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7 Gate Blink +2 (vs. Zerg)

From Liquipedia StarCraft 2 Wiki
This strategy is for a previous expansion of the game.
[e][h]Protoss7 Gate +2 Blink Stalker All-In
Strategy Information
Matchups:
PvZ
Type:
All-In

Overview[edit]

The 7 Gate +2 Blink Stalker all-in is a mid-game all-in that can be executed in a variety of different ways. This article will focus on a passive variation of the build that aims to hit the Blink Stalker timing faster than more harassment-heavy variations such as the 4 Gate Pressure Into 7 Gate +2 Blink Stalker All-In.

Goal[edit]

The goal of this build is to try to eliminate your opponent's third base by using intensive Blink Stalker micro to kill your opponent's defensive units. The importance of the +2 Ground Weapons upgrade is to reduce the number of shots needed to kill a Zergling with a Stalker from 4 to 3.

Basic Build Order[edit]

Basic Build
  1. Send the Probe that builds this to scout.
  2. Pylon construction is not listed after this point. Build as required.
  3. Produce 2 Zealots after this Stalker. When Warpgate Research is complete, start warping-in more Stalkers.
  4. Build your 3rd and 4th Assimilators before building your Twilight Council.
  5. These should finish at the same time as Warpgate Research.

Notes[edit]

  • You do not have to open Nexus first as described above. Any FFE opening can be used to transition into this all-in.
  • When your expansion is completed, start saving your Chronoboosts for Warpgate Research.
  • Once Warpgate Research has completed, save chronoboosts for Blink and Ground Weapons upgrades.
  • +1 Ground Weapons and the Twilight Council should end at approximately the same time.
  • Cut Probe production at 48.
  • Warpgate Research and your first three additional Gateways should be ready at ~7:35.
  • All your Gateways should be finished at ~9:05
  • Blink research should be finished at ~9:40.

Execution[edit]

A normal +2 Blink Stalker push.
NightEnD looking to transition into his own third base after his push kills Zenio's third base.
  • When your last three Gateways are about to finish, push with your army and use a Probe to start building proxy Pylons. If you can get the Pylons down beforehand, this will be advantageous.
  • As soon as Blink finishes, start pushing your opponent's third base.
  • Warp-in Zealots and Stalkers in response to the ratio of Zerglings and Roaches the opponent has. If they are heavy on Roaches, get more Stalkers. If they are heavy on Zerglings, get more Zealots.
  • Always keep your Zealots between your Stalkers and your opponent's army. Save as many Stalkers as possible by using Blink micro.

Transition[edit]

  • Transitioning into a Robotics Facility is the normal follow-up to this build as you will need Observers and Immortals to take a third base safely against a mass Roach counter-attack.
  • The timing to build your Robotics Facility is generally dependent on when you want to retreat. As soon as you know your push could be defended, start building it.
  • Making Immortals is very important to defend against a potential Roach counter-attack. If you do not inflict enough damage, or you destroyed their third base but could not finish them off, there is a high probability that the Zerg will try to attack you.
  • While you are building Immortals, you can start transitioning into Colossi by building your Robotics Bay. Transitioning into High Templars is also a possibility if the opponent is likely to transition into Mutalisks.
  • Take your third base once you have a couple of Immortals and some Sentries for Force Fields.

Maps[edit]

Pro Features[edit]

Maps that have a hard to access third base (e.g. rocks in the way, long distances between the expansions) will make it hard for the Zerg to reinforce quickly. Examples include Ohana and Daybreak.

Con Features[edit]

Maps where the third base is easily connected by creep and easily defended by Spine Crawlers will make this strategy hard to use. Examples include Calm Before The Storm and Cloud Kingdom.

Replays & VODs[edit]

South Korea Protoss Creator Creator doing the described build against DongRaeGu. DRG used a standard 3 Hatch opening.
South Korea Zerg DongRaeGu
Date: 2012-03-18
Patch: 1.4.3 VOD
South Korea Protoss MC MC attempts a +2 Blink Stalker all-in, but is forced to build more Zealots in response to heavy Zergling use by Stephano.
France Zerg Stephano
Date: 2012-04-29
Patch: 1.4.3 VOD
Romania Protoss NightEnD NightEnD goes for a variation of the build with a faster Twilight Council. He then tries to transition into his own third base after destroying his opponent's third.
South Korea Zerg Zenio
Date: 2012-05-02
Patch: 1.4.3 VOD
South Korea Protoss MC MC goes for a delayed +2 Blink Stalker all-in, catching his opponent off-guard after faking 4 Gate Zealot pressure.
South Korea Zerg Galaxy
Date: 2012-06-26
Patch: 1.4.3 VOD

References[edit]