Written by: Cyniko
Table of Contents
1. "Strategy Corners" by match-up
1.1. Protoss vs Zerg
1.2 Protoss vs Terran
1.3. Zerg vs Terran2. The Boss is back
3. Stargate... against Terran?
3.1. The Phoenixes in action
3.2. Build notes4. The easy stuff: An aggressive Terran
5. The hard stuff: WoL Terran
6. The transitions
7. The counters
8. Breaking the ladder: Five tries with MC's 4-gate Oracle all-in
8.1. Build notes
8.2. VOD
"Strategy Corners" by match-up
Protoss vs Zerg
PvZ late-game with Socke and MC
LZGamer's Mutalisk/Swarm host in PvZ
Protoss vs Terran
Goody's mech in PvT
MC's Stargate opening in PvT
Zerg vs Terran
Polt's Widow Mine opening in ZvT
Stephano's Roach/Hydra/Viper in ZvT
The Boss is back
MC is one of the most established Protoss players in Starcraft 2, and at the MLG Winter 2013 Championship he showed a very different PvT than we’re use to, one that was flexible and punishing. It always involved a Stargate, it always involved at least one oracle, and it punished the new openers from Terran that Protoss players are struggling against. Let’s take a look at this very fun and challenging style.
Stargate... against Terran?
For so long, Protosses everywhere have yearned for a stable Stargate opener in PvT. However, given the nature of the phoenix and the meta-game in Wings of Liberty of Terrans making only marines until the ~10:00 minute move-out, it was never justifiable. Harassment capabilities were minimal, and the costs outweighed the benefits.
However in Heart of the Swarm, we’re seeing a lot of Terrans favor earlier gas timings to use widow mines, and if they’re not doing that, they stick to the tried and true style in Wings of Liberty. Luckily, both of these styles can now be effectively dealt with by a Stargate opener. Let’s first take a look at the more macro-based approach that uses one oracle and 5-6 phoenixes to control the map.
MC's Phoenixes in a macro game against Bomber
Overall theme: Utilize your early mothership core and oracle to gain valuable scouting information while you get your nexus. These initial units will also act as defense against any early widow mine drops. Produce 5-6 phoenixes afterwards to continually deflect against drops, and to keep Terran on the backfoot consistently as you get your tech up. The utility of the phoenix and oracle together is very high, and it is what makes the style viable.
Build Notes
(The build will slightly modify based on scouting i.e. early gas vs gasless expand)
13 Gate
15 Double Assimilators
17 Cybernetics Core
19 Stalker + Warpgate
23 Mothership core ->Stargate -> (additional Stalker for safety)
34 Nexus -> Chronoboost 1st Oracle -> Phoenix production afterwards (5-6 total)
Just to be clear, the one defining factor that has made this style more viable than its WoL counterpart is the oracle. The +1 range buff to phoenix is also very important, but it’s the versatility of the oracle that adds the options to make this a solid build. If the Terran is aggressive with any type of factory and starport tech, it will get shut down hard with proper scouting. If there is a hole in the Terran’s defense, you can use the oracle aggressively with your phoenixes to put on pressure. There’s also the option of breaking the ladder and going all-in with oracle 4-gate, which is covered at the end of this analysis.
The easy stuff: An aggressive Terran
There’s no doubt that if you open this build, you want your opponent to be aggressive with quick tech. The meta-game shift has Terran enjoying their new toys too much, boosting around with cute little widow mines that couldn’t be more annoying. If you find yourself struggling against this new style, learn this build immediately. Your oracle can help to shut down widow mine play, and even the first phoenix out of your stargate can chase medivacs all the way home. You can build your momentum by putting counter-pressure back on the Terran, utilizing your oracle’s envision ability to help your phoenixes see all the widow mines and lift them up. This is a dangerous technique though, experienced lifters only. One misstep could lead to a dead oracle or a few dead phoenixes, and you simply can’t afford that.
In this game, Bomber has put on early widow mine drop pressure that failed due to MC’s initial oracle and phoenix. One of the intuitive responses from Terran at this point is defensive widow mines. However, MC shows Bomber that with very patient and strong oracle + phoenix control, you can shut this defense down with envision + lifts and come out very ahead.
