Protoss counter to 6 pool?

Discussion in 'StarCraft 2 Strategy Discussion' started by Speed, Jul 1, 2011.

Protoss counter to 6 pool?

Discussion in 'StarCraft 2 Strategy Discussion' started by Speed, Jul 1, 2011.

  1. Speed

    Speed New Member

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    I'm new to Starcraft multiplayer. I just started in the bronze league and have played about 8 games (won 3 IIRC). Today I got rushed by zerglings after a guy opened with a 6 pool start. My first zealot was building when they came running in, and I knew that wasn't going to be enough.

    How do you counter this? Is the secret a forge + cannons? I might be able to get a cannon out fast enough, but I'd have to start on it before the gateway. If I wait until I've scouted his base, then it will be too late (unless I sent a probe at the very beginning), right? I'm thinking if I can counter this then I'd have a big advantage since the zerg player built lings instead of drones, which means less $$.

    Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. kuvasz

    kuvasz Corrections Officer

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    Send a scout at 8ish and when you spot the pool immediately stop probe production and save up for another gateway (or pylon if you already have a cyber and thus access to sentries/stalkers... I'm not that familiar with P timings). Don't be afraid to create an air-tight wall as by the time you want to move out, having to destroy one of your buidings won't set you back. This is the safest counter, though you should be able to get away with not creating a full wall and blocking with chrono boosted zealots. However, if you're in bronze, I would suggest you do the first variant until you become more proficient with mechanics, decision-making, and spending your APM.
     
  3. HamsterSales

    HamsterSales New Member

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    kuv is exactly right. If you had that first zealot out plugging a wall-off you would have been perfectly prepared to defend a 6 pool. If, however, you are on super-close positions or the timing just doesn't work out and lings get into your minerals, learn to micro your workers in your mineral line.

    A good technique is to select all your workers, right click a single mineral patch, then once all your workers stack on one another right click another mineral patch on the far side of the attacking zerglings, then once your drones are clipping through the zerglings order them to attack-move on a blank space. The idea is that you should have 13-plus probes if you were going for a more macro style build and you will kill the lings easily assuming he doesn't micro away form your clipping trick. This move takes practice but it can win you some games assuming your opponent doesn't counter-micro you.
     
  4. Speed

    Speed New Member

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    So is the idea to build so that there's only space for one unit to come up the ramp at a time, and then put a zealot there? That's a great idea. I'll have to work on that. Thanks for the tips guys!
     
  5. jamus34

    jamus34 New Member

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    Really this should be your general strategy anytime facing Z...even if the OP doesn't 6 pool you will usually not be able to defend effectively if he sends any kind of ling push early game.

    once you have an established base with units better able to handle lings you can drop the blocking base or just stick to gate units (which can warp) or Colossi which will just walk.
     
  6. olmaster

    olmaster New Member

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    And put zealot(s) on hold position;)..they will block off if you're not focussing your ramp.
    then get yr sentry out quick! So yr able to block with FF. But 1 or 2 z should do the trick for the 1st wave. I tend to build at my nexus 1st instead of at the ramp, I just put 1 pylon near the ramp. If you micro good and Z doesnt and just goes for autoattack at my ramp, my zealots have some time to protect my probes as they are near my nexus, sometimes zerg will kill probes by just running into yr base, in this case you can either protect yr pylon or yr probes micro-ing them like explained earlier. But losing 1 pylon is not a big deal yet, so you just be rdy for the 2nd wave of lings. By then you should have a sentry or 2 to block.

    Oh and: Watch day9 ;)
     
  7. cHowziLLa

    cHowziLLa New Member

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    you guys forget that a 6 pool arrives at a protoss's base before he will be able to wall off with his zealot, once you know you are being six pooled stop probe production, chronoboost your zealot, build pylon, protect your probes until your zealot comes out and fight them with the probes and zealot.gradually put them back on mining. get your core when you can, get 1 sentry. Scout his base, see if he is going roaches, lings or drones.

    if he goes roach get stalkers
    if he goes lings get zealots
    if he macros by getting drones, you get more probes, and you 4 gate his *** and win since you are ahead.