[cure]

PvP HotS Walkthrough Builds by Cure


Macro build - 1Gate FE

Idea behind the build: PvP has always been seen as a coinflip, this build is here to change that. Popularised by Naniwa, the 1gate FE is one of the best builds that will transition you into the midgame with a strong economy, while keeping you safe against cheese earlier on.

-The flow of the build-
1) Getting a stalker out to scout around the map for proxies.
2) Getting a mothership core and sentry early to start storing energy.
3) Using hallucination to scout the tech of your opponent.
4) Transition into the midgame with a strong economy and scouting intel.

-Walkthrough Build Order-
9 pylon
13 gateway
15 gas
16 gas
16 pylon
17 cybernetics core
21 stalker
21 pylon
25 mothershipcore
Sentry when gas allows (Produce 2nd sentry immediately after)
Nexus when 400 minerals
Pause probe production when main is saturated
Second gateway and robotics when minerals allow
Continue probe production
Immortal immediately when robotics is complete
Hallucinate a phoenix to scout with first 100 energy on sentry

-Notes-
- Use the first stalker for early scouting, to check for any form of early aggression (pylons near your natural etc) or an early expand from your opponent.
- Do NOT use photon overcharge unless there is a real need to do so.
- Focus chronoboost on probes if you scout no aggression.

-FAQ-
Q: What builds counter this ?
A: This build is generally safe against all PvP builds assuming your opponent is of the same skill level. The only build that will be extremely difficult to hold is a 4gate phoenix play. Where the opponent goes for 2-3 phoenixes with his 4gate to pick up your sentries and immortals, then proceeds to run up into your main, skipping the photon overcharged nexus in your natural. In the scenario where you choose to photon overcharge your main, he will then FF your ramp and kill your natural, which gives him a army and tech advantage (SG vs Robo) over you, putting you behind as the game progresses.

Q: What do I do if I scout a Twilight Council ?
A: Make an observer. The observer will let you know the angle which the blink stalkers will be coming in from, as well as keep you safe from potential dark templars.

Q: What do I do if I scout a Robotics Bay ?
A: If he's already moving towards colossus on 1base, ensure that you keep producing immortals to be able to crush the eventual all-in.

Q: What do I do if I scout a Stargate ?
A: Playing against Stargate tech is the trickiest. Warp in a few stalkers and keep them in your mineral line for both your main and natural. Do NOT overcommit to warping in stalkers as they are expensive units earlygame. If your opponent is committing to phoenix play, consider adding a cannon in your mineral line and going for a push off 2base.

Q: What if I scout that my opponent has also expanded ?
A: You probably will have an economy lead because you took your expansion earlier. If your opponent did the exact same build, then consider sending more hallucinations out to check the tech path of your opponent after his initial opening and counter accordingly. If he doesn't go for Stargate, consider doing some warp prism harass to keep him occupied while you secure your 3rd base.

Aggressive Build - 4 Gate Blink

Idea behind the build: The aggressive build to give you game control during the early game. Although it requires intensive blink micro, it's still extremely strong on maps like Star Station and Neo Planet ES. By containing your opponent with your blink stalkers, and picking off units with good blink micro, you're able to catch up to your opponent even if he crushes your first attack.

-The flow of the build-
1) Getting a stalker out to scout around the map for proxies.
2) Getting blink tech and a mothership core to be able to scale different terrain easily.
3) Scouting your opponent as you pressure him constantly.
4) Contain your opponent while safely transitioning into the midgame.

-Walkthrough Build Order-
9 pylon
13 gate
14 gas
15 pylon
17 cyber
18 gas
Stalker soon as cyber is done
23 pylon
Twilight soon as resources allow
3 more gateways when warpgate tech is 50%
MSC soon as resources allow

-Notes-
- Use your first stalker to scout effectively, checking for hidden probes and proxies.
- Deny any probe leaving your opponent's base. Proxy pylons is a good way for your opponent to make you leave your contain.
- Early chronoboost to get blink out ASAP.
- Do not commit and attempt to kill if you scout a robo build. You can expand instead of going all-in.
- Try to block his gas as much as possible with your scouting probe, every second counts ! (Only if he's not stacking chronoboost).
- NEVER lose your mothership core.

-FAQ-
Q: What builds counter this ?
A: This build is weak against robo builds and DT rushes. However, it's still possible to win the game if you micro your blink stalkers well, picking off units whenever you can, and also containing opponents on robo tech.

Q: What do I do if I scout a Twilight Council ?
A: Make robo immediately and scout to deny proxy pylons. Also, retreat your stalkers to make a "wall" at your ramp to prevent the DTs from sneaking in. You can blink the stalkers back after they take hits.

Q: What do I do if I scout a Robotics Bay ?
A: If he's already moving towards colossus on 1base, ensure that you keep producing units to be able to basetrade him. That in itself should keep him contained.

Q: What do I do if I scout a Stargate ?
A: If he's been producing voidrays, chances are that you won't be able to break him. Avoid offensive blinks and pick off as many units as possible while taking your natural expansion and secure a economical lead while moving to the midgame.

Q: What if I scout that my opponent has expanded ?
A: Your opponent has most likely did a 1gate FE. Although the build generally does extremely well against blink openings, try to pick off units and keep him contained while teching to stargate at home. If he chooses to move out and attack you, pick off pylons powering his gateways , then recall your stalkers home to defend.

The game flow in pictures

+ [Pictures] +

Blocking the gas with your scouting probe


The first push


Leaving a probe to catch potential "blink-ups"


Forcefield to prevent entry into mineral line, losing as little probes as possible


Splitting up the army to prevent any blink harass


Focusing down pylons powering gateways when basetrading


Forcefielding to buy time for stalkers to kill important tech and pylons at opponent base


Recalling stalkers back to defend