The hard stuff: WoL Terran
The only glaring difference in these Stargate styles is the use of the oracle. Despite its great utility, it’s still a massive investment, and you really want to put it to work. If you face a Terran that scouts you correctly, does a gasless expand, and prepares for everything, you will be in trouble. If you’re not as experienced with stargate units, finding holes in a Terran’s defense can be tricky and time-consuming.
If you invest into an oracle and 5 phoenixes and do no damage (direct or in-direct), the ~10:00 push becomes very tough to deal with. You must have very strong control with your phoenixes to make sure nothing sneaks into your main base, and your mothership core should have full energy at this point. Photon overcharge is another reason why you can get away with a playstyle like this. As long as you keep the Terran’s options limited to entering through your natural, you can have photon overcharge buy you enough time to get your tech tree of choice out. I’m not saying it’s easy, but I am saying it’s now possible. In WoL, it was not feasible.
The transitions
I won’t go into great detail here because this isn’t what the analysis is about. What you transition into is purely based on preference and what you scout with your Stargate units. MC kept his opponents on their toes by transitioning into both colossi and high templar tech in separate games. Phoenix + Colossi is a strong choice given the new buff to phoenixes. Forge + twilight council is also still as solid as ever, as your excessive minerals can be dumped into upgraded chargelots as you continue to tech to high templar. My biggest recommendation would be to be diligent on your scouting. If your oracle didn’t get much damage done, be sure to reveal his base and army to see exactly what he is producing and what his unit counts are, as it can be very telling for what his plans are.
MC utilizes reveal on the oracle to keep tabs on Bomber’s army and picks a favorable engagement in the center of the map with high templars and chargelots. The phoenixes continue to widdle away at medivacs
The counters
The counters to this playstyle aren’t as obvious as some would think. My favorite aspect of this style is the much higher skill ceiling it has compared to many other styles of PvT. You won’t master this style any time soon, there’s just so much you can do with your oracles and phoenix if you can control them right.
That brings me to the silly realization that the biggest counter is yourself. In other words, I believe this is a truly solid style, and it’s up to the player to make it work. Lose your oracle to a widow mine or marines, lose a few phoenixes, and you’re suddenly in hot water. Trust me, it will happen. MC makes it look easy by skirting around each widow mine, but you’ll be eating your fair share of missiles to the face when you try this style.
In terms of what the Terran can do to counter you, I would say a strong WoL macro style with a conservative turret count could lead to issues. I wouldn’t even consider this a build order loss by any means, but a disadvantage. But if the Terran player looks like he’s getting a little too comfortable for his own good, you should hit him with the 4-gate oracle all-in.
Breaking the ladder: Five tries with MC's 4-gate Oracle all-in
Overall theme: Against a gasless expanding Terran, utilize your early mothership core and oracle to harass once again, but try your best to focus marines only. Produce 2 oracles and with a 4-gateway production cycle, bust the front door of the Terran. Just go win, this build breaks ladder.
Why is this so strong? – Well, when a Terran sees an oracle, he now gets a triggered response in his head. The last thought that enters is head is “There’s a massive 4-gate coming.” Some Terrans are becoming more savvy to this and always diligent with scouting, but for the most part, you’re going to be catching a lot of people with their pants down.
Build Notes
13 Gateway
15 Double Assimilator
17 Cybernetics Core
Stalker + 2nd Warpgate
Stargate -> Mothership Core
Chronoboost 1st oracle -> 3 additional Gateways
Your Mothership Core should arrive at the edges of the Terran base with about 100 energy by the time your first Oracle arrives to harass
Bust the front with 2 Oracles + Mothership Core + Stalker/Zealots from 4 Gates
Win!
One really cool aspect of this opener is that it can double as a very powerful all-in on ladder. It looks pretty much exactly like a normal oracle opener that could transition into a nexus, but instead you just get three more gateways and then kill him. It makes life a little simpler, and it is mildly ladder breaking.
Five Tries is a new segment where I try a certain style or strategy five times on ladder. See the results of MC’s 4-gate oracle all-in, I’m playing at a masters level MMR currently.
