11

When I play a 1v1 match against Zerg as Protoss, I'm happy. So far (in about 5 matches), I found the following strategy undefeatable:

  1. Quickly build a Forge (before Gateway), then 2-3 cannons at your doorstep. If you have a Natural Expansions that is defendable, build the cannons there instead of the main base, and secure your natural.
  2. Gas up, build more cannons, expand to natural if it's defendable
  3. By this time, the Zerg player will have given hope on ground assault. 5 cannons are pretty much impassable... the Zerg will go for Mutalisks/Corruptors
  4. Mass up on Phoenixes - build 2-3 Stargates and pump Phoenixes using Chrono boost. You will encounter some Muta resistance, but you can build Phoenixes faster than he can build Mutas.
  5. By the time you have control of the skies, build Voidrays and gg

What is its weak point? How can I defend against it playing Zerg? Nydus/Overlord transport ?

Improve this question
4
  • Situation like this make me wish Zerg had a non air-based siege breaker unit. Broodlords don't work as siege when your opponent has lots of AA (and little else)
    – Raven Dreamer
    Commented Aug 12, 2010 at 0:24
  • 1
    Has anyone tried banelane bust on you? I find it hard to believe that 5 cannons are unstoppable.
    – Strawberry
    Commented Aug 14, 2010 at 2:44
  • @Doug - yeah, I haven't encountered it yet, though I imagine it will be quite effective. This might be the best answer to such a wall-in tactic.
    – ripper234
    Commented Aug 14, 2010 at 18:18
  • 11
    I love seeing the cannons go up. the more you spend on cannons, the less you have for units that can actually come out to get me. therefore, i can spread out over the whole map, get 5 bases, and wait until you run out of resources.
    – Peter Recore
    Commented Aug 18, 2010 at 20:02

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
24

This is actually the best possible thing to happen for you as a zerg player. He's running just Phoenixes and he has given you map control FOR FREE.

Your Strategy is going to be as follows:

  • Build a couple spore to stop early Phoenix harass.
  • Expand to 3 or 4 bases
  • Spread your creep
  • Build pretty much any unit, you're going to run over him

He's giving up the Macro advantage as you now have map control. You can build Hydras as a direct counter to Phoenix and they have the nice benefit of being strong against 4 gate.

Now if he pushes out a more standard 4 Warpgate play, you just FE and play normal vs a 2 Base Protoss. By the time you make a serious push, the Photon Cannons will be a small factor.

Btw, what do people feel about the plural of Phoenix? In Roman mythology there was only one Phoenix in the entire world so the word had no plural. I've been using it as both plural and singular (like fish) as a result.

Improve this answer
12
  • UPVOTE! So true, I laughed so hard. For the plural, I find myself saying Pheonixes sometimes or just Pheonix.
    – Strawberry
    Commented Aug 14, 2010 at 2:45
  • @Doug based on the latin the plural of Pheonix would have been Phoenices (like matrices).
    – tzenes
    Commented Aug 15, 2010 at 0:46
  • Lol, it could also be Phoenii :P
    – Lotus Notes
    Commented Aug 20, 2010 at 17:17
  • Maybe Phoenixen?
    – Brant
    Commented Aug 26, 2010 at 15:14
  • 2
    asked on english.stackexchange english.stackexchange.com/q/19839/2109 :D
    – Rohan Monga
    Commented Apr 7, 2011 at 6:11
4

I'm assuming you are walling off with no gaps with those cannons? Any half decent zerg player will ignore your cannons and run past with speedlings. (Zerglings with speed upgrade) if you are not walling off. If you are walling off then see my next comment.

Any half decent Zerg player can easily counter this strategy by one of two things. Nytus (sp?) network or Overlord drops into your main. Game Over.

What league are you seeing success with this?

Improve this answer
2
  • Bronze-Silver :) I'm not completely walling off, but the number of cannons I have is usually enough to decimate the incoming force, so my opponent doesn't even try to go for a ground assault.
    – ripper234
    Commented Aug 12, 2010 at 6:35
  • It does not work in Diamond, let us just say that.
    – Strawberry
    Commented Aug 14, 2010 at 2:44

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.