Two Replays plus Questions

[RedRagToAnOrc]

As I stated in the ordinary SC forum, I'm at least trying to start playing SC a little again. I decided to risk life and limb and have a look into the Abyss server. I'm actually not doing as badly as I thought I would, I'm at least managing to get past the first 5 minutes in a few cases. ;)

Needless to say, I have questions for all you geniuses (and Alex) and I'd be grateful if I could receive some answers.

First of all, in the first replay (quite a funny game, actually, my one win so far - I manage it by proxy Barracks/Bunker rushing him) my opponent takes my Vespene Geyser early on. Against Toss, I realise the need for mech units. Therefore, do I risk my economy by taking it down with SCVs, or do I wait (as I ended up doing) for Marines, at the risk of falling prey to an early rush when I have no mech?

Secondly, when do I expand for a second time and when do I start pumping Factories? You'll notice if you watch the second game that I end up not having enough units to counter his however-many-Gate Zeal/Goon force. I know that Terran usually tends to expand slowly and taking the expansion points in a logical order (expanding across the map like a giant blob), so when and where do I expand after taking my natural?

Thirdly, how do I cope with a quick-tech to Reaver drop? Usually I'll have a tank and a Vulture or two by then and I end up throwing my forces at this thing and losing every unit I have.

Fourthly, and finally, at what point do I start massing Goliaths, being paranoid as I always am that the Toss is massing Carriers?

Regards,

-- Red.

Replays attached. First one is purely for humour value.

[lammas]

irst of all, in the first replay (quite a funny game, actually, my one win so far - I manage it by proxy Barracks/Bunker rushing him) my opponent takes my Vespene Geyser early on. Against Toss, I realise the need for mech units. Therefore, do I risk my economy by taking it down with SCVs, or do I wait (as I ended up doing) for Marines, at the risk of falling prey to an early rush when I have no mech?

There are many things you can do. You can try making 1 rax marines then expansion and then bunker or two to cover that exp. More basic counter is to attack the assimilator with 2 scvs and wait untill you get a marine done. Then you keep that probe away from the assimilator with marine(s) and attack it with 5scvs. Note that it crucial to kill that probe before attacking. If you dont he wil cancel assimilator and build anhoter one with anhoter 1500 health. Or you can make 2rax=> 6marine=>12scv and go. Works sometimes.

Secondly, when do I expand for a second time and when do I start pumping Factories? You'll notice if you watch the second game that I end up not having enough units to counter his however-many-Gate Zeal/Goon force. I know that Terran usually tends to expand slowly and taking the expansion points in a logical order (expanding across the map like a giant blob), so when and where do I expand after taking my natural?


It depends on your opponents expansion timing. You must scout well for this. If he doesnt expand you dont expand before 6factorys and 130 suply. If he does exp early you exp a minute or two later. On that map you expand whereever you want. Anyways you need to concentrate more on making units before starting to wonder about exp timing because if your opponent can have 50 unit count lead while expanding more than you its all the same when you make an exp.

[lammas]

Fourthly, and finally, at what point do I start massing Goliaths, being paranoid as I always am that the Toss is massing Carriers?

Make allways fairly early scan so that you wont be surprised by 2base carry build. If you do fast expansion build start academy after 1 or 2 factorys. In later game allways have 10goliaths ie. you start making gols at 180/200suply. Or if you havent reached limit in 15minutes make 10gols anyways.

Thirdly, how do I cope with a quick-tech to Reaver drop? Usually I'll have a tank and a Vulture or two by then and I end up throwing my forces at this thing and losing every unit I have.

if you have that small army I think that you should check your build order because it shouldnt be possible to be reaver dropped before you have 2-3 tanks.