Force Field Guide in PvZ SC2

I am still seeing lots of Protoss Force Field wrongly against their Zerg opponents in PvZ. Let's first analyze the Protoss vs Zerg matchup. For Protoss, most people will be utilizing the Stalkers, Sentries and Colossus with probably some Immortals being thrown into the mix. This is the most common unit mix you will be using and facing against in your online game opponents. However, there's some new variations such as Zealots and Archon mix popping up in the metagame currently or Air unit usage such as Phoenix and Void Rays. As for Zergs, we often seen Roach and Hydra mix, Zerlings with Infestors or Mutalisk builds.

Lets stick to the Stalker, Sentries, Immortal and Colossus ball. With this army mix, all your units have a range attack. The correct way to Force Field against Zerg players is to Force Field the front of their armies. Let's take a look at the snapshot taken below between TSLJYP and Dimaga in the recent IEM Guangzhou.

Here we can see JYP Force Fielding at the front cutting a few of the Roaches. The first rule is always try to cut off some army. Why do we do it this way? This is because Sentries have range 5, Stalkers and Immortals have 6. Roaches has 4 and Hydras has 6. With Force Field being thrown at the front, the Roaches will be having trouble to reach your army while your death ball will be dealing their maximum damage to the Roaches. You would always want to create artificial walls so that majority of the Zerg units can't reach your army. The Roaches that are stuck behind are totally useless in the battle. You can always leave a hole between your Force Fields to create a choke. If the Zerg is moving over the choke, cast another Force Field to block it and cut off fully.

Casting your Force Field before a major engagement is essential do dictate how the army engage. You can see lots of top Protoss players such as MC, Huk and Hero cast it preemptively before major engagements. Zerg can either fight the battle or turn around. If you manage to capture some units at the front, you have pretty much taken care of a part of  his army. If the Zerg plans to engage after the Force Field expires, repeat the same process. Force Field is one of the most essential skill in PvZ. Fighting head on against Zerg is the worst possible case scenario.

This way of Force Fields works perfectly against the Roach and Hydra mix. If you are facing against Baneling Bombs, always Force Field the front cutting off all armies. Target those Overlords with your Stalkers and Blinking back at the last second before the Overlord reaches above your Stalkers. This require some micro and do practice it.