What build order should I use for Zerg in StarCraft 2?

[BACK]
What build order should I use for Zerg in StarCraft 2?
Posted On: March 14, 2013

I'm familiar with the general mechanics of the game, but what's the best build order for the beginning of the game?


Question from user McKay at gaming.stackexchange.com.


Answer:

An opening dictates how you are going to start the match.


The basic Zerg openings:.


6–10 Pool (Rush).


13–14 Pool (Standard).


14–15 Pool, 16 Hatch (Macro).


14–15 Hatch, 15–16 Pool (Macro+).


14 Gas, 14 Pool (Speedling).


12 Pool (Sen Style).


How to read these: The number indicates the number of drones you should have before your first structure. Since you can only build 10 before an overlord any number over 10 indicates building an overlord on 9 or 10 (9 or Extractor trick is the superior choice). Pool indicates building a Spawning Pool. Hatch indicates building a Hatchery. Gas, indicates building a Vespene Extractor on your nearby Vespene Geyser.


Which opening you choose usually relies on two things:.


Your Opponent.


Your Build.


The Rush: A Rush opening is necessarily an all in, so that is a decision you are making prior to starting the match. .


Standard: 13 to 14 pool is considered standard play, it can easily lead to fast expo or 1 base or speedlings or any of another things. It's considered standard play because of the options it offers you. I believe Slush of Root Gaming still runs this build.


Speedling: This is a strat that cropped up near the end of Beta mostly on Korean servers. If you build your gas before your spawning pool and immediately throw 3 drones in it on completion, then you will have exactly 100 gas when your spawning pool finishes. This leads to early speedlings for heavy pressure. Artosis is a large proponent of this build.


Macro and Macro+: Both of these are fast expansion builds designed to get up a very good early economy. They are very vulnerable to rushes, and require good scouting to support. The advantage of these is that if you can scout when your opponent leaves his base you can quickly put together a large force that will be ready just as he arrives allowing you to hold off the assault and be in better economic position. Idra and Machine tend to run this build.


Sen runs a 12 pool to give him a larger advantage against more aggressive zerg opponents, which are common on the asian server. Outside of him, it is not a very popular build.


9 Overlord vs 10 Overlord.


There has been a lot of debate as to getting your overlord after your 9th drone or after your 10th drones. To add confusion it is possible to get your overlord after your 11th drones by building a vespene extractor, building the 11th drone and then canceling the extractor to get your drone back. It is usually agreed that getting your Overlord on your 9th drone, or building it after your 10th and then using the extractor trick to get an 11th while your overlord is building are the better choices.


There is some evidence to indicate 9 overlord is slightly better.


I first wrote this post shortly after beta and while most of what I wrote here still rings true there has been a shift in the Meta game in that time. While 13 to 14 Pool is still an effective strategy, many more Zerg have shifted towards more Macro oriented builds. 14 to 15 Hatch in particular has really caught on in ZvT. Everything in the post remains valid but I think it's still worthwhile to update on some of the newer developments.


Answer from user tzenes at gaming.stackexchange.com.



[BACK]
What build order should I use for Zerg in StarCraft 2?
Posted On: March 14, 2013

I'm familiar with the general mechanics of the game, but what's the best build order for the beginning of the game?


Question from user McKay at gaming.stackexchange.com.


Answer:

An opening dictates how you are going to start the match.


The basic Zerg openings:.


6–10 Pool (Rush).


13–14 Pool (Standard).


14–15 Pool, 16 Hatch (Macro).


14–15 Hatch, 15–16 Pool (Macro+).


14 Gas, 14 Pool (Speedling).


12 Pool (Sen Style).


How to read these: The number indicates the number of drones you should have before your first structure. Since you can only build 10 before an overlord any number over 10 indicates building an overlord on 9 or 10 (9 or Extractor trick is the superior choice). Pool indicates building a Spawning Pool. Hatch indicates building a Hatchery. Gas, indicates building a Vespene Extractor on your nearby Vespene Geyser.


Which opening you choose usually relies on two things:.


Your Opponent.


Your Build.


The Rush: A Rush opening is necessarily an all in, so that is a decision you are making prior to starting the match. .


Standard: 13 to 14 pool is considered standard play, it can easily lead to fast expo or 1 base or speedlings or any of another things. It's considered standard play because of the options it offers you. I believe Slush of Root Gaming still runs this build.


Speedling: This is a strat that cropped up near the end of Beta mostly on Korean servers. If you build your gas before your spawning pool and immediately throw 3 drones in it on completion, then you will have exactly 100 gas when your spawning pool finishes. This leads to early speedlings for heavy pressure. Artosis is a large proponent of this build.


