PvP 3 Stalker Opening Build

If you played enough 1v1 Starcraft 2 online game ladder, you should realise that 4 Gate is the most common strategy for the Protoss vs Protoss matchup. It doesn't matter your in GrandMasters League, Diamond or Bronze, you will definitely be performing or defending against 4 gate strategies. Since the introduction of Tel' Darim Altar in the 1v1 online game map pool, 4 Gate is the only strategy available on this map. Probably close to 99% of players will utilise 4 gate on this map and on Scrap Station. This is due to the wide ramp, as it requires 2 Forcefields to fully cut off their armies.

There is no denying PvP is probably the hardest matchup for a Protoss player, as the match itself is very fragile. Often times, a simple micro mistake can cost you the game. A random build may win or lose you the match. For example, a Dark Templar build will fully triumph a Stargate build if left unscouted, a Robo build will counter a DT build, while a Stargate build will probably beat a Robo build. PvP is often considered rock, scissor and paper. The better player will not always win this matchup. Even most professional Protoss players do not like the current PvP matchup. PvP can often times turn into a mind games matchup where faking a specific build or fake 4 Gating works very well as Protoss lacks the scouting ability once Stalkers are out.

However, a new built that utilise a fast 3 Chrono Boosted Stalker is being used more and more often by high level players. This specific build is use to stall down 4 Gate's Proxy Pylon as far as possible from your base thus, giving you time to tech up. 3 Fast Stalkers with proper micro will repel 4 Gate's aggressive 1 Zealot and 2 Stalker before Warp Gate is done. More commonly will be 1 Zealot, 1 Stalker and a Probe by them as the second Stalker will be build after putting down 3 more Gateways.



The original source of this 2 Gate 3 Stalker build is unknown. We have seen players such as IMYongHwa and Minigun used this build long time ago. IMYongHwa's built involved getting 3 fast Chrono Boosted Stalkers out while getting a Robotic's Facility. This build will hold 4 Gate very well.

Here's the build

3 Stalker Opening With 1 Gas

• 9 Pylon
• Chrono Boost once
• 12 Gateway- Probe Scout
• Chrono Boost one more time (Save up your Chrono Boost from here)
• 14 Assimilator
• 16 Pylon 
• 17 Cybernetics Core
• 18 Gateway (The timing for your second Gateway will be when your Cybernetics Core is around 75% done)
• Stop Probe Production at 20.
• When your first Cybernetics Core is done, research Warpgate technology.  (Do not waste any Chrono Boost on Warpgate tech)
• Chrono Boost a Stalker out from your first Gateway. You will try to kill the scouting Probe with this. (You should be at 22 food including 1 Stalker and 20 Probes here)
• When your second Gateway is done Chrono Boost 2 more Stalkers making a total of 3 Stalkers +20 Probes at 26/26 food.
• Build a Pylon after you started the 2 Stalkers.
• Put down 3 more Gateways for a 4 Gate 1 Gas.

IMYongHwa 3 Stalker Robo Build

• 9 Pylon
• Chrono Boost once
  
• 12 Gateway- Probe Scout
• Chrono Boost one more time (Save up your Chrono Boost from here)
  
• 14 Assimilator
• 16 Pylon 
• 17 Cybernetics Core
• 18 Gateway (The timing for your second Gateway will be when your Cybernetics Core is around 75% done)
• Stop Probe Production at 20.
• When your first Cybernetics Core is done, research Warpgate technology.  (Do not waste any Chrono Boost on Warpgate tech)
  
• Chrono Boost a Stalker out from your first Gateway. You will try to kill the scouting Probe with this. (You should be at 22 food including 1 Stalker and 20 Probes here)
• 75% Stalker Assimilator (Second Assimilator)
• When your second Gateway is done Chrono Boost 2 more Stalkers making a total of 3 Stalkers +20 Probes at 26/26 food.
• Build a Pylon after you started the 2 Stalkers.
• After you place the Pylon, build a Robotics Facility as soon as possible followed by a Gateway.
• Build a Sentry Chrono Boosted.
• Your Sentry should be out right before Warpgate Technology is done and Robotics Facility will be done right after.
• Warp in two Zealots and spend 2 Chrono Boost on an Immortal.

If you pull off this build perfectly, you should be having 3 Stalker 1 Sentry 2 Zealots and an Immortal with a 3rd Gateway finishing on your ramp.

3 Stalkers = 3 Chrono Boost
1 Sentry = 1 Chrono Boost
1 Immortal = 2 Chrono Boosts


There are a few variations of this build from the two builds above. The variation will be the timing for your second Assimilator and the tech path chosen; Robo, 4 Gate, Blink Stalker or Stargate path. It is very important to determine your opponent's reaction after he saw your 2 Gate opening build. You can place two more Gateways down yourself for a 4 Gate of your own or placing down a second Assimilator, and going into a mid game PvP matchup with this opening.


This you should remember.

• Scout everywhere near your base for your opponent's proxy Probe and look for the Proxy Pylon. This is very essential while performing this strategy, as your Warpgate Research will be very late compared to a standard 4 Gate. You have invested your Chrono Boosts on your first 3 initial Stalkers
• Your 3 Stalkers should be as active as possible around the map
• Keep scouting your opponent's base with your Probe. As your 2nd Gateway is being built before your Cybernetics Core is done, you opponent will always scout your build. It is important to determine your opponent's reaction. 
• You would not want to go into a defensive position while your opponent put's down a second Assimilator and will be very much ahead of you in tech advantage.

I feel that the downside of this 3 Stalker build is that the build is very easy to be scouted as you will be placing your second Gateway before your Cybernetics Core is done. You will not have any Stalkers out to chase out the scouting Probe. With this in mind, your opponent will sometimes get into a defensive position and putting down a second Assimilator earlier than you. Thus, you should keep scouting your opponent's base for his reaction to your build.

Good luck in trying out this build. It works very well for the current PvP matchup and Starcraft 2 online games Battlenet.

This is a video done by Artosis on how to pull a 3 Stalker opening build. This will give you a good idea from this video.