Follow the author:
Table of Contents
1. "Strategy Corners" by match-up
1.1. Protoss vs Zerg
1.2 Protoss vs Terran
1.3. Zerg vs Terran2. The Boss is back
3. Stargate... against Terran?
3.1. The Phoenixes in action
3.2. Build notes4. The easy stuff: An aggressive Terran
5. The hard stuff: WoL Terran
6. The transitions
7. The counters
8. Breaking the ladder: Five tries with MC's 4-gate Oracle all-in
8.1. Build notes
8.2. VOD
"Strategy Corners" by match-up
Protoss vs Zerg
PvZ late-game with Socke and MC
LZGamer's Mutalisk/Swarm host in PvZ
Protoss vs Terran
Goody's mech in PvT
MC's Stargate opening in PvT
Zerg vs Terran
Polt's Widow Mine opening in ZvT
Stephano's Roach/Hydra/Viper in ZvT
The Boss is back
MC is one of the most established Protoss players in Starcraft 2, and at the MLG Winter 2013 Championship he showed a very different PvT than we’re use to, one that was flexible and punishing. It always involved a Stargate, it always involved at least one oracle, and it punished the new openers from Terran that Protoss players are struggling against. Let’s take a look at this very fun and challenging style.
Stargate... against Terran?
For so long, Protosses everywhere have yearned for a stable Stargate opener in PvT. However, given the nature of the phoenix and the meta-game in Wings of Liberty of Terrans making only marines until the ~10:00 minute move-out, it was never justifiable. Harassment capabilities were minimal, and the costs outweighed the benefits.
However in Heart of the Swarm, we’re seeing a lot of Terrans favor earlier gas timings to use widow mines, and if they’re not doing that, they stick to the tried and true style in Wings of Liberty. Luckily, both of these styles can now be effectively dealt with by a Stargate opener. Let’s first take a look at the more macro-based approach that uses one oracle and 5-6 phoenixes to control the map.
MC's Phoenixes in a macro game against Bomber
Overall theme: Utilize your early mothership core and oracle to gain valuable scouting information while you get your nexus. These initial units will also act as defense against any early widow mine drops. Produce 5-6 phoenixes afterwards to continually deflect against drops, and to keep Terran on the backfoot consistently as you get your tech up. The utility of the phoenix and oracle together is very high, and it is what makes the style viable.
Build Notes
(The build will slightly modify based on scouting i.e. early gas vs gasless expand)
13 Gate
15 Double Assimilators
17 Cybernetics Core
19 Stalker + Warpgate
23 Mothership core ->Stargate -> (additional Stalker for safety)
34 Nexus -> Chronoboost 1st Oracle -> Phoenix production afterwards (5-6 total)
Just to be clear, the one defining factor that has made this style more viable than its WoL counterpart is the oracle. The +1 range buff to phoenix is also very important, but it’s the versatility of the oracle that adds the options to make this a solid build. If the Terran is aggressive with any type of factory and starport tech, it will get shut down hard with proper scouting. If there is a hole in the Terran’s defense, you can use the oracle aggressively with your phoenixes to put on pressure. There’s also the option of breaking the ladder and going all-in with oracle 4-gate, which is covered at the end of this analysis.
The easy stuff: An aggressive Terran
There’s no doubt that if you open this build, you want your opponent to be aggressive with quick tech. The meta-game shift has Terran enjoying their new toys too much, boosting around with cute little widow mines that couldn’t be more annoying. If you find yourself struggling against this new style, learn this build immediately. Your oracle can help to shut down widow mine play, and even the first phoenix out of your stargate can chase medivacs all the way home. You can build your momentum by putting counter-pressure back on the Terran, utilizing your oracle’s envision ability to help your phoenixes see all the widow mines and lift them up. This is a dangerous technique though, experienced lifters only. One misstep could lead to a dead oracle or a few dead phoenixes, and you simply can’t afford that.
In this game, Bomber has put on early widow mine drop pressure that failed due to MC’s initial oracle and phoenix. One of the intuitive responses from Terran at this point is defensive widow mines. However, MC shows Bomber that with very patient and strong oracle + phoenix control, you can shut this defense down with envision + lifts and come out very ahead.
