1 Hatch Lurker (vs. Protoss)

[e][h]1 Hatch Lurker

Key unit for the Build Order

Strategy Information

Creator(s):

Unknown

Matchups:

ZvP

Type:

Opening

Popularized by:

Unknown

Overview

The 1 Hatch Lurker opening is an extremely aggressive Build Order and considered as all-in strategy. With Fast Expansion Build Orders (Forge first Builds) becoming more popular, the opening lost its meaning. However, in rare circumstances it can still work efficiently.

Build Order

9 Pool Variation "1 Hatch Lurker" 9 - Pool 9 - Gas @First 100 gas - Zergling Speed @Second 100 gas - Lair @50% Lair - Hydralisk Den @100% Lair - Lurker Upgrade How To: Read Build Orders

Early Gas, 10 Pool Variation "1 Hatch Lurker" 9 - Overlord 11 - Drones 11 - Extractor 10 - Spawning Pool 11 - Drones @100% Spawning Pool - 6 Zerglings @First 100 gas - Zergling Speed @Second 100 gas - Lair 15 - Drone 15 - Overlord @50% Lair - Hydralisk Den 19 - 4 Hydralisks 23 - Lings 23 - Overlord 25 - Lurkers How To: Read Build Orders

Notes

• The 10 Pool Variation aims for faster Speed Zerglings in order to shut down potential scouts early on

Application

The 1 Hatch Lurker Build Order can be chosen for different reasons. In the earlier days of Brood War it was a viable option to force an early game changing decision. Usually, the first six Zerglings were used to kill off a scouting Probe by Protoss and deny any further scouting information. By building up a solid Zergling force, the Protoss needed to play safe, since he didn't know what to expect off his opponent. With very early Lurkers the lack of units or buildings with Detection, the safe was in a position to exploit this weakness to decide the game within the first ten minutes. Especially careless attempts to take the natural earlier than usual could be countered effectively. The Speedlings were used to kill Cannons before they could warp in, to buy some time for the Lurker Aspect to finish. If a Protoss played safely, he also needed to sacrifice mining time, giving the Zerg chances to transition out of the aggressive Build Order slowly.

However, this strategy needed the Protoss to play off one base only. With the Fast Expansion Build Orders becoming more popular, the strategy were easily countered by Cannons securing the entrance to a Protoss base. If the Protoss positioned his buildings without much care, a massive timed attack with a greater number of Zerglings and Lurkers. However, if the attack failed, the Zerg was behind too much economically, rendering the attack to an all-in.

The strength of this Build Order for modern Brood War depends on the map and the opening of the Protoss. Theoretically, the logic of the Build Order can be used to completely counter an all-in rush with one or more Proxy Gateways. In this scenario the Zerg might cancel his Expansion Hatchery at his natural, switch to Sunken Colonies in his main and prepare for a faster Lurker Tech. This again exploits the fact that Protoss can't possibly switch to a higher Tech with a low economy, while having a relatively unsecured base.

In other scenarios the Zerg might still try for a less risky form of the all-in. If Zerg is able to shut down early scouting altogether, he might exploit certain map features. For instance, a massive timed attack described earlier on works with a bigger likelihood, if the maps feature wide chokes like on Fighting Spirit. Furthermore, maps like Medusa or Heartbreak Ridge offer a second entrance, which is initially blocked by neutral buildings. These can be destroyed manually with Lurkers. Maps like Destination also feature a second entrance, blocked by a few Mineral Patches. These can either be mined out by a Drone (a more obvious way), or be used to glitch Lurkers through the ramp. To force the glitch, two or more Lurkers need to be buried as close as possible to the Mineral Patch, in an ideal scenario exactly on top of each other (stacked burrying). If the stacked Lurkers are unburried and a move-command towards the main-base is spammed, one or more Lurkers might be pushed through the minerals. These can then be used to shut down both economy lines.

Countered By

Hard counter

• Protoss Fast Expand
• Any forge first builds

Soft counter

• One base Corsair/Reaver Build
• Safe play with an early Forge by Protoss

Counter To

Hard counter

• One Gate Tech strategies off one base

Soft counter

• One base play

Notable Maps

Strong

• Medusa
• Destination
• Python
• Heartbreak Ridge

Weak

• Blue Storm
• Fighting Spirit
• Most modern maps with narrow choke points

Notable Games

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	Date: 2009-06-09
gods garden	Patch: 1.16.1	VOD

	free	ClubDay MSL 2008
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	Date: 2008-10-23
Medusa	Patch: 1.15.3	VOD

	BeSt	Bacchus OSL
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	Date: 2008-01-30
demons forest	Patch: 1.15.2	VOD