Macro and Macro+: Both of these are fast expansion builds designed to get up a very good early economy. They are very vulnerable to rushes, and require good scouting to support. The advantage of these is that if you can scout when your opponent leaves his base you can quickly put together a large force that will be ready just as he arrives allowing you to hold off the assault and be in better economic position. Idra and Machine tend to run this build.


Sen runs a 12 pool to give him a larger advantage against more aggressive zerg opponents, which are common on the asian server. Outside of him, it is not a very popular build.


9 Overlord vs 10 Overlord.


There has been a lot of debate as to getting your overlord after your 9th drone or after your 10th drones. To add confusion it is possible to get your overlord after your 11th drones by building a vespene extractor, building the 11th drone and then canceling the extractor to get your drone back. It is usually agreed that getting your Overlord on your 9th drone, or building it after your 10th and then using the extractor trick to get an 11th while your overlord is building are the better choices.


There is some evidence to indicate 9 overlord is slightly better.


I first wrote this post shortly after beta and while most of what I wrote here still rings true there has been a shift in the Meta game in that time. While 13 to 14 Pool is still an effective strategy, many more Zerg have shifted towards more Macro oriented builds. 14 to 15 Hatch in particular has really caught on in ZvT. Everything in the post remains valid but I think it's still worthwhile to update on some of the newer developments.


Answer from user tzenes at gaming.stackexchange.com.



[BACK]

I keep having to reload and it’s getting annoying I keep having to reload and it’s getting annoying

Posted On: October 28, 2023
I keep forgetting to do things before entering nightsongs prison and having to reload. I thought I had got it, finally, but I looked up a checklist and I just straight up never found the one who was g...[More]


How do I take down a ufo without damaging it? How do I take down a ufo without damaging it?

Posted On: November 28, 2023
I've been looking for a way to take down a UFO without doing any (or little damage) to it as possible. I haven't found any research that would help me either. My question is, is there some wea...[More]


Does an achievement system exist on Nintendo Switch? Does an achievement system exist on Nintendo Switch?

Posted On: April 12, 2023
Does the Nintendo Switch have an achievement system like trophies on PlayStation or achievements on Xbox? Has Nintendo Switch any board with progress in games? Question from user TravelerVihaan ...[More]


Act I, Astarion approval high, but romance not triggering? Act I, Astarion approval high, but romance not triggering?

Posted On: October 18, 2024
For the tiefling party my relationship was not high enough and Astarion outright rejected me.I'm still in Act I, just nearing the end of it and I finally got his approval up to high. I hear you can ro...[More]


Cant restore my Wii: BootMii Wont Work Cant restore my Wii: BootMii Wont Work

Posted On: March 24, 2023
I am trying to restore or un-modify my Wii. When I try to start BootMii from the Home Brew Channel, I get only a black screen. Can somebody please help me? I don't know how the heck I would hav...[More]


Should I get Hogwarts Legacy for Console or PC? Should I get Hogwarts Legacy for Console or PC?

Posted On: May 1, 2023
Looking to buy this game but debating between Pc or Xbox. (Don’t have a steam deck) but leaning toward Xbox so I can play on the couch. Thoughts? Question from user mattgm1995 at HogwartsLega...[More]


Is there a downside to being in debt? Is there a downside to being in debt?

Posted On: October 5, 2023
In Sid Meier's SimGolf, I fell into debt after spending all my money. However, I can still continue building my golf course and buying land. Spending money just puts me further into debt. Is there...[More]


Can I skip the launcher when launching Baldurs Gate 3 from Steam? Can I skip the launcher when launching Baldurs Gate 3 from Steam?

Posted On: July 12, 2023
I don't want to have to go through the "Larian Launcher" when I want to play Baldur's Gate 3 in Steam. How can I skip it? Question from user Oak at stackexchange. Answer: To...[More]


What Is the Best Y Level to Find Ancient Debris? What Is the Best Y Level to Find Ancient Debris?

Posted On: July 18, 2023
I was playing the new 1.16 snapshot and was wondering where the best place to look for ancient debris would be. Question from user PuppyLover101 at stackexchange. Answer: The best Y-coordinat...[More]


How do I get Avada kedavra in Hogwarts Legacy? How do I get Avada kedavra in Hogwarts Legacy?

Posted On: March 17, 2023
So you're telling me the last spell I needed for 100 is no longer unlockable because I thought seb killing his uncle was wrong?! Like every other curse tells you if you do this you won't get i...[More]