It’s not like I’ve never seen a two rax before. I’ve seen plenty. But I’d never really played one before.
I think it’s a bit of a chicken and egg problem. When I first learned to play Terran, I learned the 888 and the reaper expand. I really like the reaper expand build, so I played that pretty much every game.
I’m a fan of building my second command center on the low ground. As a result, I’d lose a lot of games on two player maps. When I saw my low win percentages on those maps, I simply vetoed them.
But then I saw MMA play this weekend. I saw Flash have his perfect game, and I thought, I need that. I need the two rax in my arsenal. So I unvetoed the maps and began to play the two rax.
Woa! I’ve been winning games. Winning them quick. Sure, people whine about cheesing, but it’s a perfectly valid way to play. All the pros two rax, and maybe what was missing from my play style was the early rush.
You build a supply depot at ten, and when the SCV is doing building, you send him out towards your opponent’s spawn with a second SCV. Even on three player maps, this technique works well, so long as you place the buildings well.
Each SCV makes a barracks, and while they’re doing that I like to build another supply depot at the top of my ramp.
When the barracks are done, start pumping out marines. The SCVs then scout out the opponent’s base and build bunkers. I guess it goes without saying that this strategy works best in the TvZ matchup. I wouldn’t try it in TvT. I haven’t done it in a TvP yet, but I think it could work there, in the right circumstances.
I’d advise to make only eight marines, enough to fill two bunkers. If you can snipe a hatchery, that’s often enough to win the game later, you don’t have to win the game right then and there.