The hard stuff: WoL Terran
The only glaring difference in these Stargate styles is the use of the oracle. Despite its great utility, it’s still a massive investment, and you really want to put it to work. If you face a Terran that scouts you correctly, does a gasless expand, and prepares for everything, you will be in trouble. If you’re not as experienced with stargate units, finding holes in a Terran’s defense can be tricky and time-consuming.
If you invest into an oracle and 5 phoenixes and do no damage (direct or in-direct), the ~10:00 push becomes very tough to deal with. You must have very strong control with your phoenixes to make sure nothing sneaks into your main base, and your mothership core should have full energy at this point. Photon overcharge is another reason why you can get away with a playstyle like this. As long as you keep the Terran’s options limited to entering through your natural, you can have photon overcharge buy you enough time to get your tech tree of choice out. I’m not saying it’s easy, but I am saying it’s now possible. In WoL, it was not feasible.
The transitions
I won’t go into great detail here because this isn’t what the analysis is about. What you transition into is purely based on preference and what you scout with your Stargate units. MC kept his opponents on their toes by transitioning into both colossi and high templar tech in separate games. Phoenix + Colossi is a strong choice given the new buff to phoenixes. Forge + twilight council is also still as solid as ever, as your excessive minerals can be dumped into upgraded chargelots as you continue to tech to high templar. My biggest recommendation would be to be diligent on your scouting. If your oracle didn’t get much damage done, be sure to reveal his base and army to see exactly what he is producing and what his unit counts are, as it can be very telling for what his plans are.
MC utilizes reveal on the oracle to keep tabs on Bomber’s army and picks a favorable engagement in the center of the map with high templars and chargelots. The phoenixes continue to widdle away at medivacs
The counters
The counters to this playstyle aren’t as obvious as some would think. My favorite aspect of this style is the much higher skill ceiling it has compared to many other styles of PvT. You won’t master this style any time soon, there’s just so much you can do with your oracles and phoenix if you can control them right.
That brings me to the silly realization that the biggest counter is yourself. In other words, I believe this is a truly solid style, and it’s up to the player to make it work. Lose your oracle to a widow mine or marines, lose a few phoenixes, and you’re suddenly in hot water. Trust me, it will happen. MC makes it look easy by skirting around each widow mine, but you’ll be eating your fair share of missiles to the face when you try this style.
In terms of what the Terran can do to counter you, I would say a strong WoL macro style with a conservative turret count could lead to issues. I wouldn’t even consider this a build order loss by any means, but a disadvantage. But if the Terran player looks like he’s getting a little too comfortable for his own good, you should hit him with the 4-gate oracle all-in.
Breaking the ladder: Five tries with MC's 4-gate Oracle all-in
Overall theme: Against a gasless expanding Terran, utilize your early mothership core and oracle to harass once again, but try your best to focus marines only. Produce 2 oracles and with a 4-gateway production cycle, bust the front door of the Terran. Just go win, this build breaks ladder.
Why is this so strong? – Well, when a Terran sees an oracle, he now gets a triggered response in his head. The last thought that enters is head is “There’s a massive 4-gate coming.” Some Terrans are becoming more savvy to this and always diligent with scouting, but for the most part, you’re going to be catching a lot of people with their pants down.
Build Notes
13 Gateway
15 Double Assimilator
17 Cybernetics Core
Stalker + 2nd Warpgate
Stargate -> Mothership Core
Chronoboost 1st oracle -> 3 additional Gateways
Your Mothership Core should arrive at the edges of the Terran base with about 100 energy by the time your first Oracle arrives to harass
Bust the front with 2 Oracles + Mothership Core + Stalker/Zealots from 4 Gates
Win!
One really cool aspect of this opener is that it can double as a very powerful all-in on ladder. It looks pretty much exactly like a normal oracle opener that could transition into a nexus, but instead you just get three more gateways and then kill him. It makes life a little simpler, and it is mildly ladder breaking.
Five Tries is a new segment where I try a certain style or strategy five times on ladder. See the results of MC’s 4-gate oracle all-in, I’m playing at a masters level MMR currently.
Follow the author:
