So i have been trying a fast expand strat in the past couple of team games ... basically the build is 1 pylon then expand... obviously it dosent work very well if my opponents rush me ... but usually what i have my teammate do is rush / harass to keep them busy while i get the expo going ... once its up and running i have more cash than what i know what to do with in a since ... i use it but im able to mass whatever and upgrade rather quickly. Some useful tips on protecting a fast expand against a rush would be useful .. im still working on it but ive won like 3 out of the 4 games ive tried it in ... Anyone else use this strat? and if so how do you do it??
I don't really try and expand that fast, if your opponents are halfway decent they should be scouting it. When I've seen it done typically someone will go for cannons quickly to defend the nexus, though you have to be careful because speedlings can just run by the cannons and melt your probes. The only reason I can think of to do that is to rush high templar or something else that's gas heavy, or I suppose to press hard with a 6 gate.
The only way you can do that is if you scout and know that neither of them are rushing or if your teammate can defend you if one of them is rushing. However, in 2v2 they will try to rush like 80% of the time.. so I wouldn't focus on trying to force the build and would go for a quicker expand after you get a couple gateways down and some units to defend it.
I would say for 1v1, if you want to fast expand. Atleast build a gate and cybernetics for some stalkers. Pump out atleast 2-3 stalkers to defend your main base then expand to the others. Personally, if I don't get rushed I'm expecting them to be building a huge army, which is why I typically try to get off a quick little 1-2void ray and a few stalkers to rush their base. Make a warp prism, and it's game over. You can really place them in a good spot out of his field of view inside his base to just keep throwing out more and more units.
A fast expand is really tricky in 2v2, especially if you're not scouting. As mentioned, a forge with cannons is a good way to defend an expansion. Additionally, there are some maps that allow you to wall in your natural along with your main. Protoss has the best static defense of the races, so put it to use. And if you can use the forge to create a choke point then do that as well.
you guys dont need to harass, just block you base entry with getaways or forge and leave one probe out side and move him to other place and get another probe and build cannons behind the buildings, thats what i do and works and build probe's at the same time you build stuff to get a good income.
use zealots on hold position side by side, the zealot wall will keep out any zergling run-by. You need about 2 if you set your gateway and pylon properly. of course if you want to expand THAT fast, a zergling run-by will beat you every time...
ive seen a youtube video by HuskyStracraft where he did that early expansion....im at work now so..i cant really post it now, but ocne i arrive home ill search it...or you can just search it yourself if you want to =) (but ill search it anyways...) i guess it depends on the map you're playing...if it is lost temple then you can do that early expansion...just block the entrance with cannons... if you're in a map where you will be with two different locations...then it will be harder :s hope this helps you out sSoulSs
Using a forge and photon cannons across the gap into your natural can help. Also if you can help your ally with a smaller force of Zealots and try to hide the expansion, this will send your enemy into defense mode while you Macro, also you can try being agressive some proxy stuff just to keep them off guard! Good luck!
Its alot easier to fast expand in 1v1 than 2v2 or otherwise. If vs protoss and you see them wall in with cannons when you scout, thats a good time to expand. Especially if he made more than three cannons. If you see terrain wall off thats another good time to expand. (Especially if they make bunkers) If you see zerg get 2+ spine crawelers, thats a good time to expand. Basically if you feel your oponent is being overly defensive, expand expand expand. Or if vs protoss you see them throw cannons up, every cannon they make is 150 minerals they don't have for units, which means you could probably get away with werid builds, such as fast DT's, fast void rays, fast broad lords, or fast banshees. Just avoid their cannons and attack anything unguarded. Same goes for terrain's bunkers and turrets.
