Tactical Guide in Starcraft 2

Tactical Guide in Starcraft 2

“Tactics can be defined as, a sequence of moves which limits the opponent’s options and result in tangible gain. Tactics are usually contrasted with strategy, in which advantages take longer to be realized, and the opponent is less constrained to responding.”

(www.wikipedia.com)

Tactics and strategies are two very essential tools often used in every aspect of our lives, from military tactics to chess strategy tactics. From the definition above, we can clearly define strategies which is a longer term oriented goal. Tactics on the other hand, are used to justify and achieve a strategy goal. Let’s look from the Starcraft 2 point of view. We often implement both of these factors into your games with a common goal of winning the game. We can often define a strategy easily from the perspective of a specific build. Clear cut strategies involving certain specific builds such as 3 Gateway expansion, 1 Barracks expansion, 15 Hatch, 2 Gate Robo, Terrans 1-1-1 Destiny Cloud Fist build and the list goes on can often be told and analyze easily.We may also define a strategy such as aiming for a 3 bases Protoss max army strategy etc. On the other hand, tactics are used to achieve this specific strategy.

However, tactics are often considered to be the next level in the game of Starcraft 2. Everyone can perform a specific strategy, but only true Grandmasters of Starcraft 2 will fully utilized and understand the importance of Tactical knowledge. The main objective of tactics is forcing your opponent into a specific path decision. Thus, greatly reduces his options and limiting his play. Starcraft 2 is a real time strategy based game involving multiple different units and tech paths, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. We can generally group unit B is a direct counter to unit A, C to B, D to C.

Thus, with this in mind, our main goal of performing a tactic will be limiting his plays. If your opponent’s units are heavily based on A, it is best for us to build unit B. When he sees unit B, he will probably goes for unit C.

Often time’s players pay too much attention to a specific strategy itself, thus forgoing the tactical side involved. Players should understand a clear cut between tactics and strategies.

Let’s take a look into the examples below.

ProGamers Game

1. IMSEED vs oGsHyperdub in Clan IM vs Clan oGs GSTL (Global Starcraft Team League)

The greatest tactical game I’ve seen so far. If you havn’t watch this, I seriously recommend this game to everyone. Here’s a short recap. IMSeed spawns on the 12 o’ clock postion and oGsHyperdub at the 9 o’ clock position. Hyperdub the Terran player starts with a 1 Barracks into expansion without gas. A scouting SCV into the Protoss base revealed a second gas. Seed then, throws down a hidden expansion at the 3 o’ clock position, 2 more Gateways and researching Hallucination. Seed then Hallucinates an Immortal into his army mix of Sentries and Stalkers. When the Terran player sees this, he instantly put down an additional bunker and pulls a great amount of SCVs in preparation to repair. However, Seed smartly pulls back before taking any damage on the Immortal which will reveal that its being Hallucinated. A successful tactical advantage gained, from this fake Immortal with Gateway push. Seed throws down a second expansion at his natural pretending a failed Robo push. Terran in general will not push out at this stage of the game for the fear of Protoss’s army. But he did not know that the Protoss has put down a hidden expansion of his own and no Immortals are being trained.

2. oGsMC vs ZenexByun GSL RO 16 on Terminus RE

In this GSL game played on Terminus RE, oGsMC starts with a standard 3 Gate. On the other hand, Byun the Terran player opts for a 1 Barracks into expansion at a cross map spawn position. MC plays aggressively with an army of Stalkers/ Zealots and Sentries together with 2 forward Pylons in front of Byun. However, MC’s push doesn’t seem to be doing much damage to Byun. MC soon follows up by expanding himself not once but twice. In this game, we can clearly see that MC’s push tactic isn’t to all in but to put the Terran player in a defensive position. This often forces the opponent to get more units out for defence. MC’s plan was to get both his expansions up and running thus, winning the long macro war.

Normal Games

1. Protoss vs Terran (PvT)

In this matchup, we often see tactics used by the Protoss player where, the Protoss player goes for early Colossus, force Vikings from Terran. Protoss will then transition into High Templar. This is the most common tactic to force and limit the Terran’s play.

2. Protoss vs Zerg (PvZ)

The most common tactic used will be for the Protoss to go Stargate units; Phoenix and Void Rays forcing the Zerg to reach with Hydralisk. The Protoss player will soon transition into army heavily favoured on Colossus. Zerg is then face with a situation to get Corruptors to counter the Colossus.

3. Zerg vs Protoss (ZvP)

I have not seen this strategy much. Zerg starts with an early 8 pool build forcing the Protoss to be on defensive position by building a Forge with Cannons or a second Gateway. Zerg can soon expand safely behind the early pressure.

4. Terran vs Zerg (TvZ)

An early bunker rush supported by Marines trained from 2 Barracks often times forces the Zerg to build lots of Zerglings during the early phase of the game. Terran will then expand himself being ahead or equal in economy compared to the Zerg player.

5. Terran vs Protoss (TvP)

Setting up offensive Bunkers and Siege Tanks in front of the Protoss’s base significantly limits the Protoss line of play. You can then expand safely.

6. Protoss vs Zerg

A Protoss general strategy can involved aiming at a 3 bases 200 food max army. Thus, you will be using tactics to achieve this specific strategy goal by Sharking, Void Ray haress etc in limiting the Zerg player into 3/4 bases and building armies instead of Dronings.

Most of the time, pulling something unthinkable to your opponent will gain you enormous tactical advantage. Planning for a successful high level tactic requires immense amount of understanding and knowledge in Starcraft 2. Starcraft 2 is still at an early stage of the game. New strategies and tactics are being discovered everyday. Old strategies are being refined and tactics are being tinkered. You should now understand and realize the importance of tactical advantages in Starcraft 2. Your game plan should now involve both Tactics and Strategies and you will be a step closer to becoming a better player.

Through this, I am defining Tactics in Starcraft 2 as a way to achieve certain desired position of a strategy in the game.