TvZ: Hellbat/Marauder Opening

If you've played any TvZ at all recently, you'll know and be irritated by the current meta where Zerg just makes a lot of units early and tries to kill you; and when you're going 3CC double Ebay, you'll probably die to it a lot, especially the well-executed ones - even if you scout it because you just won't have the infrastructure or unit count to stop it. Recently the Korean pro Terrans like Flash and Ryung have been opening with a sick new comp that looks really solid against heavy Zerg pressure.

You open like you would open with 3CC, BUT instead of getting the 3rd CC and early double Ebays, you throw down an earlier 2nd gas (around when the factory starts) and an extra 2 rax. When the factory finishes you start an Armory and port. You still get out 2-4 Hellions (for scouting/harass) before you start Hellbat production for drops.

10 supply
14 CC
15 rax
16 gas
18 Marine (SCVs cut for a few seconds to avoid supply cap)
19 2x OC
20 Bunker and 2nd Marine
@150 gas, fac and reactor on rax

Your mid-game infrastructure will end up being:
1 rax reac
2 rax tlab (it can vary here, you can also go 2rax reac/1rax tlab)
1 fac reac
1 port reac
1 ebay (after port)

Because you delay the 3rd CC and upgrades, this build allows you to push out more units, and what better to help hold all-ins than an early Hellbat/Marauder combo (let's face it, even with bunkers Marines and Hellions still don't cut it sometimes) into MMM/H which then lets you pressure/kill even if they didn't all-in because the push hits so much faster than normal that they'll be forced to make a lot of units to hold it, and because they'll still be on low-tech assuming they took a 3rd, there really is no unit combination (as long as you micro against the banes) that will be cost-efficient in stopping it.

* This build can still transition into a normal bio-mine composition, it is just not as greedy as 3CC
* Finish your natural wall around 6:00, this is when ling speed normally finishes

Replay: http://www.gamereplays.org/starcraft2/replays.php?game=33&show=details&id=284204
This game was a wash, it was my first attempt at that Hellbat/Marauder opening before I could find the actual BO, so I did it wrong. I would've probably held with the normal 3CC as well. I haven't had much time to ladder, I'll get better replays later.

TvP: Reaper FE *updated 6/24/2013*

A lot of the Protoss on ladder can tend to be really aggressive and cheesy now days with their early units, it's to the point where CC first and 1rax FE can kind of make you feel like you're playing very defensively and sometimes in the dark. This build is great because you don't need to send that first SCV scout (unless it's a 4p map), just your first Reaper and it gets to the Protoss base at the time you want to be scouting. Not to mention how invaluable it is at sniffing out the all-ins.

10 supply
12 rax
12 refinery (you cut SCVs for a bit)
15 Reaper
16 OC
@50 gas, pull out SCVs
17 CC
18 supply
19 rax
20 bunker

* At around 40% completion of the second rax, put your SCV's back into your gas. When the second rax completes, immediately start a tech lab, then stim.

EXECUTION: Rally the first Reaper to the Protoss base, the idea here is to at least get a hint of what he's doing. Don't worry about early stalkers, your Reaper shouldn't die if microd. The things to look for are is the double gas (standard), if there is a second pylon, and if there is anything building. Double gas is standard now days and just means a Stalker and MSC will be built. If there isn't a second pylon, you're probably getting proxied. If there is double gas and no Stalker or MSC in production, you are also probably getting proxied. In either of these cases, this is where the Reaper will really pay for itself. Throw down an Ebay and search for the proxy if you want to, some maps have obvious places. The proxy is usually Stargate, but it could be a Robo or Twilight Council. If you can, harass with the Reaper by single targeting the probes, but KEEP IT ALIVE, so run when you need to and make use of that regen; also keep looking for that expo to go down.

IN GENERAL: This is an standard economic opener that can hold nearly all aggression, but you still have to scout and respond properly, especially to all-ins. Your Reaper serves as scouting and a soft contain in the early game - ie. he has to keep his first Stalker/Core in his base or your Reaper will go to town on the Probes. This build generally transitions into some form of bio play.

*new* The Reaper pays for itself in spades here
Replay 1: http://www.gamereplays.org/starcraft2/replays.php?game=33&show=details&id=284312
Replay 2: http://www.gamereplays.org/starcraft2/replays.php?game=33&show=details&id=283660
Replay 3: http://www.gamereplays.org/starcraft2/replays.php?game=33&show=details&id=282100

TvZ: Proxy Reaper FE

With the introduction of Heart of the Swarm comes new Reapers with regen! Honestly, in WoL I didn't touch them, but now they've become quite a pillar of openings in most match-ups. The idea behind this rush is not to kill them Zerg, but put them behind economically by lost mining time, drone kills, and/or forcing them to make lings. I don't remember which Terran, it was either Last or INnoVation that used this in MLG Dallas and crushed some souls. I believe our lord and savior Flash has used this as well.

10 supply
12 rax (proxied)
12 gas (SCV production cut for this)
15 Reaper
16 OC
16 supply

* Constant Reaper production (about 3)

EXECUTION: Depending on what 2-player map you're using this on, you will have to time out when to send the SCV out to proxy, it is nearly always before the first supply depot finishes. Where your first Reaper is rallied is your first decision - the main or the natural, sometimes I like to bunker their natural or the ramp leading to it, if they pull drones you can kill them, if not then they have to make a lot of lings to get rid of the bunker. The idea is to do some economic harass and force lings. Make sure to rally the rax to the Reaper (or Bunker) so your next Reapers will go to it. Assuming the Zerg has done what 95% of Zergs do and went hatch first, you'll have some time before their first Queen pops depending on how fast they put the pool down. Single target the drones. You have to micro this harass constantly, so your Reapers need to be hotkeyed. If you ever get surrounded by workers or lings, you messed up.

Your next choice is when you want to stop making Reapers, I've personally found 3 to be the sweet spot, as shortly after the 3rd one pops, ling speed finishes (if you saw gas) and you need to haul ass out of there. While you're microing be sure to watch your minerals, because once you get to 400, you need to lay your expo down. If you want to be greedy, you can lay it at the natural, but it's much safer to put it where your rax would've been. Following this, you can lay down another CC or start your production facilities - depending on what you want to do (I like dropping an extra two raxes and a fac).

If you've done a lot of damage in drones or forced a lot of lings, the Zerg will either all in your or get really greedy, no matter what you always build at least one bunker. In my experience on NA, most Zergs like to semi/all in you. So you auto-build walls and a bunker or two, all the time.

IN GENERAL: You should not expect to straight-up win with this opener, but you can easily transition into an all-in or macro game, using any composition. This is one of the reasons I love this flexible opener against Zergs. Cool side NOTE: Three micro'd Reapers can actually wreck a single Queen, don't be afraid to engage, just make sure to constantly micro the Reapers while macroing. The micro. This is why we love Terran guys.

Replay: http://www.gamereplays.org/starcraft2/replays.php?game=33&show=details&id=282327

TvT: 1-1-1 Banshee Expand

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: 1rax FE

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
+ bunker
+ 2x rax
+ 2x gas

+ = get it ASAP
* bunker at the natural before or once you get two Marines


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. Some variants add additional barracks and delay the gas, the difference is you will have more units earlier to pressure with, but at the cost of delayed tech.


*Added 4/29/2012*
Replay 1: http://www.gamereplays.org/starcraft2/replays.php?game=33&show=details&id=264098
Replay 2: http://drop.sc/167667