main base or harass the natural, it is imperative you don't lose your Reapers before your natural is properly defended with a bunker or you will be totally in the dark.

You can follow the Reaper expand up any way you want, but I love love love to follow it up with a 3rax stim push. It punishes greed and if you kept your first two Reapers alive, you will mow down any Spine Crawlers that the Zerg might have (engage them if you don't see enough units to defend). If you are able to keep the Zerg from seeing it coming, you can outright end the game or do massive damage. Don't plan on getting your marines out of there, just maximize the amount of damage you do while macroing properly; running behind the mineral lines is a great way to reduce surface area from zerglings.

IN GENERAL: This is a strong build that can lead right into a macro game, sometimes giving you an advantage. At worst you will be on even footing. It's a great reactive build to the two most common all-ins Zergs would pull on smaller maps. If you spot a Roach Warren, start Marauder production, if you spot a bling bust, build bunkers and wall them off leaving a hex off space so they don't take AOE damage. If you hold their all-in, you'll be way ahead and can probably end the game with a 4rax. If they don't all-in, you can put on some pressure, possibly get an advantage, but at the very least remain on even ground. The 3rax stim push comes at a time Zergs tend to drone up like mad. NOTE: If you spot a speedling expand (rare) before your tech lab is making, ditch this build and use the Hellion expand. Also, scout for a fast third always.

Replay: http://www.gamereplays.org/starcraft2/replays.php?game=33&show=details&id=242565

TvT: 1-1-1 Banshee Expand

2011-07-29T02:37:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, 1-1-1 is a very common build, especially in TvT. This is a variant I use every Terran from SlayerS_Ryung to ZeNEX_Byun (see what I did there?). With good reason, it's a solid build that has few holes in it with a lot of advantages. On bigger maps I'd argue the gas first build is better, so knowing that version is also great if you play T. However, you don't get out the tech too much faster so, meh; it feels much safer having more Marines in the beginning.

10 supply

12 rax

13 gas

15 Marine (constant)

16 OC

16 supply

18/19 fac

21 gas

+ 1x Helion, port (when fac is done)
+ supply

+ tech lab (on fac once the Helion finishes)

+ switch port onto tech lab

+ 1x Banshee
+ CC

+ = get/do it ASAP

EXECUTION: This is a standard opener and you'll do all the normal things you'd do. You have to bungle it up pretty bad to auto-die in the early-mid game. Your first 4/5 Marines should be making their way towards the enemy base, clearing any watchtowers along the way, once your first Helion starts making. The idea here is to scout the front and possibly kill some marines. If they have a bunker, just back off (duh). Best case scenario, they were a bit too greedy and you end up killing a lot of marines. Either way, you're just thinning the marine numbers. If they went Marauders, run back to your base and build a bunker, then proceed to win or get way ahead with the incoming Banshee. Just make sure you watch and micro your Banshee(s). They not only serve to harass, but scout as well. If you suicide your Banshee into marines, you will hence be known as TheBestfOu.

IN GENERAL: Your first Banshee will scout and pressure your opponent while you expand and macro up back home. Unless the enemy got a really fast Viking or Stim, your Banshee will do damage. Depending on the situation, you may want to get another Banshee. For example if you spot an FE, with two Banshees you can harass BOTH of the other T's bases. If you spot he's going Banshees, get a Viking or a Raven! I don't usually opt to get cloak, it's a big investment and the Tanks Siege Mode comes out so much later that if he holds well and counter-attacks you might die.

Replay: http://www.gamereplays.org/starcraft2/replays.php?game=33&show=details&id=223644

TvP: 2rax FE

2011-06-28T23:34:00.000-07:00

Although this has been a known build since beta, I recently saw ST_Bomber using a refined version, to great effect against players like oGsMC and Mana in the recent Dreamhack Summer 2011 event. I was surprised at how fast he got out so many units and how easily MC's 1gate FE was punished. I'm not sure how long it's been around, but this was the first time I had seen it and have been loving using it since.

10 supply
12 rax
14 gas
15 OC
15 Marine
16 rax
16 reactor (once Marine finishes)
17 supply
19 tech lab (once second rax finishes)
19 Concussive Shells
21 supply

* Reactor should finish just as your 2nd rax finishes

EXECUTION: The timings of this build are somewhat sensitive, so make sure you aren't distracted too much by the probe harass and retain crisp, clean, execution. You will have 5 marines and 1 marauder before 5 minutes with Concussive Shells about halfway done. This is a good time to move out and perhaps try to catch an overzealous Stalker or two off-guard, if the P is being overly aggressive early on with his Zeaot and Stalker, it's not a bad idea to hide the Marauder until Concussive is done. You can also opt to bring 1 or 2 SCVs to turn the pressure into a light bunker contain because he may have to retreat up his ramp. If you are able to contain the P, it is not a bad idea to pull back after your natural is up and running. Another thing to keep in mind is, if you don't know what he is doing, you must build a Missile Turret and one or two defensive bunkers back home. This accounts for DTs and proxy pylons.

