Terran HotS Build

Let’s talk more StarCraft while I’m on a winning streak. I’m above 50% rate at the moment. Kick ass!

Part of the reason why is, I’ve improved my Terran play. Hell, the other day, I got my first win in a TvZ game. Before you laugh at that, I have to include that for some reason, the luck of the random number generator, I’ve only had 4 or 5 TvZ games since HotS. So part of the reason is simply I haven’t had enough games.

But the build that really helped me is one I saw at the MLG tournament. I call it the Terran Standard Reaper Scout.

10 Depot

12 Barracks/Refinery

Continue SCV production with 3x on gas until the barracks finishes.

Reaper.

Orbital command.

Depot

Reactor after Reaper.

Use your reaper to scout. Note, you do not SCV scout with this build. From here, you can transition into an additional CC, 3-4 rax, or 1-1-1, depending on the details of the game.

What I don’t like about this build is, I don’t feel like it’s aggressive enough. You’ll recall my theory is that too many players love to macro at the moment. Which makes rushing especially effective. But Terran rush options are few and far between.

I feel the strongest TvZ opening is to proxy 2rax. If you manage to delay or cancel a hatchery in the process, you’ve done well. But for the proxy 2rax to really work, you’ve gotta be able to transition into the above build, while you’re keeping your zerg opponent busy.

The key is to not over commit. Get two bunkers up, but only place one marine in each. Learn to feel your zerg opponent so that you can retreat just before he overruns your bunkers. You’ll have to have defenses in your main/natural for the inevitable counter attack. But when executed properly, you can outmacro a zerg, and have a medivac filled with stim marines in his drone line right around the time he’s feeling like he just recovered.

Amazingly, I’ve had more success with 2rax rushes against fellow Terran and Toss players than I ever thought possible. I must assume this is because many protoss players forgo their initial zealot in favor of an earlier MSC (Mother Ship Core). A fellow terran player would most likely only have 2xmarines to counter your two marines. Which means your 2xSCVs will give you both initiative and superior forces. Unless your opponent’s micro is superior to your own, the 2rax rush is viable.