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Date:  STRAT:How to defeat Dark Templar containment 
Kicksave 
SigmaPhiEpsilon144.Mines.EDU
Sun Jan 24 22:37:38 


SUMMARY:  This is a strategy that I have used with relatively good 
results for Terran vs. Protoss.  IMHO, it is very sound if executed 
correctly, and will give Terrans an equal chance against Protoss in 
the early game.  However, it takes a high level of skill to use, so 
do NOT flame if you have not yet developed the micromanagement 
skills, quickness, or rush defense experience to execute it.  

Start with a standard 2-rax build order, scouting often early.  An 
early zealot rush is EASILY defended by a few lone Marines.  A good 
wall-in, with SCVs to repair harassed buildings and "shield" 
the Marines are all the help they need.  (Don't whine if you aren't 
good enough to do this...great Terran players laugh at any form of 
Zealot rush).  You don't even need your primary bunker if you can 
manage decently and your opponent has any intention of teching.  Now 
from your scouting, you should be able to tell which way the Protoss 
is climbing the tech tree, probably either Dark Templar or Reavers.  
Either way, build a few Vultures first.  If he is going Dark Templar, 
you need to start laying mines between his base & yours.  If 
possible, start laying Mines near HIS exit area/ramp, rather than 
yours.  Always lay mines in groups of at least 3 (4 is better but a 
hassle), so that small groups of Dark Templar on attack move cannot 
destroy them without taking damage.  Stagger them away towards your 
base.  Place your leftover Vultures near your frontmost set of mines 
to pick off Zealot scouts.  It costs him much more in terms of 
minerals and time/tech to disarm the field with numbers  of Zealots 
than it does for you to lay more mines.  Depending on how well he is 
defended, you may choose to peon raid with your Vultures instead.

What this offensive mining strategy does in essence is to keep the 
Protoss from expanding safely until mobile detectors are available 
(like turrets, it's too expensive to use pylons and cannons to detect 
them.)  It's like giving the Dark Templar loving Protoss a taste of 
his own medicine.  However, the best result of the strategy is that 
it short-circuits the Dark Templar rush, allowing you precious time 
to expand and tech.
You can build the Academy later, too.

Case 2:  Your opponent likes Reavers more than Dark Templar.  Same 
situation here.  Drop of a load of mines somewhere near the fron of 
his base, and research siege tech immediately (you'll still beat his 
Reaver).  Siege one tank by your primary bunker at home, and build 
more.  Pump out Marines and Vultures at the same time.  Once you have 
a few tanks and Vultures, and a good number of Marines, take an SCV 
and begin your tank push at his front door, where you laid Mines 
earlier.  Keep pumping units at home, and build a bunker and some 
turrets as needed.  This push tactic is extremely effective, and 
almost unbeatable if you get Medics and Firebats.  Many of the top 
players in the game claim it is unbalancing (I don't think so, 
though).  The best counter to this push is a combined Zealot/Dragoon 
attack (Reavers don't work anymore, and Dark Templar are too 
expensive to waste rushing a well-mined tank push), assuming your 
opponent is competent enough to change strategies on the fly.  A few 
mines laid in your main, or a turret will stop any desperation 
drop/Dark Templar attacks at home.  Just remember to keep pumping 
troops and laying mines in support of your push.

There you have it.   Again, you really have to be skilled in Terran 
micromanagement to make it work at its best (in contrast to a cheesy 
easy Dark Templar containment, which anyone can do, but few can 
counter), but if done correctly, it'll take a very good Protoss 
player alot of effort to counter it.  So work at this strat and burn 
Aiur.

Kicksave