IN GENERAL: This is a very solid build and I love that the main focus of this build is to safely get an expand up (ideally around 40-ish supply) while putting on a good deal of pressure. It excels against FE builds on open naturals because Protoss just won't have enough and will have to pull Probes to defend because (on small-mid sized maps) your attack will hit before Warpgate is done. However, it is not an all-in and should not kill a Protoss outright unless he is retardedly greedy, so make sure you expand behind this.

Replay 1: http://www.gamereplays.org/starcraft2/replays.php?game=33&show=details&id=216551
Replay 2: http://www.gamereplays.org/starcraft2/replays.php?game=33&show=details&id=220459

TvP: 1rax FE

2011-06-24T00:53:00.001-07:00

A very solid opening used by many Terrans in TvP; to throw out a few names, IMMVP, PoltPrime, ST_Bomber. An economically focused build that relies on bunkers and early marines to stay alive. Past the initial rax, early CC is very flexible and there are variations to the build depending on the type of army you'll want in the mid game. This one focuses on bio where you eventually add in Medivacs. MKP loves doing a sick EMP Ghost timing attack with it. I dislike the 1rax with tech lab FE because you can hold off any stalker poking with marines anyways and you get the CC up faster. I don't think CC first is worth it and too risky.

10 supply
12 rax
15 OC
15 Marine
16 supply
18-20 CC
+ 2x rax
+ gas

+ = get it ASAP
* bunker at the natural before or once you get two Ma!rines

EXECUTION: It is pretty straightforward, keep up on your SCV and unit production so you benefit as much as you can from that extra CC. It is IMPORTANT to try and scout so you can respond properly or a scan; at the very least you will see his base and know if there is proxied tech. Things like 3gate contain, 4gate, DTs, Stargate, etc. can give you trouble depending on how well you react. If you scout the fast expo, you can relax as there won't be some insane attack coming. However, if they don't put down that expo you need to be very wary and throw down a bunker or two.


Eep.		Here. We. Goooo!

IN GENERAL: This is followed up by tech lab and concussive and stim, order depending; though it is viable to hold off on those upgrades with good scouting/sense. Optimally, you want to do this build when the map has a natural with a choke or ramp (Shakuras, etc.) since it's much easier to defend than on maps like Metalopolis and Xel'Naga Caverns.

TvZ: 2rax

2011-06-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most common and basic opening builds for Terran popularized in the GSL2 by MarineKingPrime back when he was known as Foxer/Fake Boxer. This is a great build that has been used ever since because even if the Zerg knows it's coming it still has amazing potential to damage the Zerg's economy or at the very least pressure them into to making zerglings/spines. Particularly good against Zergs who choose to FE, this build can transition well into an early expand or simply more barracks if you want to attempt to outright kill the Zerg, however expanding is generally much safer.

This is the variation I have been doing:

10 supply
12 rax
14 rax
16 Marine
17 OC
+ supply

+ = get it ASAP
* constant marine production

EXECUTION: When to move out is entirely up to you, it can be done at 2 marines or you can wait for a few more because it is extremely common for a Zerg to get 4 lings once their pool finishes. It is also up to you about how many SCVs you want to pull, for bunkers or just meat shields. It is IMPORTANT to rally your Barracks and watch your units, don't let drones or lings surround them and micro as best you can, even if you do not kill their natural you are by no means behind.

Some things to note is that you will have map control until speedlings are out and generally want to have some sort of wall off prepared. Depending on the map you can use the second Barracks to wall off or hide/proxy it since it can be floated back later. A really sexy wall-off that can be done on small ramps is walling off the bottom with your first rax and depot. This is in fact a full wall-off and can deny scouting and shut down 6-pools cold.

IN GENERAL: This is a very strong and easy opener that you should know if you play Terran, the more aggressive version is 11/12 rax; also good to know. It works best in close positions, however I have seen it done and done it myself to good effect on the bigger maps like Tal'Darim. If you do moderate damage to the Zerg, be on the lookout for insane Baneling busts after the fact, as it can shut you down cold if you're too greedy.