The strength of the build relies very heavily on the fact that queens can transfuse a +1 armor spine crawler, which has good hp and dps. But that's the strength of the build. If you can sidestep the static defenses, this build's power is severely weaken. Warp prism play, nedus, medivac drops are are all viable because Spanishiwa build doesn't get gas till the 7min mark. It isn't a fragile build, but it does have some gaping holes that can be exploited.
And just cause you rip a build doesn't mean you can copy it perfectly. I saw the TLO vs Spanishiwa Game 7 match where 7 roaches, 10lings and 6 queens took on 1 thor, 2 tanks, 2 filled bunkers with a few extra marines with scvs repair support. The transfusions going on was INSANE and it won him a battle most players will just get splattered.
Macro and micro wise, I do respect Spanishiwa for making a race that people has been saying is "very reactionary" into something "all rounded". Mass spines/queens will hold off most types of pushes but sacrifices offense for that but it does allow for someone to transit quickly into Tier 3 zerg which most Zergs totally ignore
oh just for protoss out there that vs the spanishwa build do this:
gate gate core 1 zeal 2 stalker wit chrono 2 more stalker +2 more gates, 4 gate in that order on one gas and ull probably win 9/10 times.
since his gas is late unless the map choke is really narrow u can kinda just punish him.
The build order sounds REALLY brutal cause the lack of speedlings and the fact that the natural is wide open for certain maps (Xelnaga) makes for really precise snipes on drones/queens/slow lings. I suppose the variation to the Spanishiwa build is to 13 hatch, 15pool into 18gas (for 100 gas) then normal Spanishiwa-ish build, just for those speed upgrade
Transfusing Queens + Spines + Slowlings with a little micro and transfusing will completely roll over that push
Ive seen 5 gate held off by this build without losing any queens or spines. You must understand if the Zerg doing Spanishiwa's build see's heavy 1 base play, they add spines, queens and slowlings and can hold off most pushes. Also the natural transition out of this is to Ling/Bling, Hydra builds are rare in ZvP now, and Muta builds are even more rare. Roach+Infestor, Roach+Corruptor or some form of Baneling build is the current metagame
With 4+ Queens out, I can't see how you're safely sniping anything. If you're 3-4 Gate + Stargate, Zerg add spines and units because you're pretty allin.
I Honestly feel you have never in your life played against this build executed by a player above Plat.
I recently started playing 1v1 again and have turned my ZvP match up from being my worst to probably my strongest. And it's funny that you say that hydras are rarely used in zvp anymore since I love to use them almost every game if I have a chance. I like transitioning from the spanishiwa build (excluding his mid/late game strat) into ling/hydra then into roach/corrupter with broods added later. It just feels so natural.
Only when zerg get a new build order to add to their arsenal are they labeled "fanboys". Spanishiwa created a very safe fast expand build, something zergs were really looking for.
SIF, enjoy the points if you're able to destroy this opening every time but no need to feel like you're ending a social revolution. The only reason this gets so much attention is because it's not often zerg get a very reliable new opening to use.
Spanishiwa is a smart, competent player who created a good opening, nobody is trying to say he's Jaedong.
___________________________________ With a mouth full of powder and a nose full of chowder.
Spanishiwa has said that 5 rax reapers destroys him using that style
And most pro's say its kinda meh
Idra used a variation of it though i don't know where the difference was as i didn't see those games TT
Regardless of wether you think Spanishiwa is a good player or not (IMO he is) theres alot of stuff young Zerg can take from his build ("The Ice Fisher") and apply to their own play.
Adaptability people...
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The Zerg formerly known as [TA]Ridiculisk.500
TAhackdZ.379
Tbh, the most exciting part of the build is that you dont need to follow the boring metagame of do damage in midgame or lose. You pretty much rush to hive tech with a good economy and then try to engage and crush their